Strangers you remember fondly

I've remembered another one. When I was travelling in Australia I was getting a taxi back to the hostel I was staying in and I got stuck in the Sydney rush hour traffic and the meter was going up.

I told the cab driver I only had $20 and he told me not to worry and turned the meter off at $20 despite us being in traffic for a good while after that.

What a lovely thread. If reading this has taught me one thing, it is how doing one nice thing a day can bring so much happiness. People obviously remember acts of kindness.
Mine was years ago when my DD was about two & my exH & I took her to London Zoo. As we got to the entrance we realised how expensive it was ( we didn't have a lot back then). A lovely man walking past must have seen the look on our faces & asked us to follow him. When we got to the entrance he handed over some sort of membership card which got us in for free. We thanked him profusely & he just smiled and walked on. I've never forgotten it - that was twenty years ago

I fell in the street in London and hit my head on the pavement quite heavily, really stunned me. A homeless man saw it and came straight over to help me up and told me to sit down on a step. He went into a shop and asked them to call an ambulance and asked them for a packet of frozen veg. He then came and sat next to me holding the veg against the massive bump on my head. He sat with me until the ambulance arrived.

I will never forget his kindness. Someone who has literally nothing but gave me so much in a time of need.

This happened yesterday. As a family, we’ve had a really really dire year (think: losing jobs, huge debt, cancer diagnosis (me), losing a parent to cancer, best friend made redundant and having to move back to Newcastle).
Understandably I’m feeling quite low, and have realised how much weight I’ve put on, generally feel gross. Desperately want to hang out with my best Mate and dick about, but can’t.
Anyway I went into a shop yesterday to buy something and the lady behind the counter (we are in deepest poshest Surrey so this is relevant) says to me in the strongest Geordie accent “I love your hair pet, do you do it yourself? You look amazing, angel”. I needed to hear something nice about myself and her accent reminded me of bff and cheered me right up.

Another: when I was pregnant, I was getting the bus into central London where I worked. I must have been about 36 weeks, and came over very sick and faint on the bus. Everyone ignored me apart from this very very stylish and suave gent who basically propped me up, turned to someone in the priority seat and said “get up, this woman is with child. Don’t pretend you didn’t see her”. Then he propelled me into my seat and got off at my stop with me, crossed the road and got the bus back to my home stop (I was in no condition to go into work and DS arrived four days later). He went a good two hours out of his was for some random pregnant lady. I call him my Bus Angel.

And finally; DD was 11 days old, i had had a c section and had DS who was 16 months old. Heavy lochia, and I ran out of pads so had to go and stock up. In the shop (local big shop), DD starts crying and so does DS, and I realise I’ve leaked through. Lady behind me unloads my shopping (pads and biscuits...) onto the checkout, pays, looks after the babies - who promptly stopped crying and stared, she informed them they had to have some decorum as Mother needed to sort herself out (she was an older posh lady) so I can attempt to sort myself out in the supermarket loo and then walks us all home. Magic. She wouldn’t let me pay her back for the shopping either, just said “put the money in their piggy banks, dear, and try to get some rest”. (Lol, two under 18 months, didn’t rest for another 8 years)

The midwife who sat with me after I had a miscarriage and was feeling very alone and emotional.

She said, "Don't worry my darling, it's sad now but a little bit of ice cream and a lot of love and you'll be feeling as strong as you actually are again"

Such a lovely comment and it made me smile in a dark place.

@WinkyisbackontheButterBeer that story is lovely!!!

I don't know if @MardAsSnails is referring to my bmw man as I've not read the whole thread, but if it's mine, I don't know. He was a what seemed to be a stereotypical bmw driver that wasn't white middle class, yelling at me in the east end of London. 13 years on and I still pay what he did forward and direct people as best I can if they stop for help- I will always remember him!

I now live in east London and know exactly how far he drove out of his way to take me where he did!

My bus driver a couple of weeks ago.
He was just so genuinely nice when I got on and greeted me with a big smile.
When a man, who obviously had some learning difficulties, got on a few stops later he was so patient and kind, had a bit of a joke with him and as he took his seat the man had a huge beaming smile on his face.
Again with his elderly passengers he was respectful and patient and made sure that they were seated before setting off.

As we left the main city, he stopped and a Mum and her daughter (6ish) got on. Even standing at the bus stop I noticed that they both just looked a little sad and down on their luck.
Mum asked how much the fare to the next town (about 3 miles away) was. When the driver told her the cost she said
“Thanks, don’t worry” and they both went to get off the bus.
Before I could react at all, with a little flick of his head the driver told them both that it was fine and to get on.
As they got off, he gave the little girl a wink and held out a chocolate bar to her.
Her happy little face was a picture and I was nearly crying by the time I got off a few stops later.
Lovely, lovely man.

