Random strangers you remember fondly

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

Do you have people who you never really spoke to or knew, but they kinda made you smile and you still think about them years later?

Mine was a middle-aged guy I used to see at the gym, dad bod type but took his training VERY seriously. He used to coach himself, out loud, throughout his sessions: "just one more... that's it... YES" or "smashing it today, 2 more reps.....ONE MORE...UH!"

It sounds like it should be annoying but it was actually endearing, his total lack of self consciousness. I called him Encouragement Guy.

Do you have anyone you look back on?

Yes! I was in an airport departure lounge and I asked a woman a little bit older than me if I could sit at her table. She looked straight at me and warmly said "go for it" before going back to her reading. It was such a small thing, but I still remember it so well. I have no idea why but it has stuck with me, and this happened about 20 years ago!

I also remember and miss "running jesus" who I used to see everyday on the school run. He was just a random man who looked like jesus and he ran every morning... hence "running jesus". I have no idea where he went but I never see him anymore.

In 1991 I was on a train from Bristol to Glasgow as the sun was coming up, we were about to start up the very steep slope to Shap, and I was looking out of the window. The train was going slowly, and a man and his sheepdog were waiting at a gate for us to pass so he could get across the line (I think). We caught each other's eyes and smiled. That was all, and it was over very quickly, but I have never forgotten it; a moment of human totally unexpected contact.

Whenever I’m late for the bus I remember ‘Pyjama Man’ who used to catch the same bus we caught to college.
He’d just be running to the bus stop, doing up his tie, shoelaces trailing, combing his hair as he sat down.
I sometimes wonder whether 30 years on he’s got his shit together

I'm 54 but when I was 19 I went to Texas, travelled on my own. I met a guy of a similar age from Australia. He was on the way to Hawaii, working his way round the world. We sat together on the plane and he helped me get my connecting flight. He was so open and kind. I hope he's living his best ever life.

I’m disabled, I’m a wheelchair user now, but I wasn’t at this time though my mobility was poor, and I had problems standing still and holding my balance without pain. I was getting a coach and the driver wouldn’t accommodate my getting on quickly so I had to stand in the queue and I was really struggling. A lady I didn’t know and never saw again took my arm and propped me up. I’ve never forgotten her.

Early one morning last December I was swimming alone in a beautiful huge blue lagoon in the canaries, no one around, wearing little except a sarong.
A man came to swim in the lagoon and we started chatting, instead of struggling to talk and stay afloat at the same time, I suggested he swim towards me and climb to sit on an adjoining hidden submerged rock as the tide came in.…..my instructions to him were precise; to swim 3 metres forward, left a bit, right a bit, put your leg out, now use your arms to climb up…there.

We sat there, submerged, enjoying the birdsong, nature and sea sounds I implored “you aren't going to bore me now by talking about locomotives and UK rail routes are you?” - and we both laughed and spent a wonderful and special hour chatting as the tide came in before he swam back to shore. I felt a special connection with this lovely stranger.

A week later I was at the open air terrace in the airport waiting for my flight, sitting grumpily against a 10 foot plate glass window when a face appeared right in my airspace, 12 inches away, right up against the glass but on the other side.
The man wouldn’t stop being animated, smiling, saying things I couldn’t hear, gesticulating with his arms….the more he did it the more grumpy I got, until (assuming he was German) I got out my camera to take his photo, scowling harder to show my displeasure at the invasion…..only to realise it was the same lovely man from the lagoon pointing at his chest and saying “look, it’s me”

With that, as it suddenly dawned on me who it was, he just smiled, turned away walked off down the gangplank descending down to his aircraft and flew off (to East Mids airport) and I will never see him again…

Orlando, the Italian AA man who pulled DM, DSis and I off the M11 on the Christmas Eve after DDad had died, and arranged a truck to tow us and the broken car to our friends’ house in Norfolk. We didn’t actually have the cover, but he sorted it with his boss. A few days later we got towed home again.

I was just reminiscing today about a lovely volunteer at a little museum. I was a single mum and my son was a very bright and curious preschooler and his sister was a baby. He wanted to go and look at a bit of the museum that I couldn't take the pram into, so the volunteer looked after the baby for me. Then afterwards she spent about half an hour teaching my son all about different things while I fed and sorted the baby. It was just a little free museum but with her help it became a magical day out at a very difficult time in my life

People mainly on holiday that I have spent an hour or so with and got their life story. Got deep in to personal or health problems and then never see them again. On transport, at the next table or even in an airport queue.

About ten years ago, I always used to meet a nurse coming the other way when I was walking to work in the morning. We never acknowledged each other but I used to find it interesting to note whereabouts en route we met based on how early/late we each were; there was a spot where it was most common but the extremes were just outside my house (me late, her early) or just outside my workplace (me early, her late).

This carried on until the pandemic struck and I was working from home; when I was eventually back in the office, my hours had changed and I never saw her again but I often think of her when I pass our usual crossing spot.

I had "smiley barber man" who cut my son's hair once. After that I saw him loads around my town, he had such a lovely warm big smile and it always stuck with me.
I found out recently that he died very young, felt so sad even though I didn't know him at all.

