Random Acts of Kindness
Trip Start
May 31, 2008
1
11
28
Trip End
Dec 15, 2008
Hamilton,
New Zealand
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I spent the work day dodging a client who, though he has seen me nearly every day for two months, seemed particularily interested in me and my pants. All day he was reaching out to touch my leg all the while muttering that "Gentlemen don't touch ladies trousers, they keep their hands to themselves". Of course, it was making everyone but me nervous. To be honest, I could outrun him and working with individuals with autism has honed my reflexes to a razor sharp degree... and really, he's pretty harmless in a room full of people putting themselves between him and I. That isn't to say that I ever take anyone I work with forgranted, I have had enough small children pull fast ones on me to know never to let my guard down especially around men who are bigger than me.
Mostly, the nerves of the rest of the staff in regards to this "issue" was wearing me down. I may be short and younger than the rest of them by decades but you all know I can more than take care of myself. By the end of the day I felt frazzled and slightly harassed. Also a bit amused - I didn't think I was looking particularily attractive yesterday! ;)
A couple hours later, I was waiting for the bus to head to my evening job. With my IPod in, trying to shove dinner-on-the-go in my mouth I didn't notice the man who stepped up behind me until he got close enough for me to smell him. He reeked of alcohol and in dire need of a dip in a pool of disinfectant. Paying no mind, I put my bus pass on the machine and was told I didn't have enough money on it to take the bus.
Side Note: They have a brilliant system here where you buy a bus pass and put money on it like a credit card then they sort of swipe it whenever you get on the bus. The only issue is that you have to top it up with $10 minimum everytime you are low.
I moved aside with a sigh to look for my wallet in my massive purse and I suppose this was understood as I was going to get off the bus because the man behind me stepped up (yes, the smelly drunk one) and said he would pay for me. Finally, I looked up and saw a tall Maori man in his thirties covered in filth that had probably been there for weeks, if not longer. He was wearing a winter hat even though it wasn't especially cold out and his pants were torn as if he'd fallen recently. He didn't look like he had two pennies to rub together and I began to protest, telling him no, thank you, it was okay I just needed to get my wallet. He quickly pulled out a handful of change, counting out two fares and insisting I accept, handing me my receipt (proof of purchase).
I tripped all over my tongue in thanks, expecting him to follow me through the bus and sit next to me but he sat at the front and chatted with someone he seemed to know while taking subtle sips of the beer he'd smuggled on. I just smiled to myself and knew that to look at him most people would never think anything other than he was a "useless native bum" (there is racism here in regards to the Maori, not as bad as the aboriginals in Australia but still present).
When it was my stop, I went back to thank him again and held out my hand. He moved the beer in his and kissed mine, telling me I had made his evening. I wanted to buy him another beer but apparently the Hamilton buses are BYOB and I left mine at home!
More proof that the cliche is true and there really is no point in judging a book by it's cover and random acts of kindness really do make a difference in someone's day.
xox K
(Yes, yes, I'm still working on the pics!!)
Comments
Cliches are often true
That was a lovely story. :)
Random....
Thanks for sharing that story, Babe. Though very touching, that is what you do. You don't judge people....I am sure you learned that from me ;)
Love you
she carried herself with an uncommon grace
always a time to make a difference in the lives of others. And you, my dear are an inspiration.
XO