--- title: "AskReaders: What is the nicest thing a stranger has done for you?" url: https://www.kickassfacts.com/askreaders-what-is-the-nicest-thing-a-stranger-has-done-for-you/ date: 2019-01-24 modified: 2019-01-24 lang: en author: "jazz" description: "We asked our regular contributors through e-mail What is the nicest thing a stranger has done for you? We got many interesting responses. Here are some of them. We have..." categories: - "AskReaders" - "Specials" image: https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/snow.jpg word_count: 3309 --- # AskReaders: What is the nicest thing a stranger has done for you? We asked our regular contributors through e-mail**  What is the nicest thing a stranger has done for you?** We got many interesting responses. Here are some of them. We have just copied and pasted their responses, not editing them in any way. ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/airport.jpg) 1. After long delays, my flight was canceled while I was standing in line at the gate to board it. Next day was my Son's first birthday. I needed to be home. Went to the United desk and they refused to help me in any way. Not only could I not get another flight that day, but nothing the next day either. Despite the fact, I was internetting the hell out of my phone and showing them all sorts of flights, direct and connecting that would get me there they were refusing, and I just didn't have money to go buy something else. I was starting to lose my cool. A guy in line stepped out after hearing me. Told them he was some crazy status, and asked to speak directly to the manager. Next thing I knew he was transferring his own ticket on a direct flight to me so I could get home to see my boy. I don't even know what happened. I tried to thank him in every way I knew how and he refused to take anything from me, just told me he knew how it was when he was younger and would have wanted someone to do the same for him. I hugged the guy (probably against his will) and ran and made my (his) plane and was in a first-class seat home. Seriously, dude was an angel I'll never forget. - billbapapa 2. My birthday one year was really sucking. I decided to go buy myself a cake at the grocery store and get it decorated because it was my birthday and I wanted something nice. When the guy at the counter asked who it was for (in retrospect he meant what name to put on it) and I said it was for me, he was incredulous that I had to buy my own birthday cake. I just kind of shrugged and went out to finish shopping for groceries. He said my cake would be paid for at pick up. When I came back to pay for and pick up my cake, a different person was at the register and she said my cake had been paid for. It was also decorated a bit more than I thought it should have been. I have not seen that guy working there since and in my head I've called him the cake fairy. It was a good cake. I still cried eating it because the entire day sucked, but it was a good cake. - mamblepamble 3. Thanksgiving day, 2003. I was driving down to my parents on Long Island from Buffalo, a 7-8 hour drive. As I'm about halfway, I get a blowout. The tire is just shredded. I managed to get the donut on and slowly got into the next town. (Most of New York state is just... farms and nothing.) I stopped at every store that would conceivably have a tire, but nothing was open. I stopped at a police station, they told me to get a hotel until tomorrow. So I hop back into my car and try to make it to the next town, try there. That's when my donut went flat. So I get out and start walking. It is 2003, I don't have a cell phone, so I knock on the first house I can find, hoping they'd let me use their phone so I can call my parents. The lady who answered the door invited me in, let me use her phone, offered me food and then, to my complete shock, called her friend who owned a used car dealership, had them tow my car to the dealership and put on a new tire, free of charge. I went from completely missing Thanksgiving and having to spend the night in some shitty hotel outside Binghamton to being back on my way within 2 hours. I'll never forget that lady. - -Words-Words-Words- 4. In 1990 I was 19 years old, driving cross county by myself and all I have is $63 and a Texaco card. I'm close to empty one night somewhere in Iowa and pull up to a Texaco station about 5 minutes after they closed. I was trying to only use my Texaco card and conserve what little cash I had. The person working the station wouldn't open to give me gas so I decided that I'll just put all my clothes on (it was December and about 11 degrees) and sleep in my car until they opened in the AM. About 2 am I hear a tap on the window and "I'm going to have to ask you to step out of the car!" It was the sheriff. I explained what was going on, he ran my ID to make sure I didn't have warrants or anything and then ominously states, "That's not how we do things around here." OMG, I was terrified. How do you do things around here? What's going to happen to me?!? Apparently, he was pissed that the guy at the gas station left me there. So he calls the owner of the gas station, makes him come down in the middle of the night and fill my gas tank *for free*. Then the sheriff calls his wife, let's her know what's going on and she tells him to bring me over to their place. Mrs. Sheriff proceeds to feed me, let me take a shower and sleep there until the next morning. Then she feeds me again, packs me a lunch, gives me $20 in cash and sends me on my way. It was seriously one of the most wholesome things that have ever happened to me. - RhinestoneHousewife 5. I was in a deep depression some years back and I just decided to walk in the park. I had sat down for some minutes and a kid, who could not have been more than four years, came up to me and handed me three yellow sunflowers. This random act of kindness is one of the most memorable in my life. - AgeOfWomen ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/snow.jpg) 