What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

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Forgive me if this has been done before, but my archive search yielded nothing.
Talking about 'little' things, ie not your mom raising you. You can break it down by people you knew vs. strangers if you'd like.

Just off the top of my head (i'll probably switch after I think about this more):

Person I knew: my roomate in college bought me a new Saint Etienne cd after I had lost mine. just out of the blue. I guess you'd have to know him in order to fully appreciate the act, but suffice it to say that he was very stingy with both money and emotions. He liked the cd too, so he could've just bought it and kept it for himself.

'Stranger': after getting arrested for being at a rave in Indiana while underage (curfew laws), a girl my friend and I had just met at the police station gave us a ride home (we got seperated from our friends, whose car had broken down on the way to the venue anyway). Only people who had rides were let go from the station; the rest had to call their *gasp* parents to pick them up. She didn't ask for anything in return even though we lived in the opposite direction from where she did. PLUR, dude. I gave her everything I had in my wallet (about $50 IIRC), I was so grateful. Oh, and my friend and I were both tripping which made us even more helpless and her seem even more angelic.

― oops (Oops), Sunday, 31 August 2003 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember flying back from California about 15 years ago. I'd been dumb and become sunburnt in amajor way - I had sunstroke, ahd already passed out once, and could barely walk. I had planned to get home by a series of public transport moves, but this just seemed impossible. I rang home. My wife (we had no car at this time) rang my mother. Who didn't much fancy picking me up. She desperately rang other people, ending with someone I really barely knew and was certainly not good friends with. She drove all the way from Bristol to Heathrow to get me. I can't begin to express how relieved I was to get through customs and see someone I recognised.

We didn't become good friends, and I've not seen her since a year or two later, but I will never ever forget how grateful I felt that day.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 31 August 2003 21:25 (twenty-one years ago)

At the end of my first year at Hampshire, my girlfriend was living in a homeless shelter with her three kids, because the only way to qualify for housing assistance in Massachusetts is to be homeless first. I was in the lurch while waiting for that to get processed, and had nowhere to go except my mother's house, which was an odd thing because my mother moved just after I moved away from home, so "my mother's house" wasn't "the house I'd lived in a year before."

Anyway. A friend of mine, not even a really good friend, let me live in the second bedroom of her apartment for a month and a half, and didn't ask me to contribute anything to rent or utilities, just groceries. She had been instrumental in getting my girlfriend to do this housing assistance thing, because it was the only way to afford a place for five people that still had bus and schoolbus access. I don't know if she felt obligated to put me up as a result, or if it was just a further example of her kindness.

― Tep (ktepi), Sunday, 31 August 2003 22:39 (twenty-one years ago)

earlier this year my car crapped out on rattray street and some stranger towed me home. that was very kind.

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Sunday, 31 August 2003 22:49 (twenty-one years ago)

a friend of mine sent me a card from overseas saying how much she loved me. It was expensive and there was no good reason and she didn't have much money and I don't know what motivated her. but it was so lovely.

― Nellie (nellskies), Monday, 1 September 2003 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

We didn't become good friends, and I've not seen her since a year or two later, but I will never ever forget how grateful I felt that day.

I never saw the girl who gave us the ride home again. Can't even remember what her name was, but she had a really distinctive face that I would recognize anywhere.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 1 September 2003 07:00 (twenty-one years ago)

my friend greg rented a car for me so i could drive to grad school when my car broke and i had no money. that was nice.

― Orbit (Orbit), Monday, 1 September 2003 07:01 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.angelfire.com/ns/dougquaid/images/rcall117.jpg

"Twooooooooo Weeeeeeeeeks"

― Alex Trabek (phil-two), Monday, 1 September 2003 07:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I do not know what your problem is, but you are being unnecessarily obnoxious. Perhaps I should follow *you* around ILE and post obnoxious things after everything you post? Would you like that? If you have some kind of problem with me, then get it off your chest. Otherwise knock off this chickenshit bullshit harassment.

