when i told my friends at work my tailor and snickers story, one of them went ahead and one-upped me. he told me that his sister-in-law went to buy herself a coffee and the person in front of her had already paid for hers.
since he told me the story, it really stuck with me. if someone had done that for me...paid the $1.25 for me to have a free coffee...it would have made my day. a simple gesture. 5 quarters. and it would have meant so much.
so today, when i went through the drive thru at Tim Horton's to get my coffee, i gave the guy at the window a $5 and told him to use the change on the car behind me's order. at first he looked confused, and then it hit him. and he smiled at me.
i didn't see the person behind me's face. i didn't get to see his reaction to getting himself some free Timmy's.
but i hope it made his day.
and i hope he pays it forward and makes someone else's.
so, i thought about it and thought about it. and then i decided i should take it a step further and ask all of you guys if you are up for the challenge. pay for someone's coffee in a drive-thru. or pay for the person's latte behind you in line at Starbucks. it's hardly a sacrifice. a couple of bucks.
I am all about "random acts of kindness" whether it is picking up a piece of trash in the Wal-Mart parking lot or waving someone to turn in front of me in traffic. But you have inspired me...next time I'm in the bank I'm going to to make the person behind me's mortgage payment!!!
Tee-hee...see, it's true, I can be irreverent about anything.
Posted by: Di | August 04, 2007 at 06:51 AM
I have done this a few times too, usually for a frazzeled Mom behind me in a line...... it does feel good.
I also like to help the little old ladies at grocery stores with their carts. They always seem to struggle getting them up and down the curb.
Posted by: SleepyNita | July 31, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Love the idea, wish we had Timmy's here!!! (mmmmm...).
Will have to be content with dropping off 50 kids videos at the charity shop instead and 50 others at the paediatric ward!
Posted by: Heidi | July 31, 2007 at 10:04 AM
At first I was like, you get Starbucks coffecc for 1.25 in Ontario, lol, but then I realized you went to Timmy's ..
I LOVE this idea - and it would be fun to do .. such a nice gesture in the world of rush and rudeness I think!
Good for you Ali!
Posted by: sarah | July 31, 2007 at 07:52 AM
I hope the cashier didn't keep it for himself, though? Love this idea, Ali! :)
Posted by: Haley-O | July 30, 2007 at 09:24 PM
I've actually been doing this for a couple months now. It's the BEST feeling in the world! I was inspired by a post on another blog where it had happened to her. It's become my Starbuck's tradition! :)
Here's that post:
http://emeryjo.blogspot.com/2007/06/coffee-has-redeemed-itself.html#links
Posted by: Kerry | July 30, 2007 at 06:48 PM
What an absolutely lovely gesture. I love it and will try it myself!
Posted by: Sarah | July 30, 2007 at 04:46 PM