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Little things we can do to make someone's day badass!
  • MaryPoppins25
    Posts: 1,686Member
    So I just thought it would be nice to share some of the simple things that make a big impact on your day. I'll start c:

    Be a considerate driver. I can't stress enough how one douche bag on the road can RUIN my day. So leave a gap for side streets and parking lots, don't run a red when someone is in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn left, give a little wave when a dogooder offers something considerate in the road world, after all it won't kill you to smile. Seriously one considerate driver can make my day, a string of considerate drivers makes my day absolutely badass!

    Do unto others as you would like done unto you. At line at the grocery store with a cart full? Person behind you only has a couple items? They'll be done in a minute, let them go ahead. Why not? They will be so grateful and guess what you'll get an instant buzz off your good deed! Talk about killing two birds with one stone c;

    Instead of asking if someone is sick or not feeling well tell a little white lie. So your friend/family member/coworker looks like shit, they could have rolled out of a bed in the terminally ill section of the hospital judging by their appearance. I bet they feel that way and know they look shitastic. Instead of reaffirming this feeling of total assbagness offer a little white lie to brighten their day. "did you get a haircut?" "is that a new dress" "wow somebody got laid last night!" who knows maybe they'll wear a smile the rest of the day and feel like a million bucks, and hey it can't hurt.

    Anyone care to join me in sharing how we can make the world a giant love fest of smiles, kisses, and hugs?
  • gamommiegamommie
    Posts: 348Member
    Hold the door for someone struggling with 100 things!
    Clean out the dryer vent for the person using it behind you.
    Give out random bottles of icy water to public servants.
    SMILE!!
  • WildandFree
    Posts: 1,599Member
    Seriously, just listen. I swear if some of the nurses I worked with just took five minutes and really listened to what their patients or family members had to say, it would make such a great impact!
  • WildandFree
    Posts: 1,599Member
    If you see a mom in the parking lot and her kids are throwing a fit, maybe offer to help her put away or groceries or to watch the spawn for a moment while she unloads. Barring a woman being very paranoid or upset about the intrusion.. Some might be really grateful :)
  • ChristyJChristyJ
    Posts: 883Member
    Be polite and nice at the drive through or restaurant.  You know, they may be idiots sometimes, but they get paid nothing to deal with all of our crap.  I always give a smile, tell them thank you and have a nice day.  I get extra good service at many places just from being polite.
    Imperfect and proud of it.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    if your checkout person  has a name tag  thank them by name!!! That brightens my day every time and people using my name and telling me i did a good job or what not totally rocks....
  • MaDhAtMoMmYMaDhAtMoMmY
    Posts: 165Member
    Be POLITE to people.  And smile, smile, smile.  Also be understanding if a waitress/waiter messes up your order or if a cashier gets something wrong, everyone messes up sometimes.  It really isn't that difficult to smile and say "that's ok" to someone having a bad day who messes up and it can make a world of difference.
    I ain't afraid to love a man, I ain't afraid to shoot him either! ~ Annie Oakley

    Would I rather be feared or loved? Ummm easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. ~Micheal Scott
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,316Member
    Tell every little girl you see today that she is beautiful. Trust me she will always remember it.
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • TottyCake
    Posts: 937Member
    I love your message of making other's days better @eapple!
  • ChibikoChibiko
    Posts: 2,693Member
    What a good idea!
    U R who U think U R

    "You were the truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all"
  • Rawrchu
    Posts: 516Member
    These are great!

    1. Pay for the coffee or drive through order for the person behind you. 
    2. Hold the door open
    3. Ask the cashier how their day is going and LISTEN to their answer
    4. Give HUGS!
  • popomomof3
    Posts: 137Member
    Please please please treat homeless people like human beings. You wouldnt believe how some people treat them like their mere presence is offensive.
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,316Member
    @popomomof3 very good point! These ppl are not disposal ppl on the side of the road they are someones mother,bother, sister, or father. Treat them like you would treat your most cherished love one. Dont judge them unless you have been in their shoes. U dont know their story.
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • mama2tutnkcmama2tutnkc
    Posts: 1,039Member
    @eapple you're awesome &I think I might wanna be like you when I grow up lol. That's the definition of what SM is about.. you ladies Rawwk!! My idea is if you see a mom alone with her kids at the grocery store, tell her it looks like she's doing a great job & how great her kids are (even if her can goods are falling out of her cart & 1 or more of said kids are screaming). At the end of the day we are all seeking approval in some form or fashion & some of us just need to know we are noticed..
    feels like *home* to me
  • MaryPoppins25
    Posts: 1,686Member
    These are awesome ladies! Some of these things I wouldn't have thought if myself others I do subconsciously or without notice. Props to all the considerate and awesome mamas!!

