People Share The Most Memorable Moments They've Ever Shared With A Stranger
“Meeting a stranger can be totally fleeting and meaningless, for example, unless you enter the individual’s world by finding out at least one thing that is meaningful to his or her life and exchange at least one genuine feeling.
Tuning in to others is a circular flow: you send yourself out toward people; you receive them as they respond to you.”—Deepak Chopra
“Finding your soul begins by discovering our ability to listen!
Alternatively, by sharing a smile, a laugh and just by being human to everyone—from friends, colleagues, family, and especially strangers, including those who are not from the same station in life as you.”—Om Malik
The whole "interacting with strangers" thing that we all deal with on a daily basis doesn’t have to be so weird. Take these Reddit stories for example.
Often, all it takes is a little bit of kindness to connect with someone, and maybe even impact their life. It is worth staying in tune with the world, because one can never be sure of when they will need a hand from a stranger themselves.
42. Keep The Whining To A Minimum
When I was 16 I had to go to the hospital. I don't remember how it happened but I started talking to a guy in a wheelchair.
His name was Harvey, he looked a bit like Jerry Lewis, was in his forties and told me he has brain cancer and only a few months to live.
We talked for about an hour and at the end he gave me some advice. He said don't whine about anything, whining gets you nowhere, either do something about it and if you can't try to accept it. I never forgot that. That was almost 30 years ago.
Harvey, sometimes I whine but I try to keep it short. Thanks for that nice conversation.
41. Hug It Out
Was pretty drunk one night, out at the bars with a couple friends. We were walking to the next pub, and I hear some guy across the street, don’t remember what he was saying though. I pipe up and yell “you talkin crap?” And he responds “
yeah I’m talkin crap.” I start walking across the street with my arms stretched wide, like bring it on.
I hear my friends behind me telling me to stop and asking what I was doing. The stranger walks towards me too, and when we get up close we both just go in for a huge hug. Never met the dude before, and honestly I’m surprised I didn’t get punched.
I’ll always remember that.
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40. Getting More Than A Free Burrito
This was last year it was my 21st birthday and I went to Moe’s for my free birthday burrito. As I was walking out I slipped on one of the mats ( they had just mopped and put the mats back down before the floor dried) and I busted my ass.
I was so embarrassed and in so much pain but a few people helped me up.
One middle aged woman helped me into the booth she was sitting in and took charge of the situation. She had them remake my food and bring it to the table as well as a first aid kit and a manager.
She bandaged up my hand and knee and elbow all while getting the managers information in case I needed them to pay for doctors bills and got me like $100 in Moe’s coupons.
When my food finally came out she made me sit with her and eat. We ended up talking for like an hour, she told me about her and her family and she said if it was her daughter in my situation she’d want someone to step in and take care of her.
When we were finished she helped me hobble to my car and gave me a huge hug and told me happy birthday. I was so beyond thankful for her and her small act of kindness towards me.
39. Lending A Comforting Presence
I'd locked myself out of my flat once when I was taking out the rubbish. It would have been close to midnight. Female, early twenties, and just out of the hospital. I had no way to get in and no money, phone, or nearby friends.
I don't remember this boy arriving or explaining myself to him, but he sat with me until morning the whole night long beneath my block.
He had limited English so we barely spoke, and he shared a tin of pineapple with me he had in his bag. He was calm, empty of ill intent, quiet but watchful. Friendly, a big, open smile. When the sun came up, he walked on.
I'll never forget him, or how kind he was to do that. Some people are so in tune with the world, they protect it. I hope he was ok too.
