I wrote about the kindness of a SF stranger before. Her departing words to me were pay it forward. Fast forward a week and a half and I had already forgotten her words.
Walking back from the gym a few nights ago, I was approached by some dude who asked me a question. Unfortunately, I didn't like the way he looked, had headphones in my ear, and simply didn't care to stop and listen to his question. Perhaps he wanted to know the time. Perhaps he knew me from somewhere and wanted to find out from where. Perhaps he needed directions. All I know is that as soon as I walked past this individual I regretted my decision to not show kindness to a fellow human being. Pay it forward she said... Have I not learned anything?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Kindness of Strangers
Michele says I need a car. Obviously she has never lived in a truly urban city. Public transportation, zip car, and taxis, "Oh My!". Having a car in SF is highly overrated. If I had a car I would never have had the opportunity to see SF kindness displayed first hand tonight.
Preparation for tomorrow night's dinner required me to buy a crockpot. That required me to go to BB&B. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, I decided to leave the celly cell at home and make like Gump and run run run.
Crockpot in hand (and a few other things for Red) I asked the clerk, "Can you please call me a cab?". The clerk responds, "You're a cab!". Ok, funny guy. 30 minutes later and still no cab. I proceed to ask again (third attempt) for a cab. This time, a woman in line says, "I'll take you.".
My initial reaction was STRANGER Will Robinson! Then I thought about it some more and decided that it was way too cold, I had waited way too long, and hell... she didn't look "too" threatening.
Casual conversation, short ride home, she winds up finally saying that she is actually driving in the opposite direction she needs to go. But, she wanted to show kindness to a recent transplant to SF and that I should just pay the kindness forward. I offered to pay her $20. She enthusiastically declined.
Now, I can't say with a 100% C.I. that this would never have happened in LA or NY. But, yeah...these San Franciscans are a very different breed. Point goes to SF. Thanks Issa (sp).
Preparation for tomorrow night's dinner required me to buy a crockpot. That required me to go to BB&B. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, I decided to leave the celly cell at home and make like Gump and run run run.
Crockpot in hand (and a few other things for Red) I asked the clerk, "Can you please call me a cab?". The clerk responds, "You're a cab!". Ok, funny guy. 30 minutes later and still no cab. I proceed to ask again (third attempt) for a cab. This time, a woman in line says, "I'll take you.".
My initial reaction was STRANGER Will Robinson! Then I thought about it some more and decided that it was way too cold, I had waited way too long, and hell... she didn't look "too" threatening.
Casual conversation, short ride home, she winds up finally saying that she is actually driving in the opposite direction she needs to go. But, she wanted to show kindness to a recent transplant to SF and that I should just pay the kindness forward. I offered to pay her $20. She enthusiastically declined.
Now, I can't say with a 100% C.I. that this would never have happened in LA or NY. But, yeah...these San Franciscans are a very different breed. Point goes to SF. Thanks Issa (sp).
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