Coffee fairy at the drive-through

Going through Tim Horton's drive through the other day for my latte treat. Order, drive up to the window for pickup and she hands me my coffee saying the lovely lady in the car just ahead paid for mine.

I momentarily think I should do the same for the vehicle behind me until I look in the rearview mirror and notice it's a mini van with at least one child. A conversation I had had a couple of weeks ago with a friend came to mind. He has 7 grandchildren from one of his daughters. When he takes them to McDonalds it costs him $90.00! Somehow I have never used McDonalds and $90 in the same sentence before. Anyway, all I could think of was "$90" so I didn't offer to pay for them. Felt a bit guilty.

Have any of you had this type experience?
 

I've heard of people doing for others, and I think it's a very nice gesture. I wonder if that woman asked what your bill amounted to before she made that decision, she had to know how much it was in order to do that. Like you say, I would have had to have some idea of how much the other person's bill was to do something like that. I wouldn't feel guilty at all Joslyn, it was a kind deed toward you, and perhaps one day in the future the opportunity will present itself for you to help someone else. I personally would like to pay for someone who appeared to be needy or had fallen on hard times.
 
What a lovely random act of kindness you received Joslyn; happy for you. Can't blame you about the hefty bill for all those grandchildren though. You'll find another way to pass the act on.
 

That kind of experience can make some one's whole day better. But the idea is to enjoy it and pass it on later when the opportunity presents itself. If you did it to the next customer it would have been more "payback" it seems. The experience is called "random acts of kindness" .So make it random.I feel giving to others always makes me happier than it does them. I do not have much but love giving.
 
We did something similar. Husband and I were having a sandwich at Subway. Notice a policeman in line after we were seated and decided we should give a small thank-you to her. We secretly paid for her lunch; unfortunately the cashier told the police-woman who paid. She was delighted and we both felt so good. We hoped it helped her a bit and made her day a little better. She deserves it. I haven't had anyone pay for my coffee, etc. but I do love it when someone holds the door for me or lets me go first. Reminds me of manners of yesterday!
 
Crochet Lady, loved what you and your husband did. A very small gesture but made both parties smile. We don't say thanks nearly often enough. My husband is in a wheelchair and I have to say, we find people most considerate.
 
Thanks Joslyn. A question did occur to me though, how did the person who paid for the coffee know how much she was paying? I mean if she was ahead of the happy recipient, how did she know it was only a coffee? We don't have these places, so not sure how it all works.If that happened in England, the person would be deeply suspicious of the kind person's motive and would muse upon it all day!
 
Hi Oakapple. The lady ahead of me simply had to ask the girl at the window the cost of my order. And, honestly, not too much damage can be done at a Tim Horton's drive thru! And yes, I could have done the same for the party behind me - checked the amount first. I just didn't want the embarrassment of saying no in the event it was a large order, ie lots of kids. Bit of a cop out, I admit. No suspicion as to motive. We're the polite Canadians - tend to be very trusting, forgiving etc. Just don't pee in our maple syrup!!!
 


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