Pay it foward

I think that’s the phrase. It’s used to describe the situation when a total stranger shows you an unwarranted kindness- whether it be offering to help carry something heavy, giving you a dollar or two when you need it, or holding the door- that you, in return, “pay it foward” by showing the same kindess to a total stranger.

When I first started working at the grocery store that was my part-time job throughout high school and college, I was a bagger.  I bagged groceries.  Any new grocery store employee has to start there.  Anyway, one day this man handed me two dollars as I loaded his groceries into his cart. 

“Well, I’m not allowed to accept this sir, but thank you.”  And I handed him back the bills.

And he says, “Where I come from, we tip people who do nice things for you.”  So I took the two dollars.

That happened seven years ago. 

Today for lunch, I decided to try this place called Culver’s.  It’s a midwest thing, which is why I’m not familiar with it.  So I go through the drive through, they give me this little number, and tell me to pull ahead into one of the spots.  A couple minutes later a young man comes to my car window with my food.  I remember the man in the grocery store seven years ago, and I had the boy a dollar.  He takes it, looks at it, and looks at me like I’m crazy.

“For you,” I said. 

“Well … uh .. I mean, hey, thanks.  I appreciate it.”

It’s strange how such a little gesture like that seems so shocking.  There you go.  Pay it forward.