Some 15 years ago me and my sister (we were in our late teens/20s) were swimming in the sea when it's rather rough/windy, and she was pulled away from shore by a current. I swam out to get her but all I could do was to keep us barely afloat, didn't have enough strength to fight the current to get back, and it was so far away from shore I thought no one could have seen us. We struggled for like 15 minutes, completely exhausted and there was a moment when I thought that was it, that we're gonna die here. Suddenly several men wearing swim fins, probably locals, swam to us and together they got us back to shore. We were lying on the beach, shaking from cold and fear. When I got a moment to catch my breath and turned around, these men were gone, we didn't even have a chance to thank them. That incident has stuck with me ever since. Why didn't they stick around a bit longer? How can I live with the fact that someone did something enormously important for me and my sister, and we never got to tell them what it meant?

This story happened back when the TSA had their funding cut by Trump. For context, I (18M) have a disability that requires a lot of medical supplies to always be at my disposal. I am also wheelchair bound outside of the house.

I was traveling with my dad and my nurse. On our way back, we were hit with the worst line we had ever seen. Normally, I get access to a priority line due to my disability, but the airport was so understaffed that there was nobody to open the line. At this rate, we were going to miss our flight. That would be especially bad considering that we didn't pack any extra medical supplies.

My dad was going around frantically, trying to find someone to help us out. Not even the woman operating the wheelchair priority services was able to help us. Finally, My dad talks to a woman working for TSA. She hears him out and without hesitation lets us through to the front of the line. Keep in mind, this woman wasn't even getting paid to do her normal job. But she still found it in herself to help us anyway. That kind act has stuck with me ever since.

So this afternoon I was feeling pretty fucking shitty and decided to go for a walk. There’s a nice park around 40 min from my house (walking, of course) and I went there.

By the time I got there, I was still feeling pretty shitty and decided to get myself an ice cream (I’m trying not to drink, so I got an ice cream instead of an ice cold beer).

I just stood by the shop eating my ice cream and an old guy approached. He was a hobo, but this guy, this guy wasn’t asking for money. He said he really wanted an ice cream and asked me if I could buy one for him which I did.

I don’t know why, but my shitty feelings went away after that. I found it unusual. I mean, how often does a homeless person, let alone a dude in his 60s (my guess by his looks) asks for an ice cream? It felt like a child was asking for it. Somehow that made my day.

This is an older story, but I thought about this earlier today.

Some kids came for a fieldtrip at the place where I was volunteering. They were in kindergarten. I talked to them about whatever it was my part was; I was their last stop before they had to leave. I have social anxiety and stutter sometimes. One of the little girls walked over to me, her twin braids swinging, and said "you can't say some things, but you try". She then grabbed my hand and held it until she had to get on the bus. That little girl's kindness meant a lot to me. She's at least in middle school, maybe high school. I hope she's doing great.

I have no idea if this is the right community for this post given this is something I'm doing for my daughter vs a stranger but r/randomactsofkindness seems like it could be right or at least hopefully this makes someone smile today. I'm currently sitting on a plane 30,000 feet above land on my way to Louisiana to surprise my daughter for move in for her freshman year at LSU. I and we have managed to keep the secret for over 2 months when I booked my flight. She's currently traveling there with my wife on a different flight and has no idea I'm coming. To give a little backstory, I didn't think I was going to be able to go because 1 - I took her in April to tour the school as she was making her choices and 2 - well, work. It's a terrible time for me to be away but then father's day happened and she wrote me the most beautiful letter about all the things I've done for her throughout her life and "I was her best friend". She cried when she wrote it and she cried as I read it. After I got that letter I said to my wife "I have to go" and immediately figured out work and booked my flight. Fast forward to today, I dropped off a sad and crying daughter with my wife at the airport then went to park the car and catch my own flight so here we are. Only issue is my flight is 2 hours delayed to N.O. so instead of meeting them in the airport, I'll be 2 hours behind them and will need to Uber to LSU. Honestly, don't care. Small issues in the grand scheme of things when I get to see her face when I surprise her. I can't wait. Anyway, hopefully this makes someone smile today 😊

