What are the kindest things that strangers have done for you?ve done for you

[TheKindestOfStrangers]

Just recently, we were on holiday in Europe and we went to a very well known "posh" cafe for coffee and cake as a special treat.

While we were there, we got talking to a very lovely couple from a central Asian country on the table just next to us. We chatted for maybe 10-15 minutes, and then they were ready to get their bill and go. Much to my surprise, they then insisted on paying for our bill too. I was bowled over by their kindness and amused by the slightly confused look on the waiter's face.

It got me thinking about other random acts of kindness that I have experienced from strangers. One that sticks in my mind is an American guy that I met at King's Cross tube station around 12 years ago. I was travelling to Heathrow airport to catch a long haul flight with my young daughter. We had left home with loads of time to spare, but there was a major problem with the tubes that day and there were no trains. Initially, I was unpeturbed as I had built in a significant buffer, but it gradually became apparent that the tubes just weren't going to be up and running any time soon, and I was starting to panic about whether we were going to get there. The American guy (who I had been chatting to on the platform while waiting) suddenly said that he would call us a taxi to Heathrow and he insisted on paying for it. So incredibly kind!

Please tell me your stories about the kind things that complete strangers have done for you! I am inspired to spread the kindness to others!

About eight years ago I got norovirus on holiday which announced itself when I was in the Gatwick Airport Travelodge overnight before going home. After three utterly grim days I felt well enough to travel but really needed some Imodium to see me through the train trip.

I posted for help on MN to see if there was anyone in the area and a lovely local lady responded. She brought me Imodium, diarolyte, bottled water, a new toothbrush and a magazine, and wouldn't take a penny.

I think about her often - thank you again Katie if you're reading this!

(For balance, a couple of other Mumsnetters told me I couldn't possibly travel on public transport because if I met someone immunocompromised and gave them the Norovirus, they would definitely die and it would be ALL MY FAULT).

@Stoker1847 they're usually good biscuits 😀

Missed the last train home from London many years ago after seeing Bowie play at the Marquee in Wardour Street, lovely young girl took me home for the night. If you're on here, thank you, you kept me safe and were so lovely

A few years ago I was taking Wilf to see his beloved Singing Hands at a school in Hampton. We got to Hampton train station and could not get a taxi for love nor money. Wilf started to get stressed so I wondered whether we could walk. We stopped a couple who were near their car to ask how far it was to the school. The couple could see how stressed Wilf was and said the school was on their way. They loaded us into their car and dropped us off.
So very kind of them.

As a trainee solicitor I was sent to the high court in London to do a hearing I knew nothing about. I'm a country girl so even getting train across London was stressful but when I got there the barrister who was against me took pity on me.
She knew I had no idea what I was doing, I was scared shitless and should never have been sent to do such a hearing.

She wrote out the order to adjourn the hearing and did all the speaking for me.
When we left she said that she remembered what it felt like to be put in that position and that she had been shown kindness and not taken advantage of and I should just remember to pay it forward. I've always remembered this.

On another occasion I was 15 and travelling from Hastings to midlands. I had to get through London on my own. This guy starts talking to me. He was covered in tattoos and looked rough as anything. He asked me if I knew what tubes I was getting and I said I didn't but I'd figured it out. He got. Off the train and carried my bags and took me across London and put me on the right train to get home. I was so grateful.

This made me tearful. What a lovely Santa.

I had a lady give me money for a train ticket. Sadly British Rail as it was then wouldn't help so I had to find a coach station. The security guard gave me £35 to get home. We dated for a while and he turned out to be awful. I still think about that a lady and post about it each time there's an opportunity as I want to thank her and pay her back. It was around 1990/1.

I'd been at the dentist and turned out I had a serious issue that needed hospital immediately. It was 5pm, dark and I had my DD with me who was 2 at the time. The nurse didn't want me to drive, but given that DD needed to be taken care of, she absolutely INSISTED that she and her husband follow me as I drove to my husband's work and then drove me to the maxilofacial unit. I have never ever forgotten her kindness. (And I still go to the same dentist).

This feels very minor compared to some of the others but considering my fragile state of mind at the time, this was a huge thing for me.

About 2 weeks after I moved to Germany (knowing no one) I was on my way to a playgroup I'd read about with my 2yo & a 4mo &

Getting there was a nightmare as the lift in our 5th floor apartment was broken so I had to carry the baby & the pushchair down while helping the toddler.

2 trams and 15 min sweaty walk later I got there to find there's been a timetable change and there was no playgroup. I was exhausted and just cried. There was a woman just leaving the building who asked what was wrong and I explained in bed bad German 🙈

She was a German teacher who ran the playgroup (date had changed but Website not updated). She immediately invited me in, gave me a hug & a coffee, gave my toddler a biscuit & some toys and basically told me everything was going to be ok.

@Stoker1847 congrats on your baby - am so pleased it all worked out.

Two spring to mind for me:

I was once pulled over on the side of a road (safely) after a long dog walk when a woman drove past with her partner in the car and hit the side of my car and drove off.

I drove up and down the road looking for her (it's the sort of place you'd only drive to if you were going for a walk) and couldn't find her so she'd obviously parked her car somewhere concealed. I saw her husband (out of the car who gave me a smug grin as he clearly thought they'd gotten away with it). I was really upset until a man in another vehicle stopped next to mine and said "I saw what happened and I followed her, here's a photo of her number plate and here's my number, I'll be your witness for insurance".

