Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Someone was just very kind to me

287 replies

Sairelou · 09/03/2017 14:53

I'm still feeling a bit emotional about it too!

I took DCs to Morrisons cafe as we needed a couple of bits on the way home from the park and they were getting hungry. I went to pay and my contactless card wasn't working Blush I couldn't remember my PIN either and after a couple of tries I was getting really flustered and hoping the ground would swallow me up. Typically I had left my credit card at home and no cash on me. I went to get DS who was sitting down at a nearby table to leave (bracing myself for the inevitable tantrum, understandably!) and the gentleman behind me in the queue offered to pay for our lunch!

I've put something on my FB page and hoping to track him down so I can repay him and I will certainly do the same if I see anyone else in that situation (provided I can remember my sodding PIN). Smile

OP posts:
phoenixrose314 · 10/03/2017 17:57

I am bawling my eyes out here.

I have had a lot of kindness over the years, but one in particular stands out - I was in the car with a screaming DS (18 months old), my DH had been away all week and our relationship was going through a rough patch, I was on the verge of tears because I'd just found out about a friend's mum getting cancer, and as I reversed out of a car parking space I crashed into someone else's car.

The guy got out of his (very big and expensive) car, looking quite understandably angry, and said "what the hell?!"

I totally fell apart, crying and shaking and apologising, I couldn't believe I'd just done that. DS was still screaming and my legs wobbled as I got out of the car. The man's demeanour immediately changed and he ended up comforting me and buying me a sugary drink from the shop nearby to stop me shaking.

I'd just smashed up his car and he was understanding and kind, I know many others would not have been. If you're reading this, thank you so much. I suffer with extreme anxiety and you made that situation so much easier for me.

debsam · 10/03/2017 18:00

Have you ever seen someone in a dress or top that you like? I try to go over to people and tell them how much I like their outfit. The smile on their face (after they work out that I'm not some kind of weirdo) is worth the couple of seconds of embarrassment from talking to a stranger. (Of course, my teenage sons get terribly embarrassed about me!)

SuperFlyHigh · 10/03/2017 18:04

Last summer was walking through the park and tripped on a nasty piece of broken path (now mended) coming down a hilly part.

My left knee was cut and bleeding, I was shocked, a family nearby tried to help but then a woman with a baby in a pram said "come with me", 2 minutes out of the park was her house, she gave me a glass of water and brought me cotton wool and water and Dettol and a plaster so I could patch myself up then let me stay about 15 minutes so I could get together and walk home. I was very touched by her kindness.

dstill1964 · 10/03/2017 18:11

Some lovely people about. I pay it forward. Sometimes it's just the simplest things ; I had an elderly gent insist I walk under his umbrella the other day when it was raining. I'd started the day off in a foul mood but it changed my mood right round Smile

jobergamot · 10/03/2017 18:13

I had a puncture in the pouring down rain on Sunday and was trying to ring round to get some Sunday service garage man to come and change my wheel. I was with 8 yr old DD who was a bit anxious about the whole thing. 2 taxi drivers in a rank opposite where I was obviously took pity on my plight and came over and changed the wheel. They wouldn't take a penny off me ...

ChrisYoungFuckingRocks · 10/03/2017 18:13

On some forum somewhere he is probably saying some weird woman who had clearly been crying (because of this thread) and secretly smoking told me she had 16 rabbits and then gave me lots of loose change.

😂😂😂😂

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 10/03/2017 18:14

Meepicheep Shock what a lovely coincidence. Love these threads.

It was only a small thing but I was in a shop a couple of days ago with my DD who was not quite tantruming but close to it. I was trying to get the bare minimum of food we needed and get out of there. Couldn't see what I was looking for so asked a member of staff who took me there, got the item off the shelves and asked me if she could get me anything else. I know it may have just been good customer service but she looked really kind and cheered me up.

rachaelclaire1 · 10/03/2017 18:18

That is so nice

JOEYDOESNTSHAREFOOD · 10/03/2017 18:18

I was heavily pregnant, waiting for a taxi with my shopping outside a supermarket when a dishevelled older man started hasselling me for money for drugs. In my usual state I'd have told him to jog on but I felt vulnerable and just froze. He got louder and angrier and everyone around me was pretending they couldn't see it. All of a sudden a passing car screeched to a halt and a man - younger and smaller than me shot out and yelled at the guy to back off, which he did. The young man then parked his car and waited with me until my taxi arrived. 😊

Blossomdeary · 10/03/2017 18:22

I once went to a concert in St David's Cathedral - I go to their festival every May, but this was late September and I had forgotten that it would be dark when I left. The lane to the car park had no lights. Because I walk slowly with a stick, everyone else got to the car park way before I did and were long gone - so no headlights to help me on my way.

It was very scary as I was having to feel my way through the pitch dark - there is a raised grassy area in the middle of the lane and I was terrified that I would trip over it - as I knew I could not get up again!

A car driven by a woman came towards me, slowed down, called across the road asked if I was OK - I said I thought I would make it (how polite and stoical we Brits are!) - a few minutes later a car came up behind me - it was the same lady. She had driven round the one way system to come round on my side and drive me to my car - I was very relieved indeed, and so grateful.

PeachyImpeachment · 10/03/2017 18:25

A stranger saved my life once!

