2008.11.21
Paying it backward
Frequent blog reader Brandi Robertson sent me a wonderful e-mail this morning about an experience she had on her way to work:
This morning while I was in the drive thru line at Starbucks-Tower's location I ordered my Grande hazelnut hot chocolate because I have now become an addict. I pulled up to the window and the barista informed me that the car in front of me had already paid for my cup and wanted to tell me Happy Thanksgiving. He had no idea who it was. I was stunned...what a simple way to really make someone's day...so I said, well let me go ahead and pay for the person behind me. Now there was a really long line and I wonder how far back the generosity went.
So needless to say the person in the Red Blazer really started my holiday season and I hope the Grande mocha with no whip and chocolate chip cookie is feeling as excited as I am.
I was also hoping if at anytime you could ask your readers what random acts they have gave or received it would get everyone excited about this generous season.
After hearing Brandi's story, I got curious and called that particular Starbucks store. The employees informed me that they did indeed remember that string of generosity in the drive-thru lane this morning. It lasted for 5 or 6 cars, they said. Now, we may never know what sparked Red Blazer Person to do that. Regardless, it started a brief chain-reaction that probably started off people's days on a sweet note.
Has anything like this ever happened to any of you?
I frequently drive on the Deleware Turnpike heading to see family in NY. It's a toll road, and one Christmas driving up there I pulled to the toll booth and the lady said the car in front of me had already paid and wanted me to have a "Happy and Safe Holiday". I thought that was so nice, so I paid for the car behind me and told the lady to wish the truck same holiday greeting. I was a little less irritated when I got caught in slow traffic later that afternoon and I am pretty sure that stranger wishing me well had something to do with it.
Comment by Amanda — November 21, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Never happened to me but it does inspire me to do the same! SO when I go for a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (DE.LISH.US.), I think I'll do the same! THAT is the holiday spirit!
Comment by Lori — November 21, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Not me personally, but a kind older couple paid for my daughter's and her date's dinner prior to prom this past spring while dining at Montano's. My daughter said that they had chatted with the couple and when her date went to pay, the waitress said that the older couple (who had left prior to this) had paid for their dinner. What a nice treat and it made a magical night even better!
Comment by Band Mom — November 21, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
Oh - I wish! What a wonderful story! I have goosebumps just reading it!
Comment by Amy Hanek — November 21, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
What a wonderful story!
Comment by Debbie — November 21, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
No, but very cool!!!! We need more random acts like this in these trying times!! Here's to the "Red Blazer Person" and all of those who followed suit!! Happy holidays.
Comment by Pam — November 21, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
What a great story! Nothing like this has happened to me that I can think of. Once a man "tipped" me a dollar when I was a Taco Bell cashier, but that was just creepy.
Comment by Aimee — November 21, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
I've never been a recipient, but I love performing these types of acts. I once paid for the car behind me at a fast food drive-thru. My most recent act was at a restaurant. My son and I were having dinner and noticed an elderly couple sitting near us. They didn't appear to be financially struggling, just a nice couple having dinner. We paid for their dinner and covered the tip for the waitress, and they never had a clue who did it. We fought to keep the smiles off our faces while we watched them looking around the restaurant, trying to determine who had treated them to dinner. We left with a little extra bounce in our steps.
I've also bought groceries or meals at restaurants for folks who forgot their money or didn't have enough to cover the total. But I also refuse repayment efforts -- just encourage them to help someone else out one day.
If you are ever having a down day (or even if you're not), I highly recommend performing a random act of kindness. It will lift your spirits and keep you smiling for some time to come.
Comment by Diane — November 24, 2008 @ 11:19 am
I wonder how that works with the different drinks?
I don't frequent Starbucks, but when I do go I just get a regular cup of coffee. If I were to go through the drive-through and the person in front of me "paid backward" for something more expensive, what would happen? Would the employees just pocket the change or put it toward the customer behind me?
Comment by Mason — November 24, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Mason -
When you go through the drive-thru the person taking the order has already entered your order into the computer by the time you get to the window. While your order is being prepared, they have taken the order of the person behind you. By the time your order is ready, they already know what the next customer wants and start making it before you have your window rolled up. That's how they were able to pay correctly for those behind them.
Comment by Kim — November 24, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
This happened to me at my freshmen year of high school Homecoming dance. There were four of us dining at Carlos next to an older couple. We chatted with them throughout dinner and they finished and left. After they left, our waiter came over and told us to order anything we wanted off of the dessert menu because the couple had asked to pay for it. So sweet!!
Comment by Sarah — November 25, 2008 @ 9:56 am