Just recently some very jolly Canadians at the next table in a pub, who while chatting to us about how they are loving their holiday despite the cost, reminded me of how lucky I am to live in a lovely city that people want to come to, and not to get too grumpy and cross about all the tourists infesting the place.

The day my mum I was supposed to go into the solicitor’s office with my brother to accept being co-executor (formality but had to be done as we all lived miles apart)…. I got to the door and just couldn’t face it (we’d been calling family and friends all day telling them the sad news)… I sat on a wall next to a fountain feeling empty and so so sad.
Anyway, this big burly builder type of chap sat next to me, offered me one of his chips and said (a popular saying where I’m from) “cheer up lass, it canna be that bad “ …. I said “my mum died this morning “, he put his chips down and held my hand, then put his arm around my shoulders as I broke into loud and snotty sobs and just sat there with me until my brother came.
I never asked his name and tbh I’m not even sure if I said thank you, but that fella made me feel safe for a short while, in a world that had become so scary to me and I will never forget that

Decades ago when living in London in my 20s there was a guy who randomly appeared now and then near tube stations. He busked with bagpipes, wearing a kilt and had an impressive fiery red beard. He was always cheerful and good humoured, bringing sunshine to a grey work day. In my memory he had a tame fox with him but surely that can’t be right??

An older couple that stopped and helped me when my baby dd spectacularly vomited an entire feed that covered her, me, the floor and the bench we were sitting on. They held dd for me while I cleaned it up and chatted to ds while I changed dd. A small thing but very kind and made a big difference to me, exhausted as I was at the time

Don’t remember them but love to all the girls in the nightclub toilets!!

I remember someone slightly older than me at university who just seemed to carry herself in a very classy way. Hard to explain but she just had that poise and dignity about her.

I was on a flight with ex and our 2 DC. DS2 was very little and crying all the way through the flight. Ex was getting cross and embarrassed and not being helpful at all, DS1 was being very good but was also young and was worried about DS2. I was calm on the outside but feeling scrutinised and anxious about the unsettled baby.
The man sat behind me, probably my mum’s age, smiled at me while I was pacing the aisle with baby and said “you’re doing a great job”. He was so kind, I almost cried and have never forgotten what that moment meant to me. I always try to be that person if I see a parent struggling.

These are lovely!

I especially like Running Jesus and Pyjama Man.

Yes! I was on the tube and offered an elderly lady a seat. She was with family and wasn’t from the UK. I think maybe Arabic. She sat down and then reached into her bag and gave me the most beautiful flower! 🌷 I’m not sure where she got it from or what the flower was but it was so sweet.

Also I met a lovely old lady in marks and Spencer at the cake section. We were discussing how cake was our weakness. She was so lovely and I wanted to invite her over for tea, but thought she’d think that was a bit creepy!

Love this !!!

I used to live abroad, I went to a big party with a group of friends. I was at the bar when a guy started talking to me, he couldn’t have heard me speak already, so he didn’t know I was British. He had a broad Yorkshire accent, I turned with a big smile and replied, he returned the big smile. It had been over a year since I’d heard a British accent and I was so moved. We chatted for about an hour, shooting the shit about ‘back home’, he was travelling through, otherwise we’d have stayed in touch. My friends then grabbed me and I’ve never seen him since.
I often think about him, I hope he enjoyed the rest of his travels and that he’s doing well, some now 35yrs later.

Two immediately come to mind: one was a young lad (18) who had come to my home town as he’d been kicked out by his stepdad for being gay. He was so scared and very far from home, I helped him as much as he could. 8 yrs later I still wonder periodically what happened to him.

Another was a relatively young man I used to see round town who was distinctively dressed in a rather old fashioned way for work (would have looked normal in 1982, not so much in 2010). I decided he was probably a tax inspector and made up a while back story - lived with his mother, very sensible with money, unlucky in love. One day a tax inspector came to our office to look at some records we had for another company - it was him, and he was dropping in on his way home and he couldn’t stay long because his mother would have his dinner ready at a particular time!

I lobbed in Paris airport (can’t remember which one) as the most naive 24 year old on the planet. It was super late. Got chatting to a fellow Aussie at the baggage carousel, I guess he was in his 50s. He asked how I was getting into the city. I shrugged and said I’d work it out. He said nonsense I’ll drop you wherever you need to go. And he did. He gave me his business card and said if I had any issues meeting up with my friends just to call.

I thanked him and stupidly (and rudely) didn’t bother to keep the card. I wish I had, and I wish I’d written or sent a card. Lovely man.

My dad moved abroad when I was 16. I didn't visit him for a few years because I was angry he had gone and I had felt abandoned. I eventually visited him when I was 18. When I got on the plane home I burst into tears because I missed him already and knew it would be a while before I saw him again. I was by the window and turned to face outwards, the middle seat was empty and there was a woman in the aisle seat. She obviously realised I was upset and she held my hand for a bit. She was about the same age as my mum and I felt very cared for.