simeone says

I had a completely different post planned for today, however, after an experience I had this morning, I decided I wanted to write about something different. If you read my birthday post, you know that last month I attempted to meet 24 strangers. Though this was an uncomfortable experience and I was 2 people shy of my goal, I walked away from that experiment wanting to make more of an effort to be friendlier to people and pay more attention to things outside of the “bubble” I find myself in while going through my daily routine. To be honest, I have not been doing that. Today I had a little reminder of the impact of doing this and that is what I want to share in this post.

I have recently have decided to take “adulting” a little more seriously and become more strict with myself when making purchases. Today I went to Target with the very specific mission of exchanging a product and buying two items, a travel pack of tissues and a box of Clorox wipes. I spent 30 minutes in Target convinced that if you succeed in only walking out of Target with what you came for, then you deserve an award. Upon checking out, I had a less then desirable experience with the sales clerk whose rude attitude when I asked her to repeat herself made me wish I had gotten the words “OUT OF ORDER” tattooed on my right ear (which I do not hear out of). Feeling accomplished for leaving with only 2 items and annoyed by the short temper of the cashier, I decided I needed,deserved…wanted an ice coffee from Starbucks. I had a gift card so this was completely within my “adulting” budget.

The line went down as I stood in my own thoughts. What flavor shot do I want in my coffee? Why was that cashier so rude? Did I really even need these Clorox wipes I just bought? I look up and the line had dwindled to just me and the women in front of me. She ordered a hot chocolate with no whip cream and soy milk. This got my attention because I was confused as to who goes to Starbucks for hot chocolate and even more confused by who would do that in 86 degree whether. The boy asked her if she would like anything else and she says “Yes, I would like to pay for her order.” Now, as stated I do not hear well so I thought that I was hearing her wrong. When the barista repeated it, I was worried my eyes were going too because I didn’t see anyone with this woman. Then I realized she was talking about me.

Now, I’ve heard about people paying for the car behind them in the drive through and leaving their waitresses overly generous tips during the holiday time, but I never thought those things actually happened. I ordered my small vanilla coffee and asked the women if she was sure she wanted to pay for my drink. She said “Yes, absolutely. I enjoy seeing people smile.” She didn’t make small talk with me. Didn’t ask my name. Before I could thank her again, she had left.

A full day later I am still smiling from this stranger’s act of kindness. It was obvious I could afford to buy a cup of coffee. Starbucks is not an essentials purchase so if you are in line, you most likely can pay for whatever you plan to order. A simple offer to pay $2.45 (plus tax) for my beverage meant way more then the money it was saving me. The fact that a stranger looked at me and decided, even though she did not know me and probably will not cross paths with me again, to do something kind was refreshing. I think there is a misconception that only big actions make a difference and that to make someone’s world better you have to make a grandiose gesture. In a world where it is easy to feel connected to strangers via social media, its funny how much disconnect there is. Sometimes I feel that we are living for reaction. For a like. For a share. For a retweet. They become the currency we exchange with one another as if that is a validation for the live we are living (or choose to portray to the public). Who knows, maybe this woman went home and bragged to all her social media followers that she did a good deed for someone. Regardless, I am thankful to this stranger for the reminder the importance of kindness toward people we interact with by chance and confirming to me that our small actions matter.