A random act of kindness I won't forget
Monday, March 15, 2010 at 8:17PM 
Kindness Virtue Quote Card @ Etsy
Last week I went grocery shopping and didn't realize I left my wallet at home until I was checking out. Been there? The good news: I had the checkbook on me. The bad news: no ID. I didn't buy much...some beef broth, can of diced tomatoes, fruit and a few pre-made lunch items. My bill was $29.00. The cashier calls the manager and explains my check with no ID situation. The managers says they can't except my check and this is to protect me. I can understand they have a policy and the issue with bounced checks. But this is where I stand. My check is not going to bounce, I shop here all the time, I'm hungry and my kid is running around. Can someone help me here, please? So then the manager comes out. She continues to restate the grocery store's policy, yada yada ya. Then a very kind lady, in the next aisle, overheard the manager refusing to take my check...
She says, "ma'am, I will buy your groceries for you and you can pay me back."
Do you believe this?? I almost cried buckets. Then the manager stepped up and said they would accept my check. A customer is willing to take a chance on me so now the manager decides I'm ok. Unbelievable.
I thanked the generous lady several times for her offer and was on my way with my toddler, beef broth and tuna sandwich. I drove home thinking how amazing it feels when the barriers come down between people and we treat each other like humans who have not been stolen from, hurt, betrayed or taken advantage of.
After I told my husband the story he made a very good observation. Did they even look in your bag? Someone who is writing a bad check doesn't buy beef broth. They buy lobster, steak and expensive red wine. Good point.
I look forward to paying it forward,
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Reader Comments (6)
I've heard of these rare acts of kindness around Christmas time. That was a beautiful description of the experience. I boil over the policies so many stores have installed and withdrawing any flexibility, especially when you are a frequent shopper.
Thanks Katie. This lady was amazing. She offered up her generosity and I think about what I would have done - I would have been pissed at the store watching them hassle a lady with a baby but not sure I would have said - hey, let me buy your groceries for you! Now I would :) hugs, misty
Loving the lady in the next aisle - she's a Beauty!
Reminded me of an experience I had at our local grocery magnate a few years ago... Single parent of child gifted with autism, virtually no financial support, no family around to call upon in emergency - and I had no money to buy food for us. I had only credit card numbers (plus 3-digit code, signed letter of authenticity & OK from the bank, phone numbers to contact my mother who gets & pays the bill 1,500 miles away).
Spoke with the assistant manager, who said he couldn't make that OK or nay, "but can I give you some money to tide you over?" I declined the offer (happy tears welling up) to wait to speak to the manager (who's family owns it). He boldly said, with a grin and chuckle, "I wouldn't do it if you were my sister!"
Sure, I boycotted the place for a while, as did a few friends. Letting go of the anger felt better to me, and now I find myself automatically checking to see if I can offer up exact change to the customer ahead of me. Small, perhaps, but it always leaves me, the customer and cashier feeling pretty good... and that works for me!
Keep on keepin' up the love!
Good Afternoon Misty,
I love this post...and it exemplifies the whole reason I wanted to start my new site called Speaking Thanks. I would love if you would consider submitting this story.
Thanks,
Lacie
http://speakingthanks.blogspot.com
Yeah that's bad luck It happens to me, I was about to buy buy viagra and I had just a check and I was too far from my place and I was going toa date... you can imagina how frustrated I was...
Very interesting post! I wish I had got your ability to write. I look forward to more updates and will be returning. Thanks for sharing with us.