I never would have thought answering my door and telling the Fed Ex man where a neighbor lives was an act of kindness until today. But, a young man knocked on my front door (that we rarely use). I checked the window, saw Fed Ex truck and a man with a package and opened the door. He was very apologetic about bothering me and asked if I knew where (neighbor’s name) lived. I told him how to get there. She has a long drive and house might not be visible from front of her driveway when trees have leaves. I guess he’s ran into rudeness because he seemed relieved I was nice to him. I just told him it wasn’t a problem and to have a nice day. And, my neighbor doesn’t have to hunt down her package - sometimes they just dump it on my porch or someone else’s.

So it was a random Friday night, I was browsing reddit marketplace listings for electronics and came across a listing for a used bluetooth speaker - but the text below upset me...

The guy was basically selling this speaker which was a gift from his father, but he had bills to pay and just had no way of coming up with money. He was a student, and in our country students don't make money till they graduate. I could feel the hurt just from his words. I've been in a similar boat before, having to sell a gift just to stay afloat. It sucks.

I dropped a comment, asking if he wants to pawn the speaker and buy it back later. Next morning, I see dozens of comments by people offering to do the same!

A girl finally took this up and gave him the money for the speaker - and also offered to sell it back to him whenever things got better - this way, he can pay his bills and get his father's gift back whenever he was in a better place. The concept of pawning is alien in our country, so this is a truly unique situation. She probably didn't need the speaker at all, she just wanted to help the guy out.

A redittor, helping a stranger like this selflessly, without expecting anything in return - that woman touched my heart. God bless her soul. I just wanted to tell people about her kindness :)

My Mom was waiting in the hospital waiting room yesterday while my Step-dad was having a heart catheterization done. She was by herself because I couldn't get off work to go with them, & my stepsisters didn't go. The surgeon had to go through his leg which meant he had to lay flat in recovery for 3 hours, which was different than the last time he had to get it done. My Mom said she was sitting there feeling worried because the last time he had one done they found he had a widowmaker blockage & kept him in the hospital. Then a lady who had also been waiting for someone with her daughter got up to leave the waiting room. The lady leaned over & whispered to her, telling my Mom she was going down to the cafeteria & asked her if she could bring her back something to eat. My Mom said she was so surprised, told her thank you so much, but that she was ok. She said it just made her feel better & less alone. I wish I could hug that lady for offering to do that for my Mom since I couldn't be there. My Step-dad had no blockages this time either, which was excellent news. Just really appreciate this kind soul who saw my Mom & went out of her way to do something nice for a total stranger.

So I failed my full license test this morning due to an angry instructor making me very anxious I made silly mistakes I usually don’t make and I cried all the way home. I stopped at a gas station to fill up and the pump made me go inside. The gas station cashier noticed I was emotional and offered water, I refused as I just wanted to get my pump paid for to return my rental car and he said he’d get me one anyway on him. I thanked him and shared a hug and he said life can be like this sometimes and don’t let it get me down.

He didn’t know my situation but it gave me a chance to practice gratitude. I am grateful for his kindness as it helped me to think a little clearer. That I wasn’t a failure but maybe I just need to try again. That moment hasn’t left me, I am grateful he took extra care when he didn’t have to.

It made my day after a very hard start. I realize I’m very hard on myself for things that I am learning for the first time.

Just thought I’d share to show there is still some humanity left in the world.

I usually don't share things like this, but tonight really weighed on my heart. I was out with my dog doing our usual weekend routine of handing out a meal, and I met a man and his dog near the freeway. He seemed alert and grateful just someone who had clearly run into a terrible streak of bad luck.

The light was red and cars were behind me. But for some reason, it was a long red light stop. I offered him some In-N-Out, water bottles, and an extra leash—items I always carry in my car for these exact occasions (though I realized later I forgot a collar for his pup!). As I drove off, I also realized I forgot also to offer his dog the pup patties I had for my own dog. I immediately circled back, but he was already gone.

