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Illustrator Dave, whose question about strangers went viral half a decade ago, was kind enough to share his take on everyday kindness and why some strangers are so altruistic. He told Bored Panda that this was one of his favorite threads ever and had some really touching stories. “It was probably one of the first things I did on Reddit that got to the front page and had an impact. I especially liked that it was positive and hopeful.”
The author of the thread opened up to us that he’s always been someone who will talk to anyone. “Growing up in the North West of the UK and now living in the Midlands, people are generally very friendly and trustworthy. Whilst we wouldn’t maybe encourage our children to talk to complete strangers, as an adult I feel perfectly safe doing so,” he said.
Dave revealed that what inspired his r/AskReddit question in the first place were the interactions that he’d had with strangers. He said that they were small things that, nonetheless, stayed with him. One such case involved someone giving him some change for a parking meter. The illustrator, in turn, paid the kindness forward by pumping up the car tire for someone else who was stranded by the side of the road and taking them to get the vehicle fixed.
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The OP pointed out that his own experiences might not have been dramatic as some of those shared in his thread, however, the entire topic made him realize that humankind is fundamentally good. “Whilst there are so many fractures and divisions, mistrust and fear in society and on the news, on a basic level, people are good and capable of great kindness to people they don't even know,” he said.
Bored Panda was interested to get Dave’s take on why some people are so kind (even to complete strangers) while others are far more egocentric.
“When we watch the TV, the world seems like a terrifying place but when we look out of the window or walk down the street, it's hopefully not, really. I think deep down we know this, but sometimes we need reminding of it,” the illustrator noted.
He pointed out that the way he phrased his question could have led to people sharing negative stories because something that’s memorable isn’t necessarily good. However, that wasn’t the case. The responses were overwhelmingly positive.
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“I think when we are young, the world is full of wonder and seems like such a benevolent, bright, and good place. As we get older, we can easily replace that with anxiety and cynicism,” illustrator Dave shared. However, random acts of kindness can break through all of that mistrust and negativity.
“Most people, if faced with someone in trouble or need, would try to help them. I have kids and I would like to think that someone would help them if they needed it just as I would hopefully help a stranger,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dave shared a few tips on how each and every single one of us can spread a little bit of kindness in our day-to-day lives. “Social media has its dark sides but actually there are many communities and apps that are designed to promote sharing of food and items and helping others. Giving things away and being less precious about money and possessions is a great start, especially if we don't really need them,” he suggested.
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A little girl maybe about 9 or 10 years old was with her family, saying goodbye to her great grandmother .
She waltzed right up to me and said , " sir, why are you crying ? "
I explained my son was very sick. She handed me a miniature puppy doll and told me it was lucky and my son would get better.
She was.right, he did and I still keep that little puppy on my dresser and think of that sweet child.
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“Personally, I always drive around with a pump and some basic tools to help people if they get stuck with a flat tire. Most of the time you can pump the tire up enough for them to get to a garage without having to change it. If someone is short of change at the counter then pay the rest for them. Take a bit of time to listen to people or just offer a few kind words. When someone is stranded, stuck, or in a bad place, the smallest acts of kindness can have a huge impact,” Dave told Bored Panda. You can check out some of the illustrator’s awesome art on Twitter and Instagram.
Kindness. Compassion. Altruism. Whatever you call it, human beings are social animals who are hard-wired to care about others. Our brains reward us when we help someone out, give them gifts, and participate in communal events. So, in a very real way, we’re rewarded for setting our own interests aside for the sake of ‘the group’ (however big or small it might be).
We need strong social connections not only to thrive but also to survive. The health risks of loneliness are very dangerous. The National Institute on Aging warns that prolonged isolation is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and can shorten someone’s lifespan by a whopping 15 years. What’s more, the University of New Hampshire notes that socially isolated and lonely individuals have greatly increased risks of stroke, heart disease, and mental disorders.
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However, the reality of life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. People can and do hurt each other, whether intentionally or not. It’s hard to be kind to others when someone’s exhausted, burned out, and downtrodden. It’s even harder to find the drive to help someone who’s an utter stranger, not someone who’s a friend, family member, or coworker. But if you manage to stay compassionate when you’re feeling down, and recognize that you might have a lot in common even with strangers, then you’ve won a massive victory.
Like most other behaviors, being kind is a skill that we can learn and develop until it becomes a habit. And the key to any habit is consistency. Let’s say that you’ve done some in-depth introspection and realized that you’ve been far too egocentric these past few years. Maybe you've been acting a tad too entitled. Maybe you've focused on your career at the expense of, well, absolutely everything else. You then decide that you want to make a change: give back to the community, be ‘a better person,’ and maybe expand your social circle.
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The best way to develop the habit of being kind to others is to start off with small steps that will get you out of your comfort zone. Start off by, say, smiling at someone you meet on the street or giving out a few compliments each day. Become more aware of your surroundings: try to spot if someone needs a bit of help carrying their groceries, walking across a busy intersection, or getting a pram out of the bus. Pick up a piece of litter and throw it out in the bin. Pay for someone else’s coffee and croissant.
Then, once you’ve gotten the hang of it, consider volunteering your time and energy for a cause you really believe in, whether it’s at your local homeless or animal shelter, or tidying up your neighborhood on the weekends. Put yourself in situations where you can actively help strangers, and you might inspire them to be just as kind to others in turn.
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