I listened to episode 75 of This American Life on my flight home to Phoenix last night. Entitled The Kindness of Strangers, the episode took a look at several stories in New York City, a place not exactly known for its hospitality. I found the episode to be incredibly appropriate based on my interactions and experiences over the day up in Oregon.
After presenting the first part of a Link Crew freshmen orientation I quickly ran out to get some breakfast (a billing mistake at my hotel delayed my more departure and prevented me from eating earlier). I stopped downtown at the local coffee place, and was greeted by the most cheerful coffee employee I’ve ever met. She came across as sincere, as if this was her natural disposition–a pleasant contrast to the “fake” customer service you receive at some places where it is obvious it was an act. She even praised the local vendor who provided many of the baked goods in the shop. She prepared my order and wished me well. I returned the favor.
When I stepped outside, I found a man standing by rental car.
“You can’t park here.”
I went to my personal reflex and became a bit defensive. I knew this was a parking spot. I’m so used to people trying to engage in verbal arguments. I felt myself tense up just a little, but then he continued.
“This is a one way street man. The tow-truck came by, but I told them you were just inside that coffee shop. I’m afraid he’s going to come by again, and I’d hate for you to get your car towed.”
Seriously. Who does this anymore? I couldn’t believe that this perfect stranger TOTALLY helped me out.
Silverton is a small town and the one way streets are not marked like I’m used to in San Jose & San Francisco. I completely messed up, and the tow truck would have had the right to tow me. They didn’t though, because this guy helped me out.
“Thank you!” I said. “Can I do anything for you? Can I give you anything?”
“No, man. Just didn’t want your car towed.”
We shook hands. He then stood in the middle of the street, blocking traffic, so that I could make a necessary u-turn and head back to the school. I never even learned his name. I will forever have a positive impression of Silverton because of this random stranger.
Later that day I had a short visit with my cousin and her family up in Portland just before I flew home. Just this past Saturday, she was in a scary driving incident with her husband and their 20 month old daughter. Luckily everyone was okay, but there was damage to the car. Once again, strangers stepped up, calling 911 and staying with her and her family until everything was okay. One family even happened to have a minivan and adjustable car seat. They volunteered to wait with them and then drive my cousin and her daughter back home. It was a scary day for my cousin, but one component of her retelling is the kindness of strangers.
I just had to pause in typing this because one of my neighbors just walked across some of my mail that was accidentally placed in their mailbox. Wow. It really it just there.
I don’t have some brilliant way to sum up this entry other than:
There is good in this world. There is kindness in this world.
See what you you can do to be kind to others.
Happy Wednesday.