We've seen the viral videos of strangers giving $100 tips to servers at diners and read articles about people who risked their lives to help a stranger. While these are amazingly kind actions and these people deserve to be rewarded, a stranger can make a difference in our life by simply being kind. This is a list of twelve strangers that have made a difference in my own life just by being extra polite. A little extra kindness can go a long way.
1. The kind lady in front of me at Starbucks who saw I was in my work uniform. She offered for me to go ahead of her if I had a shift to get to. I had plenty of time on my hands, so I thanked her and told her that. But she made me smile because she was so thoughtful and so willing to help me, a complete stranger.
2. The customers I served that took the time to have an actual conversation with me. Instead of treating me like a server who simply took their order and brought them their meals, they treated me like an equal, a friend.
3. The worker at the pickup counter of CPK who gave me a free raspberry lemonade while I waited. (It tastes even better when it’s free)
4. A driver who had the right of way but stopped to let me go after I had been waiting at a stop sign for a long time. How many times have you seen crazy drivers on the road? Yet there are still strangers like these who are cautious and considerate drivers.
5. The cashier at the grocery store complimented me. You know when you're not sure about something, but then you get complimented on it by a complete stranger who has no idea of your insecurity? Greatest feeling.
6. The women driving who had stopped at a busy intersection to let a girl and her dog across the street (even though she didn't have a stop sign).
7. A driver who I made eye contact with before they smiled at me. Because as I said, there's a lot of crazy drivers these days.
8. The mom and her little girl who stopped to see if I was okay AND give me a hug when I was crying. They asked if I was okay, asked if they could give me a hug, and the toddler reassured me “everything will be okay.”
9. The underclassman who I saw in the halls of my high school all the time and always smiled back (even though neither of us knew each other). I never knew seeing a stranger smile back could make me feel so happy. There was no way a person who saw his smile would be able to resist smiling back.
10. A man who told me my gas tank was still open… Because we all forget to close it at least once, right?
11. When a customer tells me they love that I'm always smiling, and loves my smile.
12. An older gentlemen who held his umbrella over my friends and I as we waited to cross the street in the city.