People are sharing stories of the kindness of strangers – 17 heartwarming (and funny) tales
Here’s a thread to make you feel just a little bit better about the world in these hideously uncertain times.
It all began when @amandamull over on Twitter remembered the time a complete stranger came to the rescue after she dropped her wallet and keys as she got on the train in New York.
every now and then i remember the guy who, 11 years ago, in my first week in NY, saw me unknowingly drop my wallet, keys attached, while rushing to get on the L at Bedford and scooped them up and absolutely fastballed them into the train as the doors closed
— Amanda Mull (@amandamull) April 26, 2022
he did not say anything, the wallet/keys smacked against the back wall of the train and fell to the ground, and i was able to get back into my apartment in the middle of the night. anyway i just almost lost my wallet again and that reminded me! i hope he’s doing great
— Amanda Mull (@amandamull) April 26, 2022
And it prompted people to share their own stories of the kindness of strangers and it’s a wonderfully heartwarming (and occasionally very funny) read.
Here are 17 of our favourites.
1.
One time on the Boston T I saw a mom holding an XL Starbucks ice coffee over the head of her toddler and start to drop it. A guy in an impeccable business suit swatted her cup at the last second so it spilled all over his suit instead of her baby
— Eli Fels-McDowell🌹 (@elizabeth_fels) April 26, 2022
2.
When I was about 8 mos pregnant with my 2nd (I was huge) I struggled to get onto a donut float on a lazy river at a water park until a crowd of people waiting in line hoisted me on – and then cheered as I floated away
— Jennifer Baron 🌻 (@jenbaron) April 26, 2022
3.
One time in 1988, my Chevelle quit in a turn lane. I started pushing from the passenger side with the door open so I could steer. Suddenly I hear “Where we going with this?” and I look back to see two guys who had stepped up to help push.
— JohnQFugly (@GallopingMetal) April 26, 2022
4.
One time on the D train a lady left the train and somehow got disconnected from her kid (about 7-8) so I mouthed to the mom “next stop” so I got off at 125th and waited for her with the kid. She was so happy and disheveled about it and tried to pay me
— Runaway love (@carmen_brown83) April 26, 2022
5.
When I was hugely pregnant, I lost my balance as the train started up. I was in freefall. Two men on either side of me quickly grabbed each arm and pushed me back upright. It was 12 years ago and I’ve thought of it countless times since.
— Kathleen Romig (@kathleenromig) April 26, 2022
6.
I got off bus on lower Broadway in 2011&my shoe didn’t. Bus pulled away – was plotting emergency shoe purchase when the window slid open (I didn’t know they did that) and my shoe came flying at me at slammed into the building right in front of me. Not quite a Cinderella moment…
— Dr KB – Wandering Wounded (@WanderWound) April 26, 2022
7.
I once passed a mom pushing a stroller and holding a bunch of balloons and they slipped from her grasp but I was able to grab them before flew away and even on my worst days I think at least I was able to do that
— Kate McKean (@kate_mckean) April 26, 2022
8.
Once this singer on the subway started harassing me. He got in my space, commented on my outfit, criticized me for ignoring him, etc. This other guy then told off the singer, told him to leave me alone, and bullied him off the train. Most importantly (1/2)
— Elizabeth Brus (@ElizabethBrus) April 26, 2022
… (2/2) the second guy NEVER asked me for any thank you or acknowledgement for his intervention (which I was very grateful for). He got off 1-2 stops later and I truly think about that guy on the subway at least once a week and hope he’s doing well.
— Elizabeth Brus (@ElizabethBrus) April 26, 2022
9.
I once found a guy’s wallet and harmonica in the graveyard near my apartment, and the entire conversation where I returned his stuff was us trying to avoid the reason either of us were in a graveyard to begin with
— cursed chicken (@_cursed_chicken) April 26, 2022