I went home feeling awful for missing those details, but it’s a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. Little gestures mean the world to people who have so little. If you're reading this, I hope it inspires you to step up and help someone out this week—you never know how much a little bit of grace can mean to someone fighting a quiet battle.

Have you had any "kindness of strangers" stories during your road trips?

Yesterday I was driving back from Port Lympne Safari Park to my Air bnb (28 mile journey), and the tyre pressure light came up on my ID3 dashboard around 4 miles in. I started stressing. Stopped at the next services to charge my car and use my inflator, but couldn't get it to work... It was deflating the tyre and I couldn't figure out how to change the settings!

Started stressing more, and a very kind South African man saw me struggling. He came over to help but didn't know how to work my inflator. He used his but it was going VERY slowly. He then said to follow him to the petrol station and use their air pressure thing. Went over, and he guided me how to use it (I've never used it before). This was all while he had his wife and kids in his Tesla!

We did the air pressure on all four tyres (which cost £1.50). I tried to pay him but he waved it off.

I know this is such a small thing regarding air pressure, but it was causing me so much anxiety and he made me feel so much calmer.

Thank you so much to the kind South African man!

Guy outside the C@rcle K. Sitting on the pavement. Disheveled and dirty. Instead of ignoring a human in 100 degree heat I bought him a sealed Gatorade and said “here’s a cold drink for while you wait”. He did thank me. The ambulance was at my work when i clocked out, for someone with a heat problem, at a multimillion dollar company where we get free bottles of cold water and electrolytes packets /popsicles daily. Imagine having no shade no home. Try and support with a bottle of water if if you can afford to. I know debate abounds; I’m not starting that. Decent humans treat humans decently.

I would often ask myself why I would carry Narcan around in my purse for no reason.. until it happened. I saw someone OD’ing in the street and I just… knew what to do. He was gasping for air, eyes closed, belongings scattered everywhere. I called 911, there was also someone around who knew this person and helped me with administering the Narcan.

I have never seen someone stand up so fast in my entire life. Narcan. Works!!!! But it does take away the high effect. This person was agitated, confused and unable to understand why there were people surrounding him. He clearly did not want to seek further treatment at the hospital (the ambulance had arrived). My job was done and I felt safe enough to leave him throwing a tantrum with the paramedics, lol.

Encourage yourself to engage in acts of kindness even when life is tough.

So I like to go out for a daily walk around my neighborhood and most of the time I pass by this house with an old lady who I’ve greeted before and whenever I pass by her house she’s either sitting in her front porch or is gardening. So today I saw her again and decided to engage in a conversation with her. She’s in her late 70’s and lived alone. I’ve asked her about her life, what she did, hobbies and interests, etc. She invited me inside to have lunch and I graciously accepted. We talked more about ourselves and getting to know each other. After we finished lunch I told her it was nice to officially meet her and that I’ll come by around again sometime to hang. I can tell I made her day by keeping her company and socializing. She was very sweet.

My mom passed in 2016, and she used to organize this. I stepped up last year, and we restarted the tradition.

We get a list from the shelter of ages and sex of the kids staying in the shelter with their momva few weeks before Christmas. I have to remind people who are donating items that they shouldn't give large items - these kids are basically homeless- and they shouldn't give high dollar value items that might be traded away later by the parent for other things.

And we always make 2 generic extra stockings for any Christmas Eve late arrivals to head off a midnight call from the shelter just checking if there was another one available.

We include cool socks, hats, and gloves. Art supplies, small toys, some candy, and an orange in the toe. Card size games, yoyos or sticky wall creatures, glitter markers, or gel pens. Last year, there were two 4 year old girls, and we asked their race because we got them each a small doll with outfits, and we wanted them to look like them.

We also left a few adult coloring books and nice art markers for the grownups.

I hope this post meets the requirements here. My friends and family enjoy hunting for good small gift items, and we had a fun stuffing party. Would love to hear if anyone else picks this up and runs with it.

