At lunchtime I wanted an ice cream. It is a hot day...
Now I could have gone into a shop and bought one for £1.25, but I decided not to and went into a place that sells them in boxes of 4 for £1. OK, they are not quite as nice as the £1.25 each ones, but hey!
So, there I was, eating an ice cream, knowing I could eat a second but not a third or fourth. What to do with the ones that were left.
I saw a guy with a young girl walking towards me.
Here goes!
"Excuse me, I hope you don't think this is too weird, but I bought would you like an ice cream? I can't eat them all."
They were slightly bewildered, but the girl happily took one, and the guy thanked me.
I continued.
100 yards further on there were a few guys clearing stuff out of a house into a big skip/dumpster. As I passed a hot, dust-covered worker looked at my ice cream with obvious envy.
"Do you want one?"
I whipped the last spare one out of the box and handed it to him.
"You, sir, are a true gentleman!" he declared to the world at large.
I smiled and continued on my way.
Amazing how such simple things can brighten someone's day. Wish I had bought another box now!
6 comments:
if someone did something in the US like this they would be met with interesting looks or responses...but it's nice to know somewhere it's happening
Ahhhh, summer is here and all is right with the world, eh? Isn't it funny how people smile and make eye contact, stop and even chat to the odd (well, maybe not the ODDEST) stranger? I'd love to have been offered an ice cream like that, I'll bet it made their day!
I think people especially love an experience like this because it is SO unexpected. We all expect to see selfishness and greed everywhere we look. Such pure and simple generosity is a rare thing.
Anonymous - Hi! I think I got some odd looks here too!
Shrinky - maybe we will meet in London one day and I can get you an ice cream.
Terri - Aw, thanks.
I think what you did was great, but if you did that down here, you'd probably have the cops called in. Too many people suspicous of each other's motives. Still nice way to brighten someone else's day.
ahhhh, how wonderful. It does feel good doesn't it.
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