    @mama2tutnkc tip #1 to being like me when you grow up, NEVER grow up c;
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    It's hot as balls where we are.  We will sometimes randomly buy cold water and hand it out to people who just look hot/thirsty. Homeless people, people at the bus stop, people who obviously have to walk everywhere, moms bussing it with little kids.

    One day i saw a mom struggling with a preschooler and an older kid and an infant, on foot, and I just pulled over and gave her my cheapie umbrella stroller, on the spot. :)   It was only a $20 stroller anyway and my son was about to be too big for it.  It made us both super happy.

    I've been on the receiving end of things like this.. someone once paid for my groceries, after seeing me counting change to see if I had enough (I had my 2 kids with me who were little at the time).   I left in tears, I was so overwhelmed by that!

    Other times I've had people (when the kids were smaller) tell me how great they were and how well behaved and I am doing a great job, or comment to say "You are so patient with them!"  It is always so nice to be noticed like that.
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • CanadianMamaCanadianMama
    Posts: 9,614Administrator, Moderator
    @Rawrchu someone paid for my coffee order once (this was like two years ago!) it was one of the nicest things ever!! Made my year!!

    Give a stranger a compliment.
    Say Thank You to checkout people, waiters, bank tellers, pretty much anyone.
    If you see an upset kid, try and cheer them up for their parents, I love it when people try to help me by making funny faces at Rylee.
    Pass up on a close parking spot if you're physically fit, someone else may need it more than you. 





    community-manager


  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Something I read somewhere.... "lose" a dollar so someone else will "find" it.

    I once gave a homeless guy a big, long down coat I'd bought at a thrift store.  It was unusually cold out for our area but I did not NEED a down coat for sure. He cried!  he and his wife were camping out behind a Walgreen's after hours and he immediately took it to her and he was in tears.  I will also sometimes buy extra dollar menu items if I am eating fast food and then hand out a couple burgers to someone who is homeless and hungry.

    Tell someone you've known for a long time that they look the same as when you me. :)  My friend of 24 years recently said this to me and it was awesome.


    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,316Member
    This is why I love you @Charlotte_Sometimes I do the same thing I use to work downtown at the brady green I would always buy extra dollar menu food for my friends down at the bridge.
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • seamstressJ
    Posts: 724Member
    I don't drive, so I'm not out & about much & don't get many opportunities to play superman, but when I do, I jump on it! Once upon a time when I used to walk my dog around town every day it wasn't raining, I met the only homeless man I've ever known & from then on, would run into him on almost every walk & we got to know each other pretty well. His most common hangout was a bench in front of a pizza & sub shop, so one day when he was there, we bs-ed for a bit & then I mentioned I was hungry but could never eat a whole sub myself & asked if he wanted to split it with me if I got one. (since I knew him well enough to know he would be to proud to accept if I just offered to get one for him) So I handed him the leash, went & got a sub, & we sat on the bench, ate, & gabbed for a good hour. Best. Feeling. Ever!
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    I used to drive 45 min to and from work  and sometimes would stop in the Mcdonalds in a really shady area.  I was ordering one night and payed on my debit card  when getting my meal I saw a homeless man standing at the counter counting change to buy a coffee  they must have told him he didnt have enough or what not  and you could see tears in his eyes starting to form..  I kept emergency cash in my glove box  and i asked the woman at the window if the homeless guy  was still in there she said yes  so i handed her 20 bucks and said  tell him to buy a meal and make sure to give him the change back..   I parked to eat my dinner and saw him walk out  with a bag and a drink and a smile on his face.... it made my night  and i hope it made his too...
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    damn, this thread reinforces my goal of someday making really good money!  I know it doesn't take money to spread kindness but it helps! :)

    @deviltwinsmomma  that's awesome! :)
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • MegsueMegsue
    Posts: 1,848Member
    These are some great ideas! I pay for the person behind me a lot at the drive-thru. Especially if they're driving an old beat up car with kids. Not to sound judgy, but someone driving a $500 beater usually doesn't have a lot of spare money. If they're driving an Escalade...they can pay for it themselves!

    A few times I've pumped gas for elderly folks or parents with cranky kids while at the gas station.

    I try really hard to help anyone when I get the chance. It makes me feel good to put a smile on someone else's face. It's the best feeling on earth!
  • RedTiger
    Posts: 487Member
    When I was younger & single a few times people in line behind us would pay for ds a cheap toy ( with my premission) if they heard me say I didn't have enough money. That really made an impression on him.

