What is the nicest thing you have ever done for a stranger?

[Reigh Kaufman]

So...what did you do that makes you feel better about being one of 6 billion people on the planet? Whose life did you brighten for no other reason other than you felt you could help?

Spill, you misanthropes.

[electriclite]

This was in my early years of college, but I had just been let out of class and I saw this guy ahead of me who had one leg in brace and was leaning on a crutch while trying to carry this huge box-shaped object that wrapped in what looked like a laundry bag. Honestly this thing was half his height, and he was pretty tall. Needless to say he looked like he was struggling a bit.

I thought about just passing the guy by. He was actually much taller than me and I wondered if I could do any better given my height, but I thought fuck it, it'll be some small positive aspect from my life St. Peter can bring up when I'm at the Pearly Gates. I go up to the guy, not really seeing his face, I assume he's much older and say "Sir?". He doesn't respond "Sir?" and then he turns around and sees me. he's not old at all, probably in his early to mid 20's like myself. "I say "Do you need some help?". He gratefully accepts help from a girl, shorter than him to help him with the load. Turns out he's going to the exact same subway stop that I'm going to nearby. The box was a little cumbersome to carry, but not nearly as bad for me as it clearly was for him. We chatted a bit on our way to the subway. I can't remember all of it, but he did share how he hurt his leg and told me that he worked across the street at some video equipment store across from where I had my class and even said he would get me a discount if I ever needed anything. Later on my friend told me the guy was flirting with me, but my obvious self totally missed it.

Anyway, long story short, I dropped him off at the subway and I took the farther end of the train (its the less crowded) and that was that.

[RicochetShaw]

Whenever I see commercial trucks/semis that have the "How's my driving?" bumper stickers on the back with contact info, I usually call in and give a glowing report of the driver, sometimes making up stores of how they saved lives by managing to avoid an imminent wreck caused by some other irresponsible driver. One time I called a certain truck's number 4-5 times with different voices, giving several different stories praising the driver's heroism in the same fictional account. I hope that guy got promoted, or a raise.

[outsyder]

I occasionally do my part to add a couple bucks to other people's lottery winnings.

[Homyrrh]

Whenever I see commercial trucks/semis that have the "How's my driving?" bumper stickers on the back with contact info, I usually call in and give a glowing report of the driver, sometimes making up stores of how they saved lives by managing to avoid an imminent wreck caused by some other irresponsible driver. One time I called a certain truck's number 4-5 times with different voices, giving several different stories praising the driver's heroism in the same fictional account. I hope that guy got promoted, or a raise.
Nice? That's dishonest!

[Bourne101]

Something that is fresh in my mind is when I went to see Public Enemies recently and once it ended this woman in my row forgot her purse. I quickly walked out of the auditorium, approached her (she literally had no idea she had forgotten it) and let her know that she had left her purse in the theatre. She was very thankful. I would have picked it up and brought it to her instead of just telling her, but it wasn't worth the risk of her potentially getting pissed off for touching her purse. :D

[FLAME_ON]

I sometimes let strangers have sex with me.

But other than that, I helped a guy after a car accident find his glasses and waited for the ambulance with him.

[jackson13]

Back when I worked at a grocery store some guy came through my line and didnt have his savings card with him, thus everything was full price. I had my employee discount card on me so I used that, and he ended up saving over $56 on his groceries. I could have gotten in big trouble for that but the dude needed help (he was a recent parent and looked like death warmed over from exhaustion) so I gave the dude a break. Luckily I didnt get caught cause im sure that would somehow be interpreted as stealing.

[Tagia_Romero]

I donate blood on a regular basis.

[The Postmaster General]

I have a bunch, but the one that sticks out the most is when I was in high school, I was driving home somewhere with a couple friends and it was late-ish (11 or so) -- on the highway, we almost hit this guy laying in the road. We stopped to see what was going on - not sure what had happened; he wouldn't move, and there was blood. It looked like he'd already been hit by a car. So while my friends drove to a pay phone, I stayed with the guy and had to flag traffic to keep him from being hit. It was pretty nuts because people were honking at me and yelling, like I was being an asshole, but when they'd get up next to me (presumably to ask what I was doing in the road) they would see the guy on the ground, and would speed off. Out of probably 30 cars, only 1 person stopped to ask if we needed help. I told him what happened and he moved his car back a ways and put his hazards on - he pointed out that I was kind of hard to see too. Eventually the police and ambulance arrive, and me and my friends slip off after they say the guy was okay. We were honestly afraid of getting into trouble because before we came across the guy, we were up to no good. :)

[Tweek]

Hmm... One day, I was trotting home carrying my groceries. I saw someone sitting on a bench. They looked mighty blue. I reached into one of my bags, pulled out a pie, and handed it to the stranger. And that man was John Cusack.