― Orbit (Orbit), Monday, 1 September 2003 07:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus, is that the most frame-grabbed scene from a movie on the web?

― oops (Oops), Monday, 1 September 2003 07:07 (twenty-one years ago)

No wonder why everyone's bitchy here. Never experienced kindness.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 07:48 (twenty-one years ago)

IOW, come on now.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 07:49 (twenty-one years ago)

This is a cool thread. I hope it gets really big. And I wish the guy who posted that thing after what Orbit said would not have done that.

When I was a concierge this guy was really kind to me even though I twice sent him up a steep hill to the wrong place saying it was where he could get tickets for the car park. I guess that most people in a hotel are disoriented or something - they're on edge, and not particularly pleasant - but this guy was so humble and kind it reminded me of the 'Jesus in disguise' motif they have in medieval stories - about a cook or a beggar coming to your door at night and it's Him, actually!

― m.s (m .s), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:06 (twenty-one years ago)

In no particular order:-
a friend sent me a book through the post to cheer me up.
got given some trainers to say thanks for the support. (hmm i wonder who!)
having some flowers hand delivered by my parents at work.
getting a hug from my boy's mum on the day he moved out & we moved in together.
Far too many more to mention.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, no need to limit it to just one I guess.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:12 (twenty-one years ago)

oh sorry, was I being greedy?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:13 (twenty-one years ago)

No, no. List away.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks!
One more - when my friend asked me to be a Godparent to her little boy.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:21 (twenty-one years ago)

When I lost all my money and credit cards in Hong Kong, I got onto AIM and the only person I could find was this guy in LA who I briefly chatted to now and then about stereolab, belle & sebastian, and how enamored he was of "twee indiepop asians" and how that coincided with how cute I found "dorky jewish computer programmers/screenwriters". Anyhow, he wired me $100 which meant that I could eat, and survive until I got a hold of a new bank card. We've been in the same city twice since then, and both times made arrangements to meet for coffee so I could pay him back or whatever, and the first time he cancelled because he had the chicken pox [wtf?] and the second time because he had the flu. I was really confused, but anyways, that was pretty nice.

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Is he a bad liar who doesn't vary his lies? or did he lie and do the reverse-psychology 'he won't think I'm lying because a liar would've varied his excuse' thing? or did he really have the chicken-pox and the flu? Hmmm

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Very odd indeed!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Who the hell gets the chicken pox except schoolkids? I think it was all an elaborate setup by my friends. But then again, he did have an LA phone number.... I dunno. What a weirdo.

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyhow, if it weren't for that $100, I would have been completely fucked. Penniless in HK, and my parents and sister were on holiday so I couldn't get ahold of them.

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 08:39 (twenty-one years ago)

that random act of kindness story i told upthread was exceptional to me, because i have no expectations for strangers to go out of their way for me.

which is not to say that i expect my friends to brighten my day...they just do in so many ways that i lose track and i'd be bound to miss something or someone out. things like: rebekah sending me an online birthday card that she made herself (so sweet it made me cry), beth unexpectedly popping round with cake and junk food to cheer me up, anton bringing me the first sleater-kinney 10" from christchurch for no reason other than he is kind, duane hanging out in my room to talk to me for a few hours, people (ha! you know who you are) who just be your friend - unconditionally. that stuff can keep you going when you just wanna throw in the towel.

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 12:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I had chicken pox when i was 19. It was really unpleasant.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 12:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I completely agree, I have nice things done for me all of the time & it's not that I take them for granted, it's just that I am lucky to have a good circle of friends & family to be so nice!

