What's The Nicest Thing A Stranger Has Ever Done For You?

[Izulde]

Saw this on my FB feed from a friend of mine, and it was such a great question, I thought I'd ask it of FOFC, too.

The one that always sticks out most to me: I'm in Istanbul during Ramadan, browsing an evening fair. Heard this gorgeous music from one booth, and after asking, found out it was a Sami Yusuf CD. My card didn't work, and I had no cash, so I said thanks anyway, and continued on down the festivities. A few minutes later, someone is calling in my direction. A guy's standing there and he hands me the CD I wanted to buy. I thanked him and asked him for his information so I could send him the money. He smiled and said, "It's a gift. Happy Ramadan." Brought tears to my eyes, and to this day, when I hear that music, I'm taken back to that gorgeous fall evening and get misty-eyed with gratitude.

[JPhillips]

The people that sold us our house surprised us and left a 500$ pub table that we couldn't afford with closing costs and moving expenses.

[Edward64]

Sorry to say but can't think of any event.

Colleagues and co-workers sure, but not strangers.

(This worries me now, have to dig deeper into my archival files)

[PilotMan]

Back in the day when we were really struggling to make ends meet, another pilot family, who we only knew via a 3rd party, who worked for another airline, filled our house with Christmas presents for our kids. We were humbled and awestruck.

[BYU 14]

In 1989 was driving back to Utah from Arizona when the clutch on my Toyota pickup went out halfway between Page Arizona and Kanab Utah. No cell phones back then and here I am sitting in the middle of nowhere relishing the thought of spending the night sleeping in the desert in my truck.

A family drove by in an RV heading down to Lake Powell, stopped, turned around and hooked my truck up to the back of their rig and towed me the 35 miles back into Page, dropped me off at a Motel and invited me to have dinner with them, wouldn't take a cent for the tow and wouldn't even let me pay for my meal. The father said I had a rough enough day and it was their treat.

I was absolutely floored, here was a nice, very conservative (I would imagine Mormon) family picking up a strange man that looked like Axel Rose's cousin at the time, complete with bandana, long hair and cross earring (I couldn't have looked much shadier) and going out of their way to make sure I was taken care of. Great folks!

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Back in the day when we were really struggling to make ends meet, another pilot family, who we only knew via a 3rd party, who worked for another airline, filled our house with Christmas presents for our kids. We were humbled and awestruck.

That is awesome!

[Eaglesfan27]

I was working as a valet at an AC casino during my summer break of college. A couple asked me what my plan was for my future (odd as no one talks to the valet.) I told them I was saving up money for medical school which I start next year. They gave me a 200 dollar tip.

Edit: I'm home with the flu and just had to fix a ton of typos in this post. Back to bed for me!

[TCY Junkie]

When I was 9 I bought pack of baseball cards and 3 pennies short. Told my mom when I got back in car and she made me go pay him. Guy gave me another pack free. To this day when something does not go right I try to go back and make it right. I could have avoided so much crap if I wasn't taught that.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The people that sold us our house surprised us and left a 500$ pub table that we couldn't afford with closing costs and moving expenses.

after we bought our house, we went to dinner to celebrate. Happened to see the previous owners a couple tables over (we had just met them at the closing), no doubt celebrating as well.

they left before we did and had secretly paid our tab. I've always remembered that little gesture.

[nol]

The Weeknd gave me a bottle of Hennessy one time.

[ColtCrazy]

When I was backpacking through Europe, I took a day trip to go to the top of an Alp near Mittenwald, Germany. I misread a sign at the base that said the last cable car came down at 4:30. I thought I had read that the last came up at 4:30. I was at the opposite end of the hiking trail when the last cable car went down. I rushed down and tried to think of what to do. It was 40 degrees (80 degrees at the base) and I was in a light wind breaker. I figured I could try to hike down and risk getting stuck in the dark or I could break into the cafe at the top and spend the night. About 15 minutes had passed when the cable car suddenly came back up. A couple had noticed me and had convinced the operator to return to the top to get me. I will never forget that.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

When I was backpacking through Europe, I took a day trip to go to the top of an Alp near Mittenwald, Germany. I misread a sign at the base that said the last cable car came down at 4:30. I thought I had read that the last came up at 4:30. I was at the opposite end of the hiking trail when the last cable car went down. I rushed down and tried to think of what to do. It was 40 degrees (80 degrees at the base) and I was in a light wind breaker. I figured I could try to hike down and risk getting stuck in the dark or I could break into the cafe at the top and spend the night. About 15 minutes had passed when the cable car suddenly came back up. A couple had noticed me and had convinced the operator to return to the top to get me. I will never forget that.

That's not what I heard happens when you find a stranger in the Alps.