You will think I am crazy, and you may not believe me, but I swear it's true. Unless the item was a very special Christmas present for my dearest acquaintance, I would give them the item, apologize, and ask them if I can help them with the rest of their shopping. I've given up the last sale item before, and the look on their face is worth losing the "deal". Their whole attitude changes, sometimes they offer to give it back, they become friendly and start telling me how embarrassed they are and how much stress they are under, and how many folks are out of work in their family, how they don't normally act like that and they don't know what came over them.

Random acts of kindness, even to people who don't deserve it, what a great concept. They surely must need that item more than I, and if it were not for the random acts of kindness from strangers that I have experienced along the way, I shudder to think where I might be. Besides, the story you have to tell is worth far more than the device, don't you think?

I especially like to help old people, or people who are obviously new to a grocery store and have no idea where the economy cheese slices are stocked. Such a small thing, but what a nice smile it sometimes brings to their face, especially if it's the last item on their list and they really want to get home.

I've changed flat tires for people, led them to the entrance ramp to get back to the expressway, drove a man to the gas-station when I saw him walking with a gas can, helped a family take down a tent in the rain (they obviously needed help), little things that don't cost anything but time. On the other hand, I am a large and rather fearless man, and I understand that not everyone feels comfortable or even safe around strangers. It's important to stay safe and to feel comfortable. If you participate in random acts of kindness for strangers, stay safe. There's much you can do from a distance.