10 wholesome interactions with strangers the left a lasting impact on people's lives

The kindness of strangers.

In a harsh and competitive world, it is immensely heartwarming to discover the innate kindness that certain strangers have. Despite maybe being very different from us, strangers can do the simplest acts that make a person's day. These gestures also remind individuals that compassion knows no bounds. It can be something as simple as a person offering their seat to another while traveling on the bus. u/EpicesPotato asked the Reddit community, "What's the most wholesome experience you've had with a stranger?" Here are 10 of the most touching answers that individuals provided.

1. A friendly nurse 

I was in the hospital, knowing I'd be there for at least a week, and possibly more. I was sick of hospital food, so I went downstairs to go across the street to the hospital Subway. I was pretty far back in the hospital - sixth floor, backside of the building, labyrinth of staircases and hallways to get out the front door. The walk from there to Subway took almost fifteen minutes, even though it was just across the street. I waited in line, got up to the counter to order, and realized I'd left my wallet in my room. (I ordinarily keep my wallet in my back pocket, but there was no need to in the hospital since I was in my room most of the time.) I was exhausted mentally by that point from the stay, told them I'd forgotten the wallet, and turned to make the trek all the way there and back again. All of a sudden, a nurse behind me bought my food for me, saving me the trip (and the money). I thanked him profusely. That was years ago, but I will never forget that act of kindness. u/Reddit

2. Help with night buses

I was traveling from the South of England to the North of Scotland to start a new job the next morning. I had taken a train up to London and was supposed to get on an early morning flight from Heathrow. The bus to the airport, however, was canceled and I had to make my own way using a series of night buses. However it was about 2:30 a.m. and my phone was dead, I had never used London's night buses before. I was young and a little scared, standing in the middle of Victoria trying to figure out the faded bus schedule when a woman came up to me and asked "Are you alright love?" I explained through tears that I thought I was going to miss my flight and didn't even have an oyster card. She looked up my route on her phone and wrote down all the possible variations of buses and trains that I would need to take, including the times. She waited with me the entire time, like twenty minutes, then when the bus came up she paid for my fare (no cash on London buses). I got out and looked at her and she shrugged and said "Oh I'm not getting the bus, you just looked like you needed someone." I think about her every once in a while, and I'm incredibly grateful for her. u/Reddit

3. "You did not deserve that"

I was in an abusive relationship and it ended with him beating me up very badly. Broken ribs, bruises and cuts all over me. He was arrested, but the process and aftermath were hell. It was spring and the weather was warming, but for weeks I wore long sleeves and high collars to hide the cuts and bruises. Eventually, everything healed and faded except one very deep bruise on my upper arm. I had had enough of hiding them in shame so one day I said fuck it and wore short sleeves. I was standing in line in Walmart and noticed this rough biker-looking dude staring at me. I thought he was checking me out or whatever. Then he asked me how I got that bruise on my arm. I stumbled answering and he outright asked "Did somebody hurt you?". For some reason, I decided to be honest and not lie in shame so I said out loud "Yes, somebody hurt me." He looked at me and in the kindest voice said "You did not deserve that. Whoever it was will get what's due to them one day." For some reason, that was a turning point for me. I knew then that I was going to be ok. I knew that no matter how things turned out legally, I was going to be okay. I never saw that man again, but I honestly think he was an angel sent to give me a message. u/Missesmommypants

4. A relatable stranger

I once took my son to a local science center for a day of fun. I also have cerebral palsy. I get around well enough. Sometimes I use a wooden cane, but I'm all right unsupported. I rock a mean limp and have terrible balance, but if you were to see me walking around most would just assume I had been injured at some point. While walking around I spotted this woman with a young daughter of maybe 7-8 using a walker and sporting a pair of leg braces. The mother and I locked eyes a few times throughout our free-roaming day until eventually, our kids started interacting with the same exhibit. We were standing there watching them and I turned to the mother and before I could even speak she said: "Cerebral palsy. You too, huh?" We ended up spending the rest of our day together chatting about our lives and experiences and going over the many advancements and therapies that have been developed since my childhood. She ended up telling me at the end of the day that seeing me being a single dad to my son and being so independent in spite of my disability gave her a lot of peace of mind. She said she worried a lot about what her daughter's future might hold in terms of her independence. It was just an all-around really nice experience. u/Theearthhasnoedges

5. Repaying for picked flowers

I had a knock on my door and when I opened it, there was a stranger with a gift card to a local garden store for me. Apparently, her kid had been pinching tulips from my garden every day to give to his mom and they wanted to pay for them, once they figured out whose garden they were coming from. I