# do one kind thing! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 19, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570 "2012-12-19T20:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/21 "2012-12-21T12:17:16Z")
OK. Since I started this thread I think I can make a statement. I’m not condoning Mister Owl remarks. But I think they’re taken in the wrong context. Truth be told perhaps I did want anonymous recognition of my minor but kind act in a way. And there is nothing wrong with that! I would never brag about it to my friends or local people around me. But I did think it might make others reflect and perhaps do something similar. I think I was right. Besides it’s good to hear about these stories. As a side note…When I got home I inadvertently laid the receipt on the table not thinking anything about it. My wife comes home and reads it. She comes up to me and says “Why the hell did I buy a bottle of water, we have plenty of it right here?” Since I’m not typically the emotional type I told what I did and became very embarrassed. She smiled and said OK, that was nice. ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/22 "2012-12-21T13:04:16Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Thanks to **Sodalite** , just thought of another addition to my “giving bag”. Ten one dollar coins to distribute in parking lots and sidewalks. Not enough to cause anyone to turn in as “lost”, but exactly 100 times better than finding a lucky penny. > > **Sodalite** ,I’m proud of you. Hope you enjoyed your reward 🙂 Love the idea of the $1 coins. But it’s a hassle to cashiers (of which I am one of) :D. One of those minor annoyances because we must treat “odd” coins differently when counting our register draws. Keep of the good work. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/23 "2012-12-21T13:15:12Z")
What kind thing you want me do? ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/24 "2012-12-21T13:25:35Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > What kind thing you want me do? A million bucks would be a start. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/25 "2012-12-22T03:05:35Z")
> [@Mister\_Owl](#): > > Do something nice for the sake of doing something nice, not for any sort of recognition. Be glad in the fact that you’ve done something nice, that should be reward enough. This is why I wished I could have blocked my username for that post. > [@lavenderviolet](#): > > It could inspire others to do something nice. > We all have our moments when we do something nice and moments when we do something horrible. We hear enough in the world about the bad things people do to each other, so I think it’s nice to talk about the good side of human behavior too. This is why I posted anyhow. Go **Queen Tonya**!!! That is a true act of kindness that could save a life or 2. You rock!!! ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/26 "2012-12-22T03:29:49Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > This is why I wished I could have blocked my username for that post. > > This is why I posted anyhow. > > Go **Queen Tonya**!!! That is a true act of kindness that could save a life or 2. You rock!!! I’m glad you posted. A little bit of self indulgence does no harm. And if all it takes is that to do a kindness then so be it. Here’s another one. At work we must all buy our jersey’s as part of our work attire. It’s just a red shirt with the store logo. It cost $7.00. First one is given to you. Others you must buy at certain times of the year. I’ve accumulated three of them. A young co-worker who is struggling to support a family has only one shirt available to himself and can’t afford to buy another one until they become available in about six months. Through a “gift” from the company for participating in a program I was given another shirt. I had no intention of giving it away or even knowing of his need for another shirt. The day it was given to me, he happened to be nearby and mentioned he needed one as a passing remark. I looked at the shirt, looked at him and said, “hey, I don’t need four shirts, here, consider it a Christmas gift if you want.” I didn’t think anything of it until later when he got me alone and gave me a real sincere thanks. You’d think I gave him the world. It cost me nothing but made his day. In fact it made mine too now that I think of it. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/27 "2012-12-22T03:47:40Z")
What a great thread! May it inspire ppl to look for a RAOK to do every day! Mine today: Im normally a v cranky person. My long suffering partner knows this and accepts it. Today I apologized for a snarky remark I made. I shocked myself. ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/28 "2012-12-22T05:13:21Z")
I think it is a great thread too. What a great reminder to be kind. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/29 "2012-12-22T05:17:31Z")
There is such a lack of kindness in the world (or at least a perception of the lack) that instances of kindness and thoughtfulness should be brought to light as examples that the world is not totally devoid of good people dloing good things. That the doer of such kindnesses is the one to report it, well, I find it hard to be critical of him, or her. Keep making hearty, nutritious soup for the world, and ignore those who feel the need to urinate in the soup kettle. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/30 "2012-12-22T05:47:49Z")
I do animal rescue. I see some really ugly stuff, but I see some wonderful stuff as well. Once, I was out with a bunch of bikers on our way to get some lunch. Traffic stopped at the light, no cars moved. I looked around and saw that someone was chasing a little bitey dog around. Idiot bitey dog was hiding under a SUV. No traffic would move until the dog was caught, so I put my kick stand down and ran to help catch the idiot dog. When we got her, everyone clapped and then I stuffed her into the trunk of one of the bikes so we could take her to the Humane Society. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/31 "2012-12-22T05:52:54Z")
Tomorrow my daughter will go over 100 hours, and thereby win her 2nd gold medal, in the [President’s Volunteer Service Awards](http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/). She has until April 1st until the end of her “service year”, so who knows how many she’ll get. Among these hours are many at the food bank, including stints of squash picking, can sorting, and prepared lunch packaging. ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/32 "2012-12-22T06:17:21Z")
Yay! Go good people! ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/33 "2012-12-22T12:10:22Z")
I love it. Keep them coming. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/34 "2012-12-22T12:38:15Z")