But seriously... I don't know if I've done anything extraordinarily nice, but I have often given food to people asking me for change or I've bought some for them.

[Cop No. 633]

I honestly can't remember off the top of my head what's the nicest thing...

But a month ago I was walking to a Best Buy when I noticed two old women walking together. One of them was struggling to carry a desktop computer so when I got close enough I offered to carry it for her and she was more than happy to let me. I carried it inside for her and she thanked me a couple of times with a big smile.

I always feel good doing nice things for old people. I love cooking for my grandmother. She always enjoys it when I make her a nice meal.

[Heisenberg]

nothing really to write here about, i'm really just polite. I have never done anything on the level as some of you lot here. But I try to be polite and friendly to strangers. Unless they turn out to be a total cock.

[echo_bravo]

While I was at college, I was in the library and saw a wallet on the ground. It had like 60 bucks in it, but I didnt pocket it. Instead I looked up where the guy was located and gave him back his wallet.
He wasnt even that thankful either. He was just like "oh I have been lookin for that. Appreciate it."

[RicochetShaw]

Nice? That's dishonest!

Are those things mutually exclusive?

[BadCoverVersion]

I can tell you the nicest thing a stranger has ever done FOR ME because it's just happened right now.

It is around 7pm and I've just finished work and it's raining hard in Manchester (as per usual). I arrive home and realise that I need to go to the shop for some essential groceries...the nearest supermarket is around a 20 minute walk away and then I remember that a little shop has opened just around the corner which has quite a decent selection.

So I am on my own with my boy shielded by his rain cover and I eventually reach the shop (dripping wet because I'm unable to hold an umbrella over myself as I'm pushing a pram!!!) I grab some food and the essential bottle of vino and some milk for the obviously neglected baby all wide-eyed and fresh from his bath in a skeleton suit...and then I spot a sign which says that the card machines are broken so they can only accept cash. I have no cash...not a bean...Gah!!!

I look at the sign and ask the man if it is still broken. He tells me that it is but it is fine for me to take the groceries and pop in with some cash at a later date. Bear in mind that I have only been in the shop a couple of times before and this incredibly lovely Indian gentleman is basically putting his trust in me, a perfect stranger. I thank the man and initially refuse his kindness but he comes from around the counter, takes the basket from me and starts putting the items into bags. He says that he has seen me in the shop on a couple of occasions and he sees me pass by on a regular basis (this is true)...he says that I have an honest face and a very cute son who is obviously ready for his milk and bedtime (this is also true ;)). The man totals up the groceries and then prints me a receipt and says I am welcome to come in and pay for them next time I am passing. I insist on leaving my name and address and thank him profusely for his kind gesture.

I skipped home...my faith restored in human kindness. He really didn't have to do that and now I am sat here at 8:30pm, my son has just had his milk and is sleeping soundly and I plan on going into the shop first thing in the morning with the £19:07 that I owe the shopkeeper and a thankyou card as a token gesture.

I will now be frequenting this shop on a regular basis. What a lovely, lovely man.

[jackson13]

I skipped home...my faith restored in human kindness.


That is downright awesome. And sad at the same time because I know that if it were to happen ANYWHERE here in America the poor man would be taken full advantage of and ruined.

[Pentangeli]

I've helped an old lady carry luggage down stairs at the train station. I've given money to charity. I've given up my time to help tourists find their way. Whenever I take public transport, I often give up my seat to women or old people, sometimes I don't even bother sitting down in the first place. Once I helped push someone's car. Stuff like that.

[BadCoverVersion]

That is downright awesome. And sad at the same time because I know that if it were to happen ANYWHERE here in America the poor man would be taken full advantage of and ruined.

That did actually cross my mind, hence why I was so hesitant in accepting his kind offer. People here in this part of Manchester, and indeed the UK, are just as likely to do the poor fella over...but he was a youngish man and seemed to have his wits about him so I just hope this was an isolated incident and he saw my predicament and was acting on a gut instinct.

I would hate to think that he offered this type of goodwill on a regular basis and people took advantage of him, but somehow he didn't seem that foolish.

Maybe it helped that I greeted him cheerily on entering the store...and I have passed the shop on an almost daily basis since it opened about a month ago.

Whatever his reasons I completely appreciate his gesture and it really did remind me that there are truly decent people in this world.

[john_rambo]

I kicked a baby in the head the other day.

[jackson13]

Maybe it helped that I greeted him cheerily on entering the store...and I have passed the shop on an almost daily basis since it opened about a month ago.