On holiday in Iceland with 18mo DC who developed a fever, went limp and started projectile vomiting just as we arrived. Managed to find a walk in centre, staff were fab and explained in English that we had to go through to an adjoining room with a group of other patients and we'd then be called to see a Dr. Very worried about DC who was pretty unresponsive and our panic must have been obvious. Dr comes out and shouts something in Icelandic which we don't understand. Lovely lady next to me turns to us and says in perfect English - "you go first, it's your turn".

I had no idea how she knew it was our turn and it took a good while to realise that it wasn't our turn at all, she'd just realised we were panicked and in a foreign country with a poorly DC. Very grateful she (and everyone else in the waiting room who didn't challenge her) let us go first.

Another story that's not really about a helping hand but touched me nonetheless: took aforementioned DC to London with DH from THE NORTH. We're taught in THE NORTH that people in London are very unfriendly and you should never look them in the eye or try and start a conversation. On a bus one day and we're keeping ourselves to ourselves. It's a long journey and now 3yo DC is whingy. A bloke next to us strikes up a conversation with us - he was a bus driver on his way home from his shift, a Londoner through and through who chatted to us and entertained DC for a good half hour, regaling us of stories of his grandkids. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy and totally changed my view of Londoners being unfriendly.

I want to know where BMW man went!

I have 2

The woman at Manchester airport who gave me a quid. The trolleys need a pound coin (or a €2) to release at baggage claim. Usually the machine accepts notes or cards too. None of them were accepting anything other than coins. It was the one time I had 5 cases and was traveling alone. The staff were useless and said ‘just use a €2 euro instead’ - I’d come from outside the EU so none of them either. A woman came over and gave me a quid for the machine. I always make sure I have spare quids when I fly home, and have twice now paid that quid forward to stranded families when the machines are fucked yet again.

And the Emirati couple who picked us up during our first Ramadan in the UAE. We were in a really quiet area waiting for a taxi. We’d waited 30 mins already and a car pulled up. A local couple were in the front. He spoke no English. His wife told us to get in and they’d run is where we wanted - it was coming up to ifftar time and there wouldn’t be any taxis around. Her husband then said something to her in Arabic, and she said he was inviting us to iftar with his family. Was an awesome display of hospitality that we’ve never forgotten.

On an early evening flight back from visiting friends in Germany and DS was sound asleep when we landed and refused to wake up. So I was carrying him, a bag of duty free, a rucksack and a trunki off the plane. It was a ridiculous walk to the main airport and I remember thinking this is going to be a long task. Just climbing my first set of steps and a lady in a business suit appeared beside me and took the trunki off me. We found an airport buggy but she stayed with me all the way to the luggage belts and then pushed my trolley for me to the car (fortunately we'd parked near the airport access doors) so I could keep carrying ds. She had a long train journey ahead of her too. She saved me that day because I discovered once I opened the car that the battery was dead! I'd left my sidelights on by mistake. If not for her the RAC man would have had an hysterical puddle on his hands.

I was 18 on one of my first nights out, someone put something in my drink and about 10 mins after I finished it I knew something was up. The man who bought the drink for me was watching me closely.
I staggered out of the bar and onto the street, and the man came up behind me and tried to pull me into a car, I think his mate was in the drivers seat. I was crying and trying to pull away.
Another car pulled up and a young Glaswegian woman (a rare sight in Wales!) got out and shouted at him "what the fuck do you think you're doing? Fuck off, now before I ring the police!" The man jumped into his car and they sped off. I all but collapsed in her arms but I managed to tell her where I lived and she took me home. I'll never forget that and I wish I had her details, she was so awesome.

I remember being in Crete on holiday when I was 12 and because I shouted no when he hit my mother he locked me in the hotel room for two weeks as punishment while the rest of the family enjoyed the holiday I was only given bread and water, the English bar women who worked there must have realised and left me food. I will never forget such kindness and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone.

Early morning In Miami.
I had just arrived first time driving abroad and an automatic.
Hit the kerb and took my tyre out, saw the police on the other side of the rd but they drive of before I could get their attention.
I was nearly crying as I was so frustrated, and had no clue what to do.
Lovely guy walking down the street said he was there on business and couldn't sleep.
Fixed my tyre and talked me through the basics of driving an automatic!
Wonderful man!

Arran that is special.

Arran the kindness of strangers crossing generations is really quite special. All these years later and he’s still remembered.

Oh Arran.
What a lovely but poignant story.

Arran. I’m lost for words.

This story is literally coming up for a hundred years old and I've no idea if the stranger in question ever told his family about it but it's handed down through the generations in mine and I like to think it will last for many generations more.

1918 - my grandfather was being invalided home from Egypt. My grandmother had been notified and went to meet him at the train station. So many men streamed past her and she was surrounded by heartfelt reunions.

The platform was practically clear and she couldn't see my grandfather. She'd been out to the concourse and back, searching everywhere but no sign of him. She was panicking, wondering if he'd missed the train, if something had intervened.

His bright red hair was so distinctive and his build so strong and strapping it just wasn't feasible she'd not seen him no matter how many troops there were.

