Friday, August 15, 2008

The Act of Kindness

Today, something happened that made me have a little more faith in humanity.

After my shift, my desire for coffee struck me hard like a mallet against a steamed potato. so I asked my supervisor if I can get myself a coffee before we start the meeting for our team. Since my supervisor is also a coffee-holic like me she asked me to get her a large coffee with cream only since I was going to Figaro (they have great coffee). I was well on the counter and my order for coffee with cream and mocha java was punched in the machine, and the guy advised me for the total of P170. I checked my pockets and realized I didn't have any cash on me aside from the P80 my supervisor gave me, and that I only have my cellphone pouch with 2 peso coins and 2 cellphones in it. I laughed and explained from the cashier that I left my money at the office, and I have to go back and get my money, since our office is on the 3rd floor, and Figaro is on the 2rd floor only. The cashier was ok with that and I just left my name though.

When I was writing down my name, a man standing behind asked me what I wanted. I told him I ordered two coffees. He offered to pay them for me.

I declined, of course, thinking that it was some ploy for him to try to get my number or set up a date with me (it is possible because I'm pretty hahaha), but he told me that he wanted to perform a random act of kindness and that it would be his treat. Finally I agreed, he payed for the coffees and he gave the cashier the exact amount.

He said, "may pangayuon lang ko sa imo isa lng ka butang" [English trans: One thing I want to ask from you though]" .. and at the back of my head..i thought, "oh great, here it comes, he's going to ask me for my number or something...or worse. But instead, he said, "ibalik mo lng ang favor sa iban nga tawo para patas na ta." [English trans: "Now you have to do a random act of kindness for someone else to get even with me." I was really blown away by that.

I took my 2 peso coin from my pouch and put it in the Bantay Bata can at the counter.

Before going home, I stopped in Chowking, (Molo branch) to buy something, when a disabled old man was standing by the door and asked if I could spare any change so he could get something to eat. I handed him the P50 I had in my pocket and smiled. He said thank you and turned his back. That made me feel better about the good side of human nature.

It's not often that people give favors to complete strangers and want nothing in return except to pass the torch of kindness onto someone else. I know, that sounds really cheesy, but it's the best way I could think to describe it.

3 comments:

  1. Good girl. Well done. *squeeze* (=-

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, a good samaritan. Next time, give more to bantay bata, hahaha.

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi Marie, you are so kind. But next time i suggest that you give them food. they need that more better than money. kasi if money, wala rin silang pakinabang dun kasi ung mga big boss lang nila kukuha ng money. wish binilhan mo nalang sya ng siopao with ur P50.

    basta ur so kind. btw, pls edit my blog's url. pls delete the "blogspot" in there. thanks.

    looking forward to ur visit. :)

    ReplyDelete