To Pay for a Strangers Shopping?

[NameChangeAgainandAgainandAgain]

I've name changed for this ...

There's a truly lovely thread on Chat called "What is the most memorable moment you shared with a stranger who you never saw again?".

There are many stories about the kindness of complete strangers and what a difference they have made to their life.

Some stories are incredibly moving and talk about how strangers have helped out when, for instance, a loved one has died.

Other stories talk about how a stranger has helped when things have been tough financially.

I know times are hard and reading all the posts has made me think that I'd like to, perhaps, pay for someone's basket of shopping in the supermarket, their petrol or buy someone a coffee etc.

Having read the impact this sort of thing has had on people, and how they remember it so many years on, I'd like to do this rather than donate as such.

How do you do this without being condescending or insulting? And how do you know who to do it to?

I wouldn't want any thanks as I'd probably run off quickly as I'd be embarrassed!

Hope you said no I'm fucking not!

No, my jaw just made a clang as it hit the bit where you load the shopping!

Each time I'm in a chain coffee shop I pay double and ask the barista to pass the free coffee on to someone in need, then go and sit down and watch x

I understand but I bloody wish you'd been able to tell her to fuck right off!

There was a little girl in the queue behind me holding a £5 note and an electric key - Mum was sitting on the bench outside the door bf a baby. I told the check out guy to sort her key out and I’d pay but to put £25 on. When she went to give him the £5 he told her I’d already paid. She ran to her Mum who mouthed thank you to me. I hope she got an even more pleasant surprise when she actually put her key in when she got home. We’ve all had tough times and a little kindness goes a long way IMHO

Oh that's lovely 🥰

💐

@Blaze3 that made me cry. How kind.

That's a bit creepy! Sitting back and warching an unsuspecting person's reaction for your pleasure. Bizarre!

Squirespot

I understand but I bloody wish you'd been able to tell her to fuck right off!

So do I, but for once, I was totally speechless.

Once my sister and I went for a meal and we were sitting next to a nice family. Cute kids, tables quite close together etc.

On leaving and walking back the car we saw the parking attendant waiting to put a fine on the car next to our as it had ran out/ was about to run out so we paid an extra hour and put it on the windscreen.

This guy came running over as we were leaving as he'd seen the ticket guy walking off and the relief on his face that we'd paid for another hour for him. Kids and wife came over a bit slower and it was the lovely family we'd sat next to.

It was our good deed for the day.

I once paid the difference for an old lady in a per food store. She thought she had just enough money for the cat food and treats she'd bought because there was meant to be a 2 for one offer on. It had run out the previous day and she didn't have enough. I offered her the £2 which she didn't want to take but I said I wouldn't want a cat missing out on his treats so accepted eventually!

Not sure why you wouldn't name this reprobate!

Addy? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I had had a bad day of it with my neurodiverse child. A greeter at M+S made the mistake of asking how I was and I ended up bawling. We chatted for a while and she was lovely and helpful, as well as revealing a positive outcome for her own SEN child.
I'd gone in just for one item my kid was desperate for (am usually an Asda gal).
I came out...and that lady had bought me a bunch of flowers.
I think it is one of the nicest things ever to have happened to me.

Hope you said no I'm fucking not!

You should have said "Of course I will - if you want me to report what you just said to me and it results in you losing your job!"

Addy? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Abbreviation for address.

@Ameanstreakamilewide addy is an abbreviation for address.

Some of these are lovely. And some, while well-intentioned, are mortifying.

I think the key is that the help should be at least in theory possible for anyone to do, so it doesn't feel like a huge embarrassing gesture.

So, perhaps making up the small difference if someone hasn't enough money, or helping out with parking. Paying for a whole shop is really OTT, especially in the case of the elderly lady. I'd absolutely hate if anyone did this to me, and I've had very tight moments.

I agree with @GoodVibesHere. It really isn’t helpful or a good deed when you are disrespecting someone.

Also, when someone says something is too expensive they don’t always mean that it’s because they can’t afford it. Sometimes it’s because they think the item is overpriced and not worth paying that much for.

Also, when someone says something is too expensive they don’t always mean that it’s because they can’t afford it. Sometimes it’s because they think the item is overpriced and not worth paying that much for.

Yes I usually mean it as over-priced.

In fairness that poster is probably like me more likely to be on the receiving end and noblesse oblige is exactly how I’d describe it. Some of these are clearly all about the giver and making them feel … what better? Fuzzy? Buying a coffee in a place someone with my disposable income probably wouldn’t set foot it inhas and then watching and waiting for us to drink it? Wtf?

It doesnt always have to be paying for stuff. A couple years ago, I was in Tesco on boxing day. Really bad snow out, lots of local roads boy passable.
I had gone through the check out and was walking past the taxi phone where an old gentleman on it. I heard him say, "45 minutes!" and guessed that the wait for a taxi was 45 minutes. I offered him a lift home. Ended up being a bit more difficult as his wife was waiting at the door in a wheelchair and my car had 2 big car seats in it but we managed to move stuff lift her in and get her wheelchair in with all the shopping.

Just helping someone out doesnt always involve giving money.

Yes in that case, weeping, just a good deed.
not the fairy, maybe - only skimming

What do you think it means.

She insisted on getting my addy so she could send the money back.

Where would you send stuff? An address maybe?