She noticed what a balding, stooped, yellow, shuffling, skeleton, pulling himself along the side of the train, hand over hand. She was worried about him and just going to find a guard to assist him when the platform started hurtling towards her and was only prevented by a passing business man who caught her in her near-faint.

He said, "You're unwell. Can I assist you?"
GM: "I think that man is my husband."

Sizing the situation up, the business man helped her behind one of the pillars, supported her and blocked her from view.
"He mustn't see you like this. You rest here. And when you're ready, go to him with as joyful and open a heart as you can muster."

More conversation that she couldn't recall. Then she went to my grandfather. The businessman had somehow organised the Station Master and others to help them into a transport that he pre-paid to take them home.

A hundred years on - and that act of kindness is still remembered.

pagan you've just reminded me of another one.
Many years ago (before the internet) I was travelling in Australia. Me and then DP had phoned a hostel to book, but when we arrived (after several hours' bus journey in 40 degree heat) they said that they were really sorry but there'd been a mix up and they were full. Instead of turning us out to find something else at very short notice, however, they made up camp beds in the hostel office, stayed there and let us use their own apartment (with air con & balcony) for the weekend.

Car had broken down in middle of nowhere. Me and two kids aged about 3 and 2. Called the AA so all was ok but three different women stopped to ask if I needed help and one went out of her way to return armed with cartons of juice and some sweeties for the kids.

Also, backpacking in Germany. Was trying to get a bed in Bremen youth hostel. They kept saying it was full (it wasn't but they had some school parties staying and didn't like others staying at the same time). Managed to get a bed eventually (in a 4 bunk room with no-one else). My pal (male) also got a similar room but was sharing with a lovely chap called Gunter. He had just arrived in Bremen from Frankfurt to do his national service and was going to be staying at a pal's flat for a few nights after staying in hostel. As the hostel would only allow us to stay for one night he felt sorry for us and arranged to meet up the next day and stay in the flat too. He was true to his word and we kipped on a futon. He then guided us back to the train station and we bought him breakfast. A corker of a chap!

A few years ago I was at our local walk in centre, I was alone as DH had to stay home with DC. I was miscarrying and in a lot of pain, it all became too much and I started silent sobbing; after seeing the doctor, as I was leaving a lady came up to me and said she had seen me crying and that she wanted to give me a hug.

I’d been feeling so lonely and scared. I’ll never forget her.

Flying with a 4 month old. He lost his shit. Tried feeding, flashed the plane. in the screaming fit DS kicked the business man next to me's book into the aisle. This was a commuter flight full of people just trying to get home... I was mortified, exhausted, starting to cry.... the man next to me started telling me stories of the nightmare flights he had had with his daughter, the passenger behind joined in with his nightmare child on flight stories, as did the man over the aisle. The steward came over and offered to move the man next to me into business due to the "inconvenience" - he responded - "this lady and her son are passengers not an inconvenience I think I'll stay here and offer assistance rather than judgment thanks".

Made me realise that however bad it seems, it's better than you think! I fly a lot with my now 3 year old and I think that strangers reaction to the worst flight ever gave me so much confidence. I wish I could meet him again to thank him!

Lovely thread
The Moss Side stories made me chuckle - I was a student in M’cr in 1991 and we used to buy the odd mood-alterer (ahem) there. God knows how we got away unscathed
Kindness I remember - the lady who sat with me on a bench after a v hot commute when I was 8 months pregnant and very uncomfortable and also the lovely trainee HCA called Crystal, who took such care of my dad in his final weeks. She sat with him giving him water from a pipette when he was too weak to use a straw.

This is something my parents did.

When I was a child, was probably late 80s early 90s, we were in the countryside somewhere when we noticed a boy by the side of the road on his own crying.

It turned out he was part of a scout group. They were on camp and were out on some activity and he had (from what I remember) stopped for a rest. They all left him. So he was on his own crying as they had all left him and he couldn’t get back.

So my parents got him the car and drove him all the way back to the scout camp and made sure he was ok.

I sometimes wonder about him and hope to God this sort of thing wouldn’t happen now..

I remember being ten years old and being in hospital waiting to have my tonsils out. My mum and dad have always been shit at parenting (and I'm now NC) but my mum had been told to be back at the hospital for 9am as we were being prepped for our operations. (8 of us on the ward). That however would have meant my precious brother being taken to school by my dad. So instead 9am rolls round and no mum.
I remember looking at all the other children with parents there, and I'm just talking to the nurse as she puts numbing cream on my hand. She walked off saying not long now and suddenly I got really scared I'd be going on my own to the theatre. I started crying and this lovely woman who's with her son, comes over to my bed and sits on it and gives me a hug, she grabbed a story book and started reading it to me. I remember asking if my mum didn't turn up would she come with me so I wasn't on my own. She said of course but it all would be fine. She stayed sat on my bed for a good twenty minutes until my mum finally turned up. My mum didn't even thank her, she just told me I was being stupid.
I've never forgot that woman. It made me realise what mums could be like.