Btw, when you are older you tend to get shingles as opposed to chicken pox. Shingles is said to be the adult version of chicken pox.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

A present my girlfriend gave me on my birthday this year. It wasn't an act of random kindness as such, but it took my breath away with the appropriateness of the gift and how she'd made it herself, and how beautiful it was, etc. etc.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 12:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Probably my parents raising me as well as they could.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

(my dad got chickenpox two years ago phil and nearly died: though it is not that common, it is VERY GRIM INDEED for adults when it does strike)

― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Mandee and I were in Chicago and drunk and had to have Wendy's Crispy Chicken Sandwiches or we were going to just die, but it was late and only the drive-thru was open, so we tried to walk through and the kid working there said that wasn't allowed. This middle-aged woman heard our desperate pleas to the drive-thru guy and called, "Hey, I'll take you through in my car." Then she asked us if we were on ecstasy.

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

My sister had chicken pox when she was in her 20's.

I was out to a long lunch with a whole group of people one day and got to feeling very very sick. Two friends of a friend (who I hadn't even known before this lunch thing) ended up driving me and my car to this one person's apartment nearby. She was very kind and hospitable and I ended up staying the night, and felt much better in the morning.

Another time when I was sick, I was staying at my parents'. This coworker/friend burst in (my mom must have let him in the house) singing to me and playing the mandolin. He had a rose and a candy bar for me, which I thought was very sweet.

And back when I was distance running for high school track, I was the one who always came in last. I ran because I enjoyed it, but was not particularly fast. I was running a 2 mile race, and was actually keeping up with someone from another team (with effort). She whispered to me, motivating me and cheering me on to pass her, and I ended up coming in second. Second to last, that is. I think that was the only time I wasn't last.

I have a lot of people-being-kind stories.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

no shingles and chickenpox are the same nerve zones but not the same thing. I had chickenpox as a child and got shingles about 2 years ago, shortly after I found ILX as I recall, which in those days was 3 shillings and six pence and operated at GREENSPUN.

I had been pushing myself a bit hard going out/working/going out and getting no sleep and I got shingles. It is pretty damn sore. Young people don't really get shingles unless they're "burning the candle at both ends", that's what my doc said anyway.

the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me was probably last year when I lost a cheque I needed to pay back a mate and enjoy my own weekend and our own Andrew Farrell instantly offered to help me out until such time as I could pay him back, which thank god I was able to eventually.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 14:09 (twenty-one years ago)

selfless acts and genuine heartfelt kindnesses.

― piscesboy, Tuesday, 2 September 2003 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Then she asked us if we were on ecstasy

Remember how you had to sit in her kid's carseat? That was a classic.

― Mandee, Tuesday, 2 September 2003 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned doesn't follow instructions! (I would insert a winky smiley dealie here, but Ned's lawyers are pretty fierce)

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

My best friend sent me chocolate in the post when I was having a rough time at college. That was pretty nice.

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

People who send others chocolate in the mail, I mean post, should be rewarded immensely.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Tis hard to pick one nice thing. However, I'd say (recently) that it was a couple of friends getting together to make boxes/spools of CDs to keep me happy in this wilderness

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 2 September 2003 22:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I am eternally grateful to, and would like to take this opportunity to thank, all those people who have cell phones and jump leads and petrol cans and AA membership. And even more those rugby playing guys who hang around highways waiting to help push someone's broken down car out of the traffic. They are heros and saints.

― isadora (isadora), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 00:39 (twenty-one years ago)

issadora, tis so true!

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

This is really soppy, but hell it was nice. Its something that was said to me rather than done. I was fretting to my partner about how I seem to go through cycles of manic activity that crash into depression because the "up" phase burns me out, and he said this:

"That's normally due to a vicious circle, and can be due to the medium of a great mind left to it's own. But I'll be there to catch you when you start falling, and hopefully throw you back up to where you want to be. :) "

I just melted into a puddle of goo. What a wonderful boy. *wibble*

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Count me as another person who got chicken pox in their twenties. If it ever happens to you, I recommend taking a constant stream of Tylenol and Benadryl (drowsy) and basically sleep for two weeks in a room by yourself. It's an ugly business though.

Certain people in my life have done countless nice things for me, and I love them for it.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 3 September 2003 01:06 (twenty-one years ago)

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