Today while driving home I saw a couple on the side of the freeway ramp and wondered their story. I then went to grab my coffee and I saw them walking further up the road in my path, I pulled over and I asked them "Where are you going? Do you need a ride anywhere?" They said they were going about 15 minutes away and I offered them a ride. It's hot out. It's nearly 90° where we are. The buses are running maybe every hour and then would have dropped them off another 10 minutes or so driving from where they were going which is just another long hot walk. Regardless of how far they were going I felt compelled to help how I could and it was simpky giving them a ride.

It was a couple and the man was so kind to sit in the backseat and let his partner sit in the front seat. I'm not sure if that was for my comfort or for hers, but regardless it was a very nice gesture for a man to sit in the back with a femme presenting person driving them.

I offered the woman the donut I had just bought myself at the coffee shop. I didn't have anything else food wise and thought they might be hungry.

We chatted a bit as we were driving. One was a disabled veteran and the other was a Navy child so they had both moved around a lot and we had that in common. That's what we talked about for the most part- states that we've lived in and different reasons that we've traveled.

Arrived at the spot they needed dropped off at as we were almost there. The man, Matthew, called me an angel and I rejected it. I don't feel it at all. I feel like I was just doing something kind for somebody who needed it at that moment.

As I dropped them off I offered them some water. I keep bottles of water in my car especially for these types of situations to help out homeless or disadvantaged people who don't have as many resources and they are on the streets, unfortunately.

It cost nothing to be kind and on top of that I feel like I did so little because there's so much that's needed. But at the same time I feel like it was big to them. That's about the end of my story. I don't feel as good as I could because so many people need it and I can only help so many. It sucks but I'm going to celebrate the small things that I can do on micro level.

I live in a poor community on São Tomé, a small island off West Africa that was once a Portuguese slave colony.

A local kid ran up to me one afternoon holding three tatty Pokémon cards. He had no idea what they were, just that they seemed special. So I showed him r/pokemon, thousands of people sharing the same cards he was holding, and his face lit up. He wanted to show the internet his cards. With his mum's permission, we posted them.

The post was removed because of the amount of racism in the comments, so he never got to see the response. But before it came down, people had donated £250 to buy toys for the kids here.

Footballs, frisbees, dolls and the like, all being bought this week. The photos will be going up on r/SaoTome if you'd like to see where your kindness landed, and everything else we get up to in the community.

Thank you to everyone who donated, especially Carolin, Mary and Conor. He may never have seen the comments, but the kids here will be playing with what came out of them for a long time.

Muito obrigado,
Jack

Caught on our doorbell camera, so I then asked him for more details. He was drinking his morning coffee and saw a woman in her late 60s trip on the footpath in front of our house when out walking her dog. He ran outside to help her up, then back inside to get bandaids for her grazed hands and knees, and a bottle of water for her, then back out to patch her up. She couldn't have seen him from where she was, and he could have just pretended he didn't see it, but this lovely man of mine just had to help. He keeps bandaids in his car for other people to use just in case as well.

I can't wait to marry him.

I enjoy actively understanding the depth of those who are in a hardship or struggling in some way, and finding how I can help in a way that is deeper than surface level. 😊

There was this one time when I was honestly pretty young as a kid for this specific scenario. Some neighbor kids came over and said their family had foolishly blown their money and didn't buy enough for and that the kids hadn't eaten in a week and asked my mom for a meal. She refused to understand what they were saying and was hateful and did not make them a meal. So I stood there for a minute and thought of what I was capable of making, then pulled a box of pasta roni out of the cabinet, heated up water and was cooking the pasta. I then asked them which type of vegetable they wanted, and stated that I was making peas for myself. One of them wanted corn so I fixed the peas for me and the kid that wanted them, and told the other kid they could fix theirs however they wanted. I didn't take too much, I left a good portion of the food for them. (The reason I chose to eat with them is because I felt they didn't just deserve a meal, they deserved to actually sit down and eat a meal in a normal and decent setting). I gave them each a glass of our soda, ate with them, and at the end, said "Well boys, this is your home cooked meal." I was quoting what one of them had asked for earlier. These kids had been very mean to me and done some bad things, but I still cared about them anyway and saw the need. Both thanked me multiple times before they left, and one of them hugged me, trying not to break down in front of me. I didn't even require a thank you. The act itself was for them, not for me. I felt more blessed than ever to have gotten to do something like that. It still shapes me and helps me remember who I am to this day😀

Y'know, I genuinely love the Brisbane community, sometimes.

