The Kindness of Strangers

Is that a cliche?  Well, if it is, it's a nice one.

Today, I'd like to share with you, Google, the nice things that some random strangers have done for me over the years.  Mostly just because it makes me happy to remember those times.

EDINBURGH
A few years back, my friends and I were wandering groggily through the streets of Edinburgh, looking for our little hostel.  Suddenly, a doorman working in some random building on a corner we were passing came running down the steps and asked if he could be of any assistance.  I didn't think we were being that obviously lost, but this nice, old fellow must have had an eye for people in need.  Not only did this gentleman point us in the right direction, but he stayed on the street, looking after us to make sure we turned down the right street.  As we turned the corner, I looked back (quite the distance at this point), and saw him nod contentedly, no doubt still smiling kindly, as we disappeared around the bend.

SANGGYE
One cold, winter evening, my companion and I met a middle-aged woman on her way home from the market.  We said hello, and she responded to us like we were her own daughters.  I'd never met anyone so kind - and I couldn't even understand anything she said.  As we said goodbye, she opened her bag and handed us each a small bag of chips, insisting that we take them home with us.  She didn't buy those chips just to give away - but she did without restraint and with joy.  But to us, the gift of her genuine kindness far outstripped the value of the chips she so generously gave.

VIENNA
It was Christmas time in Vienna (which means November...they start celebrating early).  Some locals and I had just gotten back from ice skating under the stars, and we were wandering happily around the Christkindlmarkt.  There we were, casually looking at some of the beautiful little ornaments at one of the stalls, when the old man tending the shop leaned out from behind a curtain of glass balls, wooden stars, and paper angels and handed us each a tiny little angel ornament.  "For the beautiful girls," he said, smiling kindly, and retreated back behind his baubles.  He didn't expect us to buy anything and he certainly wasn't flirting.  He was just being kind.    

LONDON
Now this was a very unexpected display of gallantry.  I suppose "gallantry" would be a strong word to some, but I like it.  Some girl-friends and I were sitting in a restaurant which boasted the "sexiest fish-n-chips in Notting Hill."  There was a group of semi-drunk young men at a table across the room, getting a little boisterous.  They got up and left just a minute before we did, and were playfully(?) fighting right outside the building.  We opened the door and nearly walked into the middle of the whole thing.  But the instant they caught sight of us, all six of them stopped immediately and parted to each side, and apologized with a "sorry, girls!"  We walked safely through the pack, and once we had gone a safe distance away, they returned to their squabble.  I don't know about you, but I like trouble makers with manners.    

OREM
Kind acts don't always happen abroad either.  Even in my own neighborhood, strangers (but more often friends and neighbors) have reach out to do simple, kind things as well.  One instance of when a stranger went out of his way for me happened when I was just a little girl.  I was playing out in the driveway when I fell and scraped my knee.  I was sitting on my front steps, crying, when a police car pulled up in front of my house.  I was afraid I was going to be arrested (just because), but instead, the policeman squatted down and handed me a little stuffed bear wearing a police department sweater.  His kindness swept away all my fear and pain and put a smile back on my face.

Don't you feel good now?  I sure do.  Thanks strangers.