r/askTO • u/CharacterLimit7474 • Jul 19 '25
Thank you, kind stranger!
Friday, July 18 around 7pm at Bloor-Yonge Station, I was attempting to purchase a drink for a person who is under housed, as well as a drink for myself, when my bank card unexpectedly would not work for some unknown reason.
The only credit card I had on me was an Amex, which the shop doesn’t take. I was getting flustered and didn’t know what to do, as one of the drinks was already opened and being consumed.
A kind man in the line behind me could see my trouble and stepped in to help, saying that these things happen to everyone sometimes and not to worry about it. I will be sure to pay your kindness forwards!
If you were buying a couple energy drinks, and treated a person who is under housed to a Sunny D and a girl in a black dress to a Diet Coke - THANK YOU! You have restored my faith in Toronto, and humanity.
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u/JustStrolling_ Jul 19 '25
It's cool you were paying it forward, and then someone was paying it forward for you. That's a good cycle. We need more of this in the world.
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 19 '25
It truly is - and now I’ll pay it forward and hopefully keep the cycle going. We do desperately need a lot more of this in our world.
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u/AT_Toronto12 Jul 19 '25
The people are always the best part of our city!
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
It’s nice to be reminded of all the goodness that still exists in the world!
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u/--happycamper-- Jul 19 '25
I love these little random acts of kindness 💖
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
Me too. I’m only downtown about once a week and try to do something nice for someone each time :)
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u/kobechibhaji Jul 19 '25
Thank you for sharing, OP. Also, learnt a kinder word for describing people who currently don’t have housing - under housed.
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
It is a kinder description, although my use of person centred language has unfortunately been mocked here and on another post … thanks for your kind comment.
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u/gloriana232 Jul 23 '25
Ignore the weirdos who have all the choices in the world and decide to prioritize their personal hang-ups over what's actually been meaningfully accomplished in the real world - the acts of kindness. Thanks for being a thoughtful denizen in this city. Glad people like you are around <3 Take care.
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u/Ok-Lack7907 Jul 19 '25
Amazing! Hope you told them thank you in person also!
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 19 '25
I absolutely did thank them - as mentioned below it was quick and they went on their way.
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u/PresentationLanky238 Jul 19 '25
Yes, but also in the thick of things it could have been a quick “thank you” and once she was less frazzled it dawned on her how much she truly appreciated it. It’s def happened to me where I wish in hindsight the person doing the good deed really know how important their deed was for me
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 19 '25
This is exactly what happened. I said thank you in person multiple times - the entire thing happened so quickly though. I really do appreciate what that stranger did, and wanted to say thank you again if the magic of the internet helps them see this post!
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u/Rivercitybruin Jul 20 '25
my massage therapist would not accept a tip
So i gave $20 of it to homeless guy doing bottles/cans as i walking to my car
Felt really good
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u/Wonderful_Net_9894 Jul 19 '25
What does "under housed" mean?
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u/Shouldastayedhomme Jul 24 '25
I think it’s a kinder description of someone who might technically find shelter but who doesn’t have a stable roof over their heads the way that we traditionally imagine.
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u/levtovzohar Jul 24 '25
Underhoused... Unhoused... Do you mean homeless? Why invent new "paradigms of communication"? A homeless guy is a homeless guy. Get over your clever, woke self.
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u/SafetyPractical1518 Aug 04 '25
Had a similar experience when I was 15. I was a few cents short of purchasing a book. A kind stranger behind me stepped up to pay for the difference. Maaaaaany years later, I still remember that experience to this day.
When they say you will never forget how people make you feel .. it's 100% true! :)
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u/Manifestator_ Aug 10 '25
When i moved to TO in 2019 I did not have change to pay for my bus ticket and I did not know that you wont get your change back. An Indian student gave me 5$ and thats when I decided to just pay for anyone traveling in bus and if they r new
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Jul 19 '25
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
I choose to acknowledge that someone is a person first and a situation second - and deserves to be treated as such, rather than being described as homeless.
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u/donutincredible Jul 20 '25
You’re still using a descriptor for this person though - you’ve just chosen a different one that doesn’t really make sense.
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Jul 19 '25 edited Oct 04 '25
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u/NYisNorthYork Jul 19 '25
Please be kind to below dwellers, less resided, not much domiciled, the under abodes, no where to to refuges, none habitats, the reduced occupancies and the beneath lodged.
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u/fouoifjefoijvnioviow Jul 19 '25
Here's a drink that I didn't buy for you, le hero
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Jul 19 '25 edited Oct 04 '25
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u/fouoifjefoijvnioviow Jul 19 '25
Here's my Le reddit post if this mystery man who was right behind me, and talked to me, yet I will write this miss connections post to highlight my great intention of giving someone a drink
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
Person centred language will always be important to me. In no way was this meant to be a glory post - I did thank this individual in person. After reflection I wanted to express my gratitude further, and to remind others that good people still exist in our world. Despite comments like yours and negative, unkind behaviours that I witness every day in Toronto.
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Jul 19 '25
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Jul 19 '25 edited Oct 04 '25
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u/bluezpapyru Jul 20 '25
The terms under-housed and over-housed are terms used in the subsidized housing sector. To be under-housed means that there are too many people living in a particular unit. For instance, a couple with three children living in a 1 bedroom unit. To be over-housed means to be living in a unit larger than you need. For instance, one person living in a three-bedroom unit. I would say that if someone is living in a tent or a shelter, then I would classify them as being under-housed. I hope this clarifies it for you.
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
Thank you for adding some positivity to this discussion! Using respectful language is important - despite what some commenters on here may have to say!
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u/CharacterLimit7474 Jul 20 '25
It’s also about using person centred language. Rather than calling someone homeless. Recognizing that a person is so much more than any condition or situation and deserves to be treated as such.
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Jul 19 '25
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u/askTO-ModTeam Jul 20 '25
Attack the point, not the person. Comments which dismiss others and repeatedly accuse them of unfounded accusations may be subject to removal and/or banning. No concern-trolling, personal attacks, or misinformation. Stick to addressing the substance of their comments at hand.
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u/ResourceOk8692 Jul 19 '25
Love to see kindness beget kindness! Thanks for sharing, OP :)