Reebs123 · 10/03/2017 18:25

A lovely lady gave me her daughter's unused ticket to the cake show. I was standing in the ticket queue. Unfortunately her daughter was ill. She wouldn't take any money. What a generous lady! On holiday I got stuck on the hotel stairs with a pram. I was getting hot and bothered. A nice man came & helped me.

Reebs123 · 10/03/2017 18:28

On the way home a group of boys starting shouting racist remarks at me. A man riding his bike stopped, told me to ignore them & then walked with me until the boys were out of sight. Thank you.

caringcarer · 10/03/2017 18:40

In Aldi the lady before me in queue was trying to buy a packet of nappies and some milk and she was told her card payment would not go through as declined. The shop assistant loudly told her and she looked mortified and the child started to cry so I told cashier to cash up my few items and I would pay for all. I think most people who could afford it would do the same, only cost £5

KarlosKKrinkelbeim · 10/03/2017 18:42

I was in Marrakesh recently and was approached by a lady selling bangles, I didn't want any and said so. She asked me where I was from and when I said England insisted on giving me two for nothing, because she loves English people. A poor Berber lady, I made her take some of my Euro change in return but she wasn't looking for it.
So there you go - we are loved in morocco!

SituationNormalAllFuctup · 10/03/2017 18:44

When I was a kid I came off my pushbike in spectacular fashion and I had some pretty horrendous wounds to my arms and legs. This lovely young couple in a really posh car (leather seats back in the 70;s were rare) picked me up and took me to the doctors surgery i the nearest village. They had been to collect a siamese kitten and the lady handed me the kitten to fuss to take my mind off my ordeal. I was in shock and shaking and I got that car and that kitten caked in blood and grit. It must have messed the seats up good and proper too.
I try and pay it forward. I have paid for a bit of shopping here and there for people. I did it at Gatwick airport recently. A bloke couldn't pay for the carton of milk as his card wouldn't work. It was only a pound so I paid. He was stunned and didn't get it at all. I thought that was sad. We should all be much nicer to each other.

Natsku · 10/03/2017 18:48

One little thing I like to do is if I'm at a place where its a take a ticket and wait system (benefits office where I live for instance) and sometimes the wait can be ages and I decide to give up and come another day - I give the ticket to someone coming in. It makes no difference to the others already waiting as the new person just takes my place but it can make a big difference to the person coming in who might be in a rush, or have small children who can't wait patiently.

zaph0d · 10/03/2017 18:52

Years ago in my 20s I was driving on the motorway to a really important job interview. Suddenly I realised a tyre had gone flat - I managed to pull over safely onto the hard shoulder. I got out and stood shaking in my interview suit, sheer tights & heels. I knew I could change the tyre but that it would take me ages and I would be late for the interview.

Within moments another car pulled onto the hard shoulder in front of me. A man got out, and barely saying anything, and changed the tyre in a flash. He then dashed off, ignoring the banknotes I tried to offer him, while still in a state of shock.

I have often remembered my knight in shining armour over the years. I got the job, leading to a long term career in the field.

MiddlingMum · 10/03/2017 18:55

Another one I've posted before. In a supermarket (so many kind things happen in supermarkets!) a woman with a screaming toddler was struggling to sort out her shopping at the checkout. Some people were starting to stare and the poor mum was really flustered. An elderly man in the next queue dashed off and added a large bunch of flowers to his shopping, then gave them to the mum telling her she was doing a fantastic job. He said "My boy used to be like that, he's a copper now, don't you worry."

WellTidy · 10/03/2017 18:55

DS had a neurology appointment at the Evelina children's hospital in London. We got the train to Victoria and I got a black cab to the hospital. DS was distressed as he is a lot of the time. I was putting my bravest face on, so I thought. Cabbie dropped us off and wouldn't take the fare from me. He said he never allowed anyone going to the children's hospital to pay. If I wasn't a wreck before that, I definitely was afterwards!

ironmanslady · 10/03/2017 18:56

I really like this thread Smile
I have another one, I missed a payment on a store card because a very close relative had recently passed away and my head wasn't completely together. I didn't realise until they told me to get in touch, I did and the man told me I'd missed a payment and there was a late fee etc. I completely understood but he asked if there was a reason why as I'm usually on time with repayments. I told him about the sudden death and he said I'm so sorry all fees have been wiped. He didn't have to do that but it was a lovely gesture, one I truly appreciated at a time I was so down.

allwomanR · 10/03/2017 19:00

We've just moved a few months ago- lots of issues in the house especially plumbing ones- I was 8 months pregnant and had to ring my plumber again one Sunday as water was running through the ceiling from a small water tank above into my sons bedroom. My plumber not only came round within 20 minutes he didn't charge me for the call out. Needless to say I recommend him to everyone!

LornaMumsnet · 10/03/2017 19:04

We're sending this over to classics now Flowers

MarvinKMooney · 10/03/2017 19:05

My dh was in road traffic accident a few weeks ago. He's ok but it was terrifying at the time. The kindness people showed was overwhelming: from the PC at the door to the teachers in the DC's schools. And even just little things like taking the bins out to the end of the drive (I still don't know who did that) and leaving a bunch of spring flowers on the doorstep. A
So kind. Flowers to every one of them.

MiddlingMum · 10/03/2017 19:08

Thank you Mumsnet Smile