Another time, in the aftermath of the breakdown of my marriage my ex-DH had turned very nasty, abusive and threatening. I called the company who had recently fitted our new front door to enquire about changing the locks as I wasn't sure what kind of lock it would need. They came out within the hour, changed the lock and refused to take any money.

The florist who asked me and my sister what we were looking for when we went in to get flowers for my mums funeral
We both cried when we explained why we were there and she just opened up her arms and gave us a massive hug

The flowers she arranged were just perfect as well

Northerners for you...

Years ago, when MN was smaller and people really did get to know each other, I had a knock on the door. Mumanetters had clubbed together and sent me the most beautiful bunch of cream roses. Ten minutes later there was another knock on the door and they had also sent me the biggest box of Hotel Chocolate goodies. I have no idea who it was but thank you again. I've never forgotten it. I have also had some awful times on here so it is good to know and remember that most people are decent.

The guy in Wickes who asked what had happened and was I okay. I thought I'd hidden my tears well as I was embarrassed I said I'd just had to have my cat put to sleep and I was buying some flowers for her. I was tapping my card and it wouldn't work. He looked at me said no, please just take them. Only £3 but the kindest gesture after an awful unexpected day.

Actually it was years ago on Mumsnet, I'd just had my first baby, felt very down about myself and had no budget to "pamper" myself and just felt like a zombie. I posted venting about it just to get it off my chest and a lady messaged me and said she had a few free sample bits she'd like to send to me. An absolutely huge box of make up/pamper stuff arrived, some samples but mostly just beautiful luxury products i'd never be able to afford in a million years, including some wonderful perfumes. I don't have her contact anymore but it was such a hugely kind gesture and meant a lot at a time and still makes me smile now.

Just last night I was in a strange city, it was getting dark, starting to rain, my mobile data was going on my phone and I had been trying to find the Airport bus stop having walked for miles and getting increasingly anxious that I might just miss my flight. I asked a very tall young man with a very petite young woman for directions. Not only did they look up the correct bus timetable & locations, they insisted on walking with me quite some way to ensure I got there in time. I just caught it and they waved me off. I could have wept I was so grateful. Without a second thought they were both incredibly kind and unbelievably thoughtful to a complete stranger.

And actually I have witnessed so many small kindnesses and interactions of young people to others recently... Perhaps because my kids are entering early adulthood so I am observing, and I know this is a massive generalisation, but I would say we have so much to be proud of in that generation who maybe missed out a bit through Covid. Perhaps I just wasn't looking closely before, but my observation is they tend to be perhaps in less of a rush and more emotionally aware of others.

Many years ago I was a single parent to 2 kids (actually still am!) but back then I was really struggling for money, despite working full time but also paying for full time child care (which was crippling me). Their dad didn't contribute financially (but did see them one night a week).
It was a few days after Christmas and I was at the till in Aldi having done the bare minimum food shop for a week for me and the kids. Got to the till and my card got declined. I felt so sick
The most lovely lady behind me in the queue stepped in and offered to pay for my shopping and for me to pay her back when I got paid. I actually cried I was so relieved!
I met her on pay day to pay her back and bought her flowers and chocolates to say thank you (not a fraction to express my gratitude). She said she could tell I had children (possibly nappies gave it away) and she had been there herself when there was no money.
I will never forget her kindness and if I am ever in that situation I will most definitely pay it forward for sure

Fell over and broke my wrist. One lady called my dh and the ambulance, and supported me. Another, off-duty my nurse checked be over. Other people in the street come out to help, brought blankets, pillows etc. (NHS were then brilliant) . Really grateful for everyone’s care.

This post has made my eyes leak for about the tenth time reading all these. Huge congratulations on the birth of your little one 😊

About ten years ago I had the same. I was in a support group on MN for women over 35 TTCing their first DC, we were the Elderberry Pavlovas. I conceived via IVF and could not have got through it without the Berries. I lost the baby at 14 weeks. Somehow the Berries found me and sent flowers.

Oh gosh, yours has made me cry. I am so so sorry for your loss 💐💔

This one has be sobbing! What a wonderful Santa. Your DD must have had the best time with him!

When I was 11 (many years ago)! And in my first year at high school I accidentally left my bag at the bus stop. I panicked as I was very shy and ran down the stairs and said to the driver ‘I’ve left my bag at the bus stop’. I remember he stopped the bus, looked at me, smiled and said ‘can you run fast’. I always remember how kind he was to a scared 11 year old me.

This made me feel really emotional. How very kind. I'd love to see it if it's not too outing.

Me and dh stopped at an Italian petrol station to top up our hire car with enough petrol to get us to the airport before dropping the car off prior to our flight home. We couldn't get the credit card to work at the pump and there was no cashier to speak to (closed over lunchtime) Luckily we were able to feed one of our two remaining 20 euro notes into the machine so disaster was avoided as we had thought we were stuck!
As we were finishing, a German family (looked like mum, dad and 2 kids) arrived at the next pump and found they had the same problem with the credit card but apparently had no cash. On discovering that he couldn't fill up, the man began ranting at his partner and generally losing his rag pretty nastily. We were about to leave, but I jumped out of the car and thrust our remaining 20 euro note at him, indicating he should feed it into the machine. I just wanted him to stop shouting at that poor woman and kids to be honest.
His face was a picture....his jaw literally dropped in disbelief that I was offering him money and he was speechless. I think I might have told him to zip it! I don't speak German but he got the drift. I hopped back in our car and we left him standing there.
It was worth the money just to shut him up!