I'll Never Know...

[windinthemaples]

I'm never there to catch their reactions. I'll never know the impact of my action, but for several weeks now I've been paying for other people's food. Driving through Starbucks with two sleeping kids in the car or cruising through Taco Bell for a last-minute mealtime, I've made it a point when I get to the window to say, "I'll pay for the car behind me, too."

The cashiers don't question me. It is surprisingly simple to do. I collect my order and drive off without looking back.

I'll never know, but I often wonder about what people think. Do they think someone in the car ahead of them was flirting? Does it make them smile and reengage with their day in a new, more positive way? It probably doesn't matter, financially, to someone able to afford the luxury of fast food, but does it help them in ways they didn't realize they needed help? Does it make them think, each time they return to that place, of the one time they arrived at the window to discover a stranger had paid for their meal? Will they think to pay for someone behind them someday?

I'll never know. I hope, though, that they might rethink their opinion of the world and its inhabitants. I hope they feel a moment, no matter how miniscule, of wonder.

Comments

[rubymulligan.livejournal.com]

You are amazing. <3

[creativitywitch.livejournal.com]

:-D *beams*

[elaby.livejournal.com]

You are SO AWESOME.

It probably doesn't matter, financially, to someone able to afford the luxury of fast food, but does it help them in ways they didn't realize they needed help?

First of all, totally YES to that second part, but I know that even when we're really not in a financial position to get fast food, sometimes we're so late or frustrated or whatever that we DO ANYWAY, and having the person in front of us pay for our food would be a blessing.

[caitirin.livejournal.com]

Exactly :) It would just be such an unexpected treat :) It would make me feel so lucky and happy and would make me want to do something nice for someone else in return :)

[erigeneia.livejournal.com]

That is so sweet of you. *hugs*

And from my time in family practice, I know that some people get fast food because they can't afford slow food, in time or money or whatever. So you may in fact be making someone's day more than you know.

There have been a couple instances where random strangers have gotten me food-- the guy in front of me at the airport food place pays for my fries, or something. And it's meant a lot to me.

[aerialmelodies.livejournal.com]

People do that often at the toll road here during rush hour, and they say it's amazing how once one person pays for the person behind them, the next person pays for the next and so on. I do think it's making someone feel like they are important and matter because someone cared enough to pay $1.00 instead of 50 cents. It's tiny, but such a big gesture. I've heard the Starbucks around here occasionally get that as well where if one person starts the chain, it will continue for a few cars. It's neat to think how the simple act of paying for someone's coffee in turn incites them to pay for the coffee of the person behind them.

I love that you actively do this; there is so much to learn about myself through your actions. <3

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

there is so much to learn about myself through your actions. <3

Agreed. <3 I want to do this, too.

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

<33333333333333333333333333333333333333333

I love you so much. This made my heart leap. The tiniest acts of love and kindness in my life have done the most magic exactly when they needed it--I have absolutely not a single doubt these do, too.

I. Love. You.

[xelasminin.livejournal.com]

a very pregnant couple once paid for me and my kids meal at Pizza Hut. They sat by me the whole time smiling kindly at me or the kids. When they got up to leave the husband commented on how well behaved my children were and I was very gracious.

Next thing I know the waitress comes up to my table and says, "you know the couple sitting beside you? They paid for your meal."

INSTANT tears, the waitress was crying and they were all so happy. So in turn I was able to actually leave a MUCH larger tip for my waitress too.

TRUST ME........You are making these peoples day and they smiled all day long! From personal experience! :)

[emmaleth.livejournal.com]

You are awesome. <3

[neva-butterfly.livejournal.com]

You are spreading good in the world. I hope and believe people will want to pass it on.