Inspiring people to practice kindness and pass it on to others
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Pay the Tab for the Person Behind You
Have you ever experienced kindness from someone you don’t know? Knowing that someone else noticed you can make your day a thousand times better, especially if you’re feeling down. Celebrate those around you by doing random acts of kindness for strangers, just for the sake of making someone else happy. Pay the tab for someone behind you in line at the grocery store, gas station or the drive-through. It doesn't have to be costly, just friendly.
Benefits
Sometimes it is the simplest act from a complete stranger that can have the greatest, lasting impact on a person. When someone realizes that a stranger noticed them and cared enough to do something special for them, it can brighten their day and maybe help them to understand their self-worth.
Step It Up
Offer to pay the tab for the person in line behind you at the grocery store or gas station. You could also pay for the drink of someone behind you at a coffee shop. If you notice someone who looks like they’re having a bad day, all the more reason to cheer them up with a random act of kindness!
Keep It Simple
When you notice that someone in line in front of you at a store is short on money when it comes time for them to pay, offer to chip in a few bucks or whatever it takes to help them afford their purchase.
Related Resources
- How to perform a simple act of kindness every day
- Here’s a personal story from someone who made their own day and a stranger’s, just by buying her a cup of coffee!
Comments
I had this happen to me today! My 3 kids wanted to stop at McDonalds for lunch. When we got to the drive thru window to pay, the person inside told me that the lady in the car in front of us had paid our ticket and said GOD bless! I truly believe that you should always pay it forward! So far to repay her kindness, I took the money that I was going to pay our ticket with and had enough to pay for the next 3 people behind me. I want to say Thank You to the lady for her kindness and GOD bless you.
Posted 10 months ago by Brandi Taylor from Columbus, MS
I get so much joy from coming to someone's rescue at a grocery store or restaurant! It all started about 13 years ago when I was buying a soda at a convenience store near my office. I realized that I didn't have as much cash as I thought I did, and while I was searching for more, the man in line behind me came to my aid with some change--maybe 25 or 50 cents. He replaced the embarrassment I was feeling with a wonderful feeling that someone cared. It's surprising how little it can cost to come to someone'se rescue. At a restaurant near my office, I noticed a couple of teenage boys that had miscalculated the cost of their meal somehow. I paid the difference--less than 25 cents for each of them--and they thanked me profusely. Earlier this week, while waiting at the checkout at a grocery store, I noticed a man and his son were having trouble paying. So I asked the cashier in the next line how much his bill was. It was around $18 and I knew I had more than enough so I asked the cashier if he could add that to my order. It's surprising sometimes the reaction that will get--the cashier asked me if I was sure. The man came over to me and said, "I don't know what to say. . . . Thank you." Maybe they would have had lunch that day anyway, but I feel so blessed and thankful that I feel like it was my priveledge to be able to help. I think it shows people unconditional love, which is sometimes rare these days.
Posted 7 months ago by Amy Brack from Franklin, TN
The radio station I listen to in St. Louis (JoyFm) does an "act of kindness" at the beginning of each month. They have a note on their website that people can print off, if they choose, which lets the person behind them in line know why their food/beverage was paid for. Needless to say, people have let this flow over into other weeks of the month! :)
Posted 7 months ago by Paula from St. Louis
This happened to me yesterday and left such an impact on me. I live my life being kind but it gave me faith in others again and makes me want to do more.
Posted 5 months ago by Karen from Fairfax City, VA