6. Here in upstate NY we just got a foot of snow Saturday. Came out to snow blow my driveway to my driveway already having been plowed. It's a long driveway. Anyways whoever did it didn't leave a note or anything, no idea who did it. Thanks, stranger. - cactusbanger 7. I helped a guy go through TSA at La Guard-ya in NYC. Around 2008ish. He'd never flown before, had no idea what he could take on the plane, how much, etc. Security told him he couldn't use his plastic bags he has his stuff in. Anyway, what rattled me was the fact that he was shoving pairs of very new Nikes into a trash bin- I couldn't fathom why, so I went to ask. He explained his situation, so I told him that if he held tight, I'd go through security, buy him a carryon so he could get his stuff through. He handed me a hundred and I gave him my crochet project bag to hold as insurance. Got him a suitcase, went back and gave him it and the change, and showed him how to go through, remove your belt and shoes, etc. He thanked me and we hugged, going our own ways. My flight was delayed by 3 hours at the last minute and I was already exhausted. I used my purse as a pillow and covered up with my coat, and fell asleep against a wall. When I woke up, there was a fuzzy travel blanket, convertible neck pillow, eye mask, a bag of cookies, and a little plush dog with a note tucked in his collar. He stuck this gift between me and the wall and never woke me up. I ended up traveling for 11 more hours and that thoughtful little package saved my sanity. Random airport dude, I'm glad you got to keep your kicks, and I still have the puppy. I named him LG. - berthejew 8. I bought my condo at 27 from a guy I’ve never met. There were a lot of offers way over asking price in a competitive market, but I offered what I could. I had lost out on many places before over months of searching, being outbid by ridiculous cash offers I had no chance of beating. I fell in love with this neighborhood and made two other failed offers here earlier, so I wrote him a letter just telling my story, how hard I’d tried to save everything I could to buy my first place and make a home and start really establishing myself. He ended up taking my offer over much higher bids because he bought this place decades ago when he was a struggling 27 years old trying to establish himself and my letter resonated with him. He probably could have made another $40k, but he wanted to give me the opportunity he had. I’m forever grateful. - HorseMeatSandwich 9. I fell asleep at the wheel and drove my car into a ditch right at the entrance of my street. Must've been 1 AM. This guy was outside on his porch in a white t-shirt, rain boots, and boxers having a smoke. Yells over to me if I need help. I say I do. He says give me a sec. Brings out his old Toyota 4 runner and hitches my car to it. Pulls my car out in no time. Never seen him again. - StinkyJockStrap 10. My bathing suit flew off one of those wave machine things on a cruise ship when I was young. Not down a bit, exposing some of my butts. Off. WHOOSH. Trying to stand, keep my boyhood covered and looking for my trunks in a tsunami was tricky. A towel hits me in the face. Thank you, kind stranger. - NowYouzeCantLeave ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ask-readers1.jpg) 11. My sister went to [Europe](https://www.kickassfacts.com/europe-facts/) at 20, as a once in a lifetime thing, back in 1973. Saved up all her money for it for a couple of years. She unwisely spent every last dollar buying souvenirs at Heathrow before taking the return flight. As she went to get boarded, she discovered that despite the fact that she had already paid for her ticket, TWA had increased the price of the flight due to fuel prices. She had no money and they demanded 100 bucks to board. She sobbed in fright at being stranded in [England](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-about-england/), with no money. The man behind her in line paid it. - ThisIsTheShitForReal 12. In [Paris](https://www.kickassfacts.com/30-kickass-interesting-facts-about-paris/), the Metro is not wheelchair-friendly. We got stuck once because the accessible station was closed and we were diverted elsewhere. Two guys walked up, picked up my MIL in her chair, carried her up a flight, through the turnstile, and down a flight to the platform. Quick as you please, and they wanted nothing more than thanks. I don’t think they even knew each other. - LowerSeaworthiness 13. I was on the bus freaking out about how I was going to feed my fiance and I as I was the only person working a 100% commission job. A stranger heard me on the phone freaking out on the verge of tears and politely alerted me I had "dropped" some money. It was 40 dollars and me my fiance used every penny. I never got to thank them but I quit that job I think a week or so later and found something way more stable. - AGGroAzteca 14. When I was 9 or 10 I missed the school bus. This big guy picked me up and run towards the bus screaming to try to make the bus stop. It eventually did and he put me inside of it and then dipped, I couldn't even say thanks. And I was a chubby one no less. - sowydso 15. When I was around 8, I was crossing a street without much looking. As soon as I started crossing, a stranger pulled me back by my shirt. Of course, a car flew at the same moment. Thank you, stranger. - jkovvv ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/keys.jpg) 16. Was out clubbing and dropped my house keys. Next day, get a letter in my mailbox with a guys phone number. I text him, turns out he found my keys in the club, recognized the building they belong to (student housing), came to the building and tried the keys on every single mailbox until he found the right one. Then gave them back to me. Nicest guy ever, glad he didn't rob me instead. - the_nils 17. I was at a bar with my then-girlfriend. Seated next to us was an older gentleman who was alone and looking forlorn. After a time, he tapped my girlfriend on the