I'm not trying to be a jerk or invoke some sort of stereotype or anything but I keep seeing the scenes in 'Shaun of the Dead' in my head, where Shaun goes to get Cornetto, before and after the Zombie outbreak. Little store that he frequents and passes by, foreign store clerk he is friendly with.....

[BadCoverVersion]

I'm not trying to be a jerk or invoke some sort of stereotype or anything but I keep seeing the scenes in 'Shaun of the Dead' in my head, where Shaun goes to get Cornetto, before and after the Zombie outbreak. Little store that he frequents and passes by, foreign store clerk he is friendly with.....

Hahaha...I can see where you made that connection...and the shop IS kind of similar in many respects.

I had a choccy Cornetto McFlurry after visiting an animal park the other week....twas tremendous.

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

Hmm... One day, I was trotting home carrying my groceries. I saw someone sitting on a bench. They looked mighty blue. I reached into one of my bags, pulled out a pie, and handed it to the stranger. And that man was John Cusack.
Ha ha! I saw that one coming! :D

I haven't done anything really extroardinary. Small favors and the such, but nothing really noteworthy, but I hope that one day I can say that I have. :)

[Shinigami]

I travel around a lot on bicycle, and one time while biking through the New Mexico state I stopped at a city intersection beside a sign holder in Albuquerque. We got to talking and I learned he was trying to earn enough for bus money home. Friendly guy. He thought I was homeless, or at least in a similar situation as his, on account of all the bags I was carrying. Before I could tell him otherwise he told me how I might be able to get a job holding signs for a few days. The employers pay most with food and give only a little bit of money, but it's something. He also told me the best places in the city to sleep the night, the worst places, the meth areas to stay away from, etc.

He came off as such a nice guy that when the light turned green I told him to "hold on", went into a nearby walgreens, took out 80 dollars from my account and then went back and gave it to him him so he could get home without having to waste any more time holding signs in the smog. It was enough to carry him across a few states (if I remember right he was heading far east where he had some family). That's one of the things I'm proud of myself for doing, especially because at the time I had only a small amount of money in my account to see me through the adventure. NM is hundreds and hundreds of miles away from any city where I knew people, any city where I'd previously lived, but nothing settles you more than a friendly stranger giving you helpful advice. So it was the least I could do in return.

[Batgirl1979]

The only thing I can think of recently is I was walking in front of our little plaza and the Postman was opening the bottom of the mailbox and all the letters spilled out everywhere, it was windy and they started blowing away. I kid you not, like ten people stepped over him and none stopped to help. I ran and collected the ones that blew away, then I bent down and helped him pick up the rest. He looked exhausted and grateful.

Whenever I see a stray cat/dog I always try and get them back to they're owners. The other day I saved a baby bunny from a cat while I was walking down the street. They cut down a forest by our house and there are bunnies everywhere now.

[SchizoidManiac]

I sometimes let strangers have sex with me.


ha ha... Nice:D

[Smarmy Douche]

I'm getting a kick out of this thread because while I worked at a grocery as a kid, a good friend of mine did the same thing for a customer that BCV experienced, and the person never came back. What an asshole. So, the guy is nice, but you're just as nice for following through with your word.

[FLAME_ON]

ha ha... Nice:D

Thank you. I'm glad someone likes my jokes.

[MightyCelestial]

I once killed a man.
Now I know that that might not sound very nice at first,
but I did manage to end his life in a manner that was both quick & painless (well... mostly).
And as anyone who has died by my hands would tell you (from beyond the grave, of course),
that's a pretty damn nice thing coming from me.

[NathanRomano]

I was on a team that built a house for poor Dominicans.
Once on a plane, this very annoying couple sat in front of me, and the dude barely spoke english. I'm pretty sure it was some dude she picked up in the Dominican Republic as a sex doll. So all through out the plane ride, they're flirtatious and taking pictures. When the plane lands and people stand up, I notice a cell phone under her seat. I returned it, even though I could have ignored it.

[athf1980]

probably giving some change to homeless person, opening the door towards old people at work, giving someone a ride home

[john_rambo]

I sometimes give customers extra (free of charge) if they are being nice (without telling them). I will however charge assholes that want two pounds and it ends up a little over cause technically I am allowed to do that and don't have to get right on a weight :D.

[Abbie Normal]

I give this homeless man $5 every time I see him. He makes the funniest signs. I give this guy like $25 a week. I should claim him on my taxes. I gave him money back on the late 90's and again for the last couple years.

I regularly help old people and shorter women get things off the high shelves at the supermarket.

[Natty]

I donate money to charity every now and then and I will help people carry things if they are struggling or pick them if they have dropped them.

Sadly though I can't think of any shining examples.

[Lady Stardust]

If i recall correctly. I gave this guy his key after he dropped it.