    I never will forget back about Dec when the Salvation Army had bell ringers outside Walmart my son asked one day what were they doing. I explained that they were raising money to help buy Christmas presents for kids whose parents couldn't afford to. He said "Mom that's terrible! I cant believe there's kids who don't get Christmas presents! Every kid should have presents to open on Christmas!" He decided to give his last $20 of his birthday money to the Salvation Army instead of buying himself a toy. When the bell ringer thanked him he said "Those kids need it more than I do. I have plenty of toys." I was so proud of my son!

    In the winter if its not raining dh will leave cups of hot coffee for our trash men. Usually they're only a block or 2 away when he leaves for work. I don't if that counts since one of our friends works on the garbage truck & kinda half jokingly asked us to do it but they do appericate it.

    Helping people really is a great feeling!
    "The meaning of our very existence is created though stories, tales and imagination. They are at the very core of humanity." -Tuomas Holopainen
  • sidsmommy3sidsmommy3
    Posts: 2,204Member
    I have had my toll paid for and have paid for the car behind me.  Leaves a big smile on my face both ways.
    Mary :-)

    Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
  • MistressHeidiMistressHeidi
    Posts: 973Member
    I will randomly pay for the coffee for the person behind me, I buy extra dollar menu items for the homeless sometimes. I almost always hand out change to people standing on the side of the road. (My dad says I'm crazy for doing that because those people standing on the side of the road with their cardboard signs probably aren't as hard up as they pretend to be.) I smile at everyone, no matter how bad my day is going or how bad I feel, I smile at everyone I see and thank every person I can, cashiers, etc,,,, Because there are days where having someone smile at me made my day, so I try to return the smile.
  • momtomany74
    Posts: 294Member
    ChristyJ said:

    Be polite and nice at the drive through or restaurant.  You know, they may be idiots sometimes, but they get paid nothing to deal with all of our crap.  I always give a smile, tell them thank you and have a nice day.  I get extra good service at many places just from being polite.




    YES YES YES!!! Having worked in retail, these things go a long way. Now hubby is stuck working a crappy job and these little things go a long way!
  • momtomany74
    Posts: 294Member

    I wish I could add something brilliant and unique but really just can't add anything anyone else hasn't but I have an idea of something I want to do when I have the money.

    See, my son's cat got extremely ill, like near death in May. I had NO extra money for what she needed and the vet gave us donated medicine but she still needed to be in the hospital. My son's dad stepped in and gave them his credit card (normally he's a disgusting mean prick but something struck him, I dunno) and said do what you need to if she can be saved. So the little feisty turd is doing great and better than ever :)

    I decided when I have the extra money, I am going to donate it to the animal hospital and say please give this to a child or elderly whose pet may otherwise die because of lack of funds. WHen I get a lump sum (taxes or whatever) that's the first thing I plan to do.

     

  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,938Member
    I used to always help push cars off the road, bc people are so freakin mean! Honk all you want jackhole, it doesn't make the car move. But now with toddlers in the car I don't stop. :( Although for two minutes I actually could.
    One time I gave a dude 30 dollars for shoes bc it was unusually cold for SoCal and he was barefoot. I pulled right up to him and mommy lectured him about how cold it was and to buy shoes, not drugs. Lol. ( I heard a dude later on my local radio station describe that scenario, he was in a band touring and was tripping the fuck out one morning and a woman gave him money for shoes.... I wonder of it was the same guy.....)
    I just do shit, remember Oprahs pay it forward? I do that
    . I bought a kid a slice of bday cake one day, he and his gma were having lunch and I heard him say it was his bday, so I sent over cake ( they looked alittle nonaffluent, let's say.)
    I always let folk go ahead of me in the checkout line. If you have 1 pop and I am unloading a cartful please go ahead, no skin off my nose, I would still be unloading anyway.
    I am unemployed now, but I can still make a difference!
    Sorry for the long post.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    I am deleting all my content.
  • 2FlyingKiwis2FlyingKiwis
    Posts: 57Member
    I think all these ideas are fabulous!

    I recently gave away a lot of household items we no longer needed. I put out a big pile of free stuff on the front lawn and was so surprised to see everything disappear quickly.

    I always take the time to listen to elderly people. I feel their loneliness and despise the way our culture sometimes disrespects the elderly, putting them away in rest homes to be forgotten about.

    Last week I paid the Chinese food dinner bill anonymously for a teenage Mom I could see was struggling.

