Has a complete stranger ever been really kind to you?

[SunshineCake]

And did it lead to a friendship ?

Full disclosure - there is a thread in AIBU about a stranger being nasty and as soon as I got to a sexually abusive one I gave up. I thought a positive thread would be nicer.

When I was 20 a lady gave me £8 to get a train ticket the 400 miles to get home. This was after two men wouldn't help. Ignored and offered a bed .

When I was about 7 or 8 (mid 90's) I went to get a fish & chip dinner for the family with my mum. When we got there, there was nowhere to park so she sent me in to order whilst she lapped back round and hoped for a gap.

Well, she didn't manage to get one in time and when I went to order, I was 50p short.

A lady waiting for her food overheard and insisted on covering the additional 50p because I'd been so polite when I was ordering. I was gobsmacked at the time!

I told my mum when I got back in the car and we tried to find the lady to return the 50p, but she'd already left by then. Still remember it 25 years later!

I was once in a line for a taxi in town having done lots of shopping. When it came to the turn of the lady in front she turned to me and offered me her place ‘because you are laden’. She was very elderly, frail, bird like and used a walking aid on wheels. Of course, I declined and thanked her but I remember her as being one of the most selfless people I have ever encountered. Lovely thread.

I fell flat - and I mean flat - on my face once in central London. I was crying my eyes out in shock and this angel of a man helped me up and was so kind to me, he took me into a sushi bar where they brought me water and tissues and just all huddled around me until my then bf arrived! I’ll never forget the kind reassuring way he spoke to me while I sobbed like a child!

Yes, loads of times: simple things like giving me a £1 coin for a supermarket trolley happen all the time.

I once walked through town in a rainstorm and my Primark bag disintegrated and everything fell to the floor. Some clothes but I’d stuck other bits in the bag so loads of little non Primark stuff scattered round my feet. It was like a monsoon but a guy stopped and helped me pick everything up, he gave me a plastic bag. It was a little thing but I haven’t forgotten, he helped even though it made him wetter.

I'm happy to say, lots of times.

Some people are lovely.

Ds broke his arm at school when he 11.

I had to rush him to A&E, was in the throws of morning sickness with Dd and had no money on me. We had a four hour wait, I was puking discreetly and must have looked like death and poor Ds was as white as a sheet clutching his arm.

A really lovely lady tapped me on the shoulder and handed me two orange juices, packets of crisps and sandwiches. Wouldn’t let me take her number to pay her back afterwards and just said she could see I was struggling and she hoped we felt better soon. She left right after.

I’ll never forget that, it made the world of difference.

A few years ago my car spun hideously off an icy road into a field. A lovely lady passing saw my stranded car and came and asked would I like a lift to the garage in next town where recovery could meet me, I could get a coffee etc, and that she’d keep the muddy dog out of my way. Well I was pretty muddy myself so the dog sat on my lap as we drove to said garage I really didn’t mind . I’ll not forget that, it was much appreciated as I was in a bit of a state and to have someone show they cared was so lovely.

About 4 years ago I was hiding around a corner after running away from my pissed ex. I had our 3 month old baby with me.

He came running around the corner and ran at me with his fists raised ready to hit me and a tiny woman and her boxer dog came out of nowwhere & started shouting at him and she came and stood in front of me. I am 5'2 and this woman was smaller than me. My ex was 6'2. She really shouted at him and told him if he didnt go away she would set her dog on him. She walked me all the way home to make sure I was alright. I can't remember her name but it makes me cry just thinking about it. I was so frightened and she was so brave

Another time he was outside my house kicking off, when I answered the door he dragged me outside and started hitting me.2 builders ran up to my house and pulled him off me and told him to get away. One had forced him off and the other stayed with me, Ill never forget him saying "you need a towel for your face love, do you want me to get you one?" And I felt my face and it was dripping with blood. He went in my kitchen and got me a towel and asked if i wanted him to stay while i rang the police.

I was frightened to death of my ex and didnt report it.

I reported an attack around a year later and we havnt seen him for nearly 3 years now as he was found guilty and given a restraining order

I feel all emotional remembering that those people tried to help me at such an awful time

Loads of times But the twp that stand out the most :

A nasty one - A guy I estimated to be about 70 years old stopped on the street was I was approx 8 months pregnant,sobbing, being screamed at my ex-husband (still married at the time). Wasn't remotely intimidated by the stream of abuse he receieved, told him to leave and called my family on my mobile and waited till they picked me up.Never saw him again but I think of him often and am so grateful.

When my mum was close to the end with cancer - we were all sitting with her and she asked for water. I went to get some and the dispenser/cooler was broken.I burst into tears and started swearing at the poor machine..one of the nurses just came up and wrapped me in the biggest hug.I literally left a puddle on her shoulder.We still speak occasionally now.