shoulder and said, "I like the way you two talk to one another. Here's what I'm going to do - I spent a fortune on these tickets for my wife. Unfortunately, she can't go anymore, and I just don't feel like going without her. So I'd like you two to have them. The only catch is that the concert starts in twenty minutes." He didn't elaborate, nor would he accept payment. He asked only that we go, enjoy ourselves, and keep being good to each other. He paid his tab and left. And that's how I got front row seats to Prince. - DukeOfCheddar 18. Was a groomsman at a wedding and my flight got delayed, like really delayed. So bad that Delta brought out the "We are sorry" care packages and complimentary pizza. Towards the 7th hour, I started getting pissed that the front desk wasn't giving us answers. Well, when I was going off, some 7-foot tall diesel looking, black guy, saw me, got in line for the complimentary pizza - and handed me the plate, I ate it and reflected on what a prick I must have been. Later he found another flight and was kind enough to ask the front desk women to book two tickets instead of one. He gave me the other ticket. Apart from the nod I gave him once we got off the plane, I never saw that dude again or even learned his name. I made it to the wedding just in time. - Moots_point 19. When I was 11, I was stupid enough to cross in front of a bus with only a cursory glance backward and I missed the minivan that had just started to overtake the bus. I got hit by the left-hand corner and flung across the road, injuring my legs (my knee still hurts sometimes all this time later) and splitting my lower lip. As I lay there, a lady who I had seen on the bus a few times, came over and helped me over to the curb, checked me over, made sure my parents were called, made sure an ambulance was called and generally looked after a scared tearful hurt little boy. She was wonderful and I still see her around to this day and she always gives me a big smile when I wave hello. - DigitalRoman486 20. I was once feeling really down cause of school and just life in general. I stopped at a convenience store on the way home to pick up a bit of chocolate to make myself feel better. The guy at the register must have noticed how miserable I was looking because he let me have the chocolate bar for free. It was a really simple act of kindness, but it almost made me tear up in that convenience store and instantly improved a shitty day. - angry__donkeys ![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wallet.jpg) 21. Dropped my wallet in a mall parking lot, some lady found it and mailed it back to me with a nice letter. All the money was still in it. I felt like a Dark Souls character who reversed hollowing at a bonfire. - EverGreatestxX 22. When I was really ill in October 2017, my father also became even iller than I was in another country. There was nobody else around for him who gave a shit, so I had to fly over there to see/support him and bring him home with me after he had recovered from the surgery. I had just been through a lot of trauma, and I was in no physical shape or emotional state to be getting on a plane but there was literally no other option. The flight was only around 2 hours but even that was way too much for someone as weak/frail as I was. When I was waiting in line to board the plane, I could immediately feel myself getting dizzy/panicky but that got a lot worse when I got onto the plane and when it started to take off. I started having a full blown panic attack, hyperventilating and crying in the seat. I was sitting at the window, and there was a rather large man sitting in the middle and his daughter on the outer seat. The man noticed me crying and he and his daughter switched seats, she took my hand and said something along the lines of ''You're okay, we're here. There's no need to hold this anxiety back, we're not going to judge you, just let it happen everything will be alright''. She just hugged me and told me shes so sorry while I hysterically cried. Once we landed, she and her father drove me in their car directly to the door of the hospital my dad was admitted to (1 hour+ away). They even offered to book me a hotel for a night or two, but I already had accommodation sorted out. I don't know what I would have done without those people that day. We have each other on Facebook and she occasionally checks in with me. - theghostofborat 23. Going through the line at Aldi and I had a bunch of stuff for WIC. [Cheese](https://www.kickassfacts.com/cheese-facts/), [milk](https://www.kickassfacts.com/30-kickass-and-interesting-facts-about-milk/), yogurt, cereal, and juice for my pregnancy with twins girlfriend. Find out Aldi doesn't participate in the WIC program and oh shit I'm broke otherwise. I apologize and ask if they could restock it for me and out of nowhere, this nice lady says she can cover it. I say wow thank you but not needed as I can go to [Walmart](https://www.kickassfacts.com/walmart-facts/) down the road. She insists, tells me congratulations, and best wishes for the babies. She really restored a lot of my faith in humanity that day. - Korprat_Amerika 24. Once, I was carrying my sobbing infant in the grocery store while waiting in line to check out. I was super overwhelmed (it was my first trip out after my son was born), and a kind older man said: “One day, you’re going to look back on this with happy memories and even miss these moments”. He then insisted that I cut in front of him in line, and bought all of my groceries. Man, that made a huge impact on me. What a wonderful man. - southernbelletx12 25. I spent some time helping a customer that my co-workers seemed annoyed with/couldn't be bothered with because she had so many questions. The lady left and about 30 minutes later she flagged me down in the parking lot as I was going out to break. I went to her car and she thanked me and handed me a bouquet of flowers she'd just gone and bought for me. Very sweet and very unexpected. - dasistverboten