I’ve a lifelong habit of sharing compliments freely, and long ago made a game of ensuring that I share at least three everytime I venture out. The catch is they must always be sincere. Yesterday the waitress at the steakhouse had the cutest Betty Boop haircut, told her “Great haircut, it’s very flattering.” She was very excited to hear that because she cut it herself. Told a mom and her 9 year old girl that the kid had exactly the right freckle distribution, perfectly scattered across her cheeks. Kid blushed, mom said “That’s what her dad and I keep telling her!” Told a mom who stopped me to ask how old the baby was that she had gorgeous green eyes, they were such a pale, icy green. She lamented her baby didn’t inherit her eye color, and that made her sad because she always felt her eyes were her best feature. Turns out kid inherited dad’s eye color and awesome curls, which I bragged about, too. Target cashier was exceptionally hardy and chipper despite the shopping mob, and I complimented her great attitude. There is something to admire and appreciate about everybody, and it costs nothing to share it with them. It’s not charity or sacrifice(unless you are exceptionally shy) to say nice things to people, but the person who hears nice words may just have needed some kindness. I always keep an eye out for people who need help wrangling a cart, like moms with babes or kids, older people or anyone who appears to be struggling. It’s nothing to hop out of the car and scan the lot for someone juggling groceries and offer to return the cart for them. Pocket full of pennies is nice to have on hand as well, and I tend to run errands on Tuesday because that’s senior citizen discount day and man, some of those people really need someone to listen and share wisdom with, and some seem awfully lonely and really need to bullshit with a stranger. And I’ve got a better range and wingspan than most seniors and can reach all the good stuff. I hate shopping…but I love strangers. Running errands is much nicer when you pay attention to those around you. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/35 "2012-12-22T18:02:11Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > \ There is something to admire and appreciate about everybody, and it costs nothing to share it with them. It’s not charity or sacrifice(unless you are exceptionally shy) to say nice things to people, but the person who hears nice words may just have needed some kindness.\ Wonderful! And even if you _are_ shy, what better way to get out of your comfort zone than to extend kindness to others. It doesnt even take words! ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/36 "2012-12-22T19:16:42Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > I hate shopping…but I love strangers. Running errands is much nicer when you pay attention to those around you. This. People are interesting. And they perk up when you bother noticing them. They then return the favor by treating you well or treating the next person they see well. And how many extra seconds or minutes out of your day does it take? It’s totally worth it. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/37 "2012-12-22T19:49:36Z")
My colleague started a charity called give 10 for 10 (in honor of a teammate who passed from breast cancer). The idea is to do something simple to brighten someone’s day. It’s a great organization. [Give10for10.org](http://Give10for10.org) Anyway… My 10 for 10, was ten fully stocked diaper bags (diapers, wipes, butt cream, baby shampoo, a toy, and a personal note of encouragement)… Distributed up in Staten Island after that bitch Sandy came through. Best $200 I’ve spent in a good long while. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/38 "2012-12-22T20:09:23Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > For all intents and purposes, posting on this message board is anonymous, Mr. Grinch. I appreciate these stories and hope others share theirs as well. I totally agree. And I don’t think posting about it necessarily devalues the act, even if the post is to gloat (and not simply relate a positive experience, which is where I think the OP was coming from). That act was done. It was good. I don’t see how anything done afterwards negates that act, aside from mugging the old man in the parking lot and taking the bottle of water. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/39 "2012-12-22T20:33:54Z")
I like stories about kind acts. The act istelf probably does us more good than the one we are doing it for. It also makes me ask myself the last time I did a kind act. I believe an entire thread could be supported on creative ways of doing kind acts. Smiling at a person who does not get many smiles is a very kind and appreciated act. Listening to someone who seldom has an audience is another form of kindness, giving of your time is one of the most appreciated I believe. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570/40 "2012-12-23T00:19:59Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I like stories about kind acts.\*\* The act istelf probably does us more good than the one we are doing it for.\*\* It also makes me ask myself the last time I did a kind act. I believe an entire thread could be supported on creative ways of doing kind acts. Smiling at a person who does not get many smiles is a very kind and appreciated act. Listening to someone who seldom has an audience is another form of kindness, giving of your time is one of the most appreciated I believe. Bolding mine. I will be the first to admit that I do it for me. It makes me feel good to make a stranger smile. I always treat service and wait staff like I’d want to be treated. “Please” and “No, thank you” and “Have a good evening” are easy words to say. It doesn’t cost me anything to use them and they seem to be appreciated. There are rewards for me there as well. Transactions always go easier when both people involved are being nice. I’ve told this story before, but I can’t find it so I’ll risk being rude by repeating myself. One day, I was sitting in a drive thru at lunch. And sitting, and waiting and sitting. Suddenly, the lady in the car in front of me started getting bags and bags of food. I was steamed. The drive thru is for small orders, if you are taking lunch back for your 20 office mates, go inside! Of course, all I did to show my displeasure was to sigh heavily and turn the page on my book. THEN I saw the lady hand more money to the worker and was all HOLY COW!!! How much longer was this going to take? I’m on my lunch break for crying out loud!!! I started pointedly ignoring her and focused my attention to my book until she left. (do I know how to snub someone in a drive thru or what?) When I pulled up to get my lunch, the worker told me that the lady had paid for my lunch. Did I feel like a churl? Why, yes I did. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-one-kind-thing/644570.md?page=3)