Communications Pro Blog

Recently, a Good Samaritan did just that – for me. I was at a specialty food store and had just checked out a $75 order of holiday goodies. As I swiped my card, the cashier explained that in order to keep their prices down, they accepted only cash and debit cards. My face flushed. I had $40 cash with me and had left my purse at home, hoping to ease my burden and not such a heavy load while shopping. I stood there wondering what to put back and how to do so without holding up the line. That is when the woman behind me asked how much I needed? At first a look of shock came over my face, and then the realization that she was offering money to a complete and total stranger.
I quickly did the math and said “$35, but are you sure?” Her response was: “Yes, absolutely. Are you sure you don’t need more?”
Still in awe of this act of kindness, I checked out and then waited for her to check out before giving her my business card and getting her contact information, vowing to send a check once I got home. I told this story to family and friends throughout the week, and they were also somewhat shocked that this woman placed her trust in me.
“You look trustworthy,” said the cashier, as the transaction was taking place. Was it the fact that I had my reusable bags and was dressed in business attire, having come from a meeting? Had I been wearing my paint-splattered sweat suit and baseball cap, would I have been treated differently? Somehow I suspect not. I later drove by this woman’s home, and found that it was not a mansion by any means, but a typical split level Colonial with probably a middle class couple or family living in it.
As the holiday rush is upon us, I am taking a moment to reflect on the genuinely good, trusting people out there, who would dig into their wallet and hand over $35 to a complete stranger. I’m not sure I would have done the same before this encounter, but now I know that I would do the same – unconditionally – in the future. Would you?