    I think as a lot people have already said, a smile and a courteous polite nature goes a long way to making this world a better place to be :)






    "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking"
  • BeerWenchBeerWench
    Posts: 2,820Member
    Get off the phone when in line at the store/drive thru, in the elevator -- drives me bananas and is incredibly rude.
    :¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•** She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten**•-:¦:-•:*'""*:• -:¦:-
  • lostinthewindlostinthewind
    Posts: 1,075Member
    I recently had someone in front of me buy my coffee. I couldn't really afford it but really needed a coffee that day like no other! The wonderful woman in front of me made it to where I no longer had to feel guilty about my coffee that day. Now any time I have a free coffee or a little extra money I use it for the person behind me. Share kindness with the world and it will be returned. If we all just pay it forward a little then one day the world will be a better place.
  • SaraSara
    Posts: 1,037Member
    Manchild says I am overly polite. I hold open doors, I say excuse me/please/thank you, I actually MAKE eye contact and smile. Not a glaze over you with a meaningless polite look. The difference is amazing. I let people go ahead of me in line. Buying coffee or going out for food is still a treat but as soon as I can afford it I want to do the coffee one. Maybe one day in October we can all do that....What do you think?
    Think of your problems as challenges to overcome not obstacles to be avoided.
  • MaryPoppins25
    Posts: 1,686Member
    These are awesome! I love herring about all the good vibes google around. @momtomany74 something similar happened to me with my cat. I am obsessed with this cat and she nearly died. She spent 3 weeks living at the vet, needed tons of meds, and a surgery to remove some polyps. All the vet charges me for was the meds which was around 150... Boarding an animal at the vet and this kind of surgery would be in the thousands! It was the vet's kind heart that saved my kitty :D afterward I volunteered for a year at her "wild cat Wednesday" program where she fixed feral cats and released them when they were healed. I also asked all my family and friends to make a donation to her clinic instead of buying me an Xmas present. Only me and my nana did it but I know it made them happy c:

    @Sara that sounds like a great idea! I'm all up for buying someone's coffee but what if they just ordered their entire family's lunch there, that I can't afford lol. How would we know before offering to pay lol
  • SalllyWingo
    Posts: 1,572Member
    I had to take an emergency call when I was at the cash in WalMart a few weeks ago.  I felt so incredibly guilty because I used to be a cashier and it was one of my biggest pet peeves serving someone that didn't feel I was important enough to hang up the damn phone. 

    I continued my call (quietly) off to the side, and after I hung up the phone I went back to the cashier that very quietly served me and apologized to her for continuing my call and thanked her for her excellent customer service.  She was shocked, but grateful.
  • WenslydaleWenslydale
    Posts: 6Member
    I'm not so great as all of you with the creative acts of kindness, but one thing I can say is try to remember most people aren't tying to ruin your day on purpose!  I find when I'm trying to settle a dispute as a customer that using full-blown SM rage is not usually as effective as the calm/polite approach, and I get the impression that a little respect goes a long way for everybody involved.
  • SaraSara
    Posts: 1,037Member

    @eapple, it usually works for Starbucks or other coffee shops. Just give the cashier $5 and say it is for the next persons coffee. There was one store last winter that had the Pay It Forward for two hours.

    Think of your problems as challenges to overcome not obstacles to be avoided.
  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,011Member
    Hubby and I were on our way somewhere and running late but we still stopped so he could push a lady's car out of the road into the gas station, she ran out just before she got there. 

    I have given people umbrellas when I'm driving and they are walking and it's raining. The look on their faces is priceless. And for that reason I usually keep a couple of cheap umbrellas in my vehicle. Recently the kids and I saw a man in a wheelchair who had taped an umbrella up on his chair to keep the sun off. The umbrella had broken and was hanging down so we stopped and gave him one of ours. He put it on his chair right there on the spot.

    I love doing something small that makes a big difference in people's lives. It makes me feel better :)
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,283Administrator, Moderator
    @regp, the umbrellas in the car is a GREAT idea!! I'm definitely going to do that this Fall/Winter. We live in Oregon and it is always raining around here. I will keep hats/gloves/scarves as well. 

    One little thing that I always appreciate very much is someone offering to take my cart back to the cart corral in the store parking lots. Such an easy thing to do, but it's so appreciated when I've got my kiddo in the car.

    community-manager


  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,011Member
    @sammie, taking the cart to the corral is a sweet gesture for sure!