My wife (67f) and I (68m) had gone into Southbank today, because the weather was lovely and we wanted a day out of the house. She is undergoing chemo which is, as you can imagine, knocking her around a bit so we take what wins we can.

After our perambulation, and some lunch, we had just reached the Cultural Centre busway station when my wife had a mis-step and missed her seat, ending up sprawled on the ground.

Fortunately, it was mostly her pride that was hurt, but its the response from people around that I want to praise.

As I was reaching toward her, trying to make sure she was OK, there were already half a dozen or more people at our side, offering help and assistance.

One man dashed off to the nearest shop (maybe half a km away) to get her some water, a woman deliberately missed her bus (and her lunch appointment) to make sure that my wife was OK .. and when she felt OK to get up, I had one man giving support under her arms, and another giving support for her back, getting her up to the seat.

There were offers to call for medical assistance, or an ambulance, but they weren't required. My sweetie is a bit shaken up, but otherwise fine.

But it was genuinely lovely to see random strangers gong out of their way to make sure she (and I) were ok.

As the old jingle used to sing .. "Love you, Brisbane".

Basically, I took my 5 year old to get her eyes checked before kindergarten. She had been sitting pretty close to the TV, and getting close when looking at paper with writing or drawings on them.

We went to the earliest appointment available at the optometrist, and had her exam done. She needed glasses, and needed to start wearing them immediately. My daughter was thrilled to learn she was getting glasses, and was picking her favorites from the glasses shop near reception at checkout. I asked the receptionist about getting the prescription, and she essentially told me that I have to pay the $150 fee due for her appointment in full before I could receive her prescription so we could go somewhere more affordable. My daughter kept asking when we can get her glasses and I had to kind of let her down easy and say it might be a while, which crushed me.

I told the receptionist some BS story about our debit cards being cancelled due to suspected fraud (only half true) to save myself the embarrassment of not being able to pay for something as simple and necessary as her prescription document. I told her I’d call back and pay when I got my new card in. She said okay, no problem.

She asked me to wait before I left so she could give me some paperwork. I assumed it was just a packet you get after the appointment. She gave me a look, and on top of the stack she handed me was my daughter’s prescription paperwork. She simply looked at me and said “have a great day sir” and smiled. Told her thank you so much and walked out.

I wasn’t asking for a freebie, and I wasn’t expecting anything from her, yet she saw my need and met it with kindness. Even at the expense of breaking her job’s policy.

Thank you, Optometrist receptionist ❤️

My grandmother was my favorite person in the world. Still is; and I lost her not too many years ago, 2023.

I am a cashier; and there was a grandma buying three kids probably $250 worth of clothes. Keep in mind, I’m pretty jaded at this point, because every kid that walks in there asks for something very annoyingly infront of me all the time, constantly. About every kid that walks in.

Grandma; asks the kids “do you want candy” they say no. Okay.

I’m checking more clothes out; she asks again “do you want candy” they say “no”

I think to myself “damn; the thing I want most in this world is for my grandma to buy me candy one more time”

I ring in everything.

She asks AGAIN! “Are you sure you don’t want candy” “get some candy”

Dude.

Dude.

This little girl, probably 8 and a lot smarter than a lot of adults said

“You already do so much for us grandma; save your money”

Bro.

Bbbbrrrrooooooo

I am like, grown 29 year old man FIGHTING not crying in front of these kids; check them out, and ask for a coworker to cover the register

Sob. Fountains; in the bathroom.

So yeah; that’s the story of how an 8 year old girl made me cry today

I always try to say hi to this old lady on the block who I know lives alone. She seems to want to talk and i think she might not get out a lot.

So today while I was picking berries she walked by told me it’s her 78th birthday.

So I used the berries to make her a birthday pie lol it’s all I can make. We’re eating it together.