A grand or small gesture / act of kindness

[Dipzy]

I was watching Noel Edmunds on The One Show last week and he was saying how if each person made an act of kindness each day towards another fellow human being, what a nicer place this planet would be to live on.

A small one I know, but I was out with my kids on Saturday and in our local small Tesco at the checkout and this old lady behind me just a small cake she wanted to purchase so I bought it for her.

I thought of the show whilst watching her get her purse out and thought, it might not be much to me but could be to her. I was feeling happy at the time and thought, why not make someone else feel happy too.

So what have you guys done recently to cheer someone up, or help them in someway, be it a grand or small act of kindness.

[Capsid]

I baked a courgette cake and took it to work to share with my colleagues. Does that count?

[terrier]

I didn't scowl at anyone all day

[terrier]

I didn't scowl at anyone all day

[wellie]

A few months ago, I called into a very posh
village shop prior to going to my friends' place to help with her day, and there was a lovely black guy who was having difficulty paying for two toasted sandwiches, as he said he hadn't got enough money: they were very expensive.
The lady on the till was making his life extremely difficult for him, and I felt she was being 'a prize wotsit'.
So I asked the Prize Wotsit how much more money she needed for the lovely guy to get his toasted sandwiches, and she said it was £2 something. I gave her the £2 something, and the lovely black gentleman took my hand and kissed it.
We parted, with his eyes meeting mine, and knowing that he would indeed do the same for someone else one day.
That's the short version.... X

[snuffer]

I live in a small village and so when I am out and about I always say hello or good morning to everyone I meet. Invariably I will get a reply and often will stop for a little chat; weather, dogs, garden, lottie, that sort of thiing.

On the rare occasions that I (don't want to sound like some sort of country bumpkin) visit our nearest city or large town I sometimes forget myself and if someone makes eye contact with me I will ask them how they are, say goodmorning or hello. Often they will look at me as if I am insane or perhaps preparing to mug them whilst they are off gaurd.

After a few minutes I remember that such outlandishly threatening behaviour is frowned upon and so limit my conversation to what is strictly needed whilst conducting my business.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not the guy that sits next to you on the bus or train and tries to tell you my life story. I just try and be civil and polite to the people I meet and think it's a little sad that such behaviour is somehow considered strange.

[Flummery]

We have a similar village atmosphere to yours, Snuffer (I have a friend in Southwell too!) and we all stop and speak to one another. This means if you are visiting a friend a few minutes walk away you might need to allow half an hour! I've recently started calling at my lottie before going anywhere and filling my pockets with achochas - I've got masses of them just now. Everyone I've met in the last few days has been offered a slack handful and instructions on how to cook them. So many people have been so touched - out of all proportion to the gift - that I conclude no-one ever gets given owt for nowt usually!

[Headfry]

I often use a little toll bridge on my way to the sailing club.
5p a crossing, the collectors get their 5p and a couple of wrapped sweets to cheer their day and make (I hope) them smile.

[Flummery]

That reminds me of when I worked as a school Admin officer. We used to prepare an internal post bag each week and occasionally the Head and I would put in some wrapped sweets or small chocolate bars - the sort the children bought with pocket money - for the post room staff!

[SlugLobber]

Aw, Dipzy, you made me go all warm inside and I'm not even drinking tea! I made a cake this week, too - apple cake - and also took it into work. Have been asked if I can make a cake for my friend's wedding (not THE cake!), so am making the same one, as it's a hit with all who taste it.

I live in one of those villages, Snuffer and I was taken aback when the local shop keeper first bellowed 'Good Morning! How are you?'. Everyone knows what you're doing in my village, before you do. There's always a downside, ha ha!

[ailsasyl]

Happybunny is on a mission at the moment, she smiles at people she passes in the street to see how many smile back mixed success most folk wander why a thirteen year old is smiling at them!! she has been known to help older folk to lift things from the trolley onto the checkout and has been praised for doing so yesterday she cooked dinner chicken and bacon pie from scratch for no other reason than she wanted to i wasn't allowed in the kitchen and she did a grand job. Just need to teach her to wash up afterwards now.

[SlugLobber]

Flippin eck, do you hire her out?

[ailsasyl]

she has to be in the right mood you understand for cooking anyways. although she does enjoy it and is doing more as she gets older not so good at keeping her room tidy you cant see the carpet for clothes and books. She is constantly smiling though every parents night the teachers comment on her positive attitude, I am very proud of her attitude to others

[Comfreyfan]

I think a smile and a friendly word often go a long way. A few years ago I and youngest went to London, stayed with friends and spent the day 'in town'. Going back to our digs we weren't sure which was our stop, everyone on the rush hour bus was very engrosed in their books/papers/i pods etc. I smiled at a lady sitting behind us and asked her advice, she seemed a bit startled when I spoke to her, but within minutes there was a great discussion going on about which stop would be best, ended up involving most of the lower deck. The best thing was that even after they'd sorted us out, people carried on talking to each other, the whole atmosphere changed - even my teenager noticed the difference! Like to think we took a little bit of Devon to that London bus that day!!

[zazen999]

Ailsasyl

From my experience of correspondence with Happy Bunny; you should be proud. Alot of kids her age won't even crack a smile, let alone be as lovely as she is.

We try and be nice to everyone in our village; smile and have a chat where we can. It is not always possible, there are some moody types anywhere you go; but most will spend the time of day for a chat.