    I need to go the the dollar store this winter and get some knit gloves and caps to keep in the car, thanks for the idea :)
    I have been meaning to make those bags that I keep seeing on pinterest - the ziploc with a few things in it, to hand out if I see anyone that needs one.
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • jacigirl6354
    Posts: 199Member
    DS15 has grown quickly, so every time he has a large amount of clothes that he's outgrown, I bag them up and leave them on the doorstep of a neighbor who has three boys ages 8-13. Frequently I see the boys wearing his outfits. I know they struggle financially and I know they are being put to good use!
    Sometimes I buy the coffee, donut, pop, slice of pizza whatever, for the person in line behind me at the gas station.
  • amyclarkamyclark
    Posts: 213Member
    When I was working in Mcdonald's a million years ago, some random customer who came through the drive-thru gave me a yellow rose.  It totally made my week. 
  • realtormomrealtormom
    Posts: 648Member
    I pay tolls for random people behind me... Sometimes I'll give the toll collector enough for five or ten cars and ask them to pick out the ones who get to go for free
    The past has a vote, not a veto ~ Moredecai Kaplan
  • bibi67
    Posts: 5Member
    Simple " Please", " Thank you", "Have a good day" and a SMILE. All  are FREE and totally underused. And it's so nice when it's reciprocal.
  • cartes
    Posts: 4Member
    When I worked for a large retail pharmacy company, I had one old man who came in Saturday and/or Sunday morning's, and he called me "sweet pea", always asked for me or about me if I wasn't at the counter, and would always tell me to keep the change from what he paid for his paper, and told me to buy a drink or snack with it. It always made me feel good to be treated so preciously by this man who easily could have been my great-grandfather, and he would make sure I had a smile on my face before he left the store. It really is little things like that, that make customer service jobs worth while. I also had another man who easily could have been my father call me Cassiopeia,(a constellation) as a nick name but I felt like that was just very creepy...plus, Cassiopeia was a nasty queen, and I couldn't find that to be a complement. 

    I use several things to tell if someone may be homeless thats standing on the street corner, 1. I look at their shoes, if their shoes look brand new or newish, I usually dont give. If you offer food, and they get pissed, they usually aren't that bad off either or they are looking to get high or drunk. I keep granola bars in the car, and if I see someone asking for money, I usually stop and offer them a few...explaining I dont keep cash on me...which is true, I keep what I need on me and the rest stays home....most are very grateful for even something so small. 
  • PAMommy
    Posts: 5Member
    Last year after a hurricane, the power had been out for days and I spotted a power company truck on my way home, 1/2 mile or so from home. I ran home, grabbed a few Starbucks frappuccinos and different sodas and waters. I went back to find them and they were getting ready to leave, I yelled to them and must have looked like a crazy woman running towards their truck. I'm sure they thought I was going to bitch about when is the power coming back.... I decided not to even ask them about it, just offered them something to drink. They looked relieved. I thanked them so much for working such long hours. That felt so good! And guess what, the power was back that very hour :)

    Also, run soda/waters to your garbage/recycling collectors on the HOT days. My mom had us do that as kids.

    Love the idea to pay for the meals/coffee behind you! And to keep mittens/hats/umbrellas in the car.
  • overthinkingmama06
    Posts: 8Member
    My coworker brought me a red bull yesterday morning. I was having a really tough morning.I was so touched that it made me cry.It's the little things that count!
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 614Member
    Take toiletries to the Woman's Shelter and donate furniture and household items to them.

    Give a box of cottonelle wipes and cash to homeless guy.

    Randomly sending Grocery gift cards to my starving children and nieces and nephews

    Double the tip for waiters:waitresses working on holidays

    Let a person on a motorized cart ahead in line at the cashier.

    I've done the umbrella in the rain thing and people just about cry

    Always always always honk and wave at the sign wavers that are workin it. That's hardass work!
  • Hmf1015
    Posts: 20Member
    If you see someone in a military uniform, give them a smile :-) it makes our day. I am stationed in a town where military is not liked :-(.
  • Sabzzy
    Posts: 677Member
    I find people on Craigslist a lot who say they're struggling or in need for one reason or another. Usually they're requesting something I don't have to give, but I email them and when they respond, research their email. If everything seems legit (I've been burned), I'll send them a gift card for Walmart or a Paypal donation. 

    I'm a customer service manager and when people are really friendly and say I made their day and gave them great service, it really makes my heart smile. Sounds corny, but it's true, because I do try to go above and beyond with friendliness and helpfulness, even when they're degrading, insulting, and screaming at me for things beyond my control...But I think killing them with kindness in that position is more for MY benefit : )
    We buy things we don't need
    With money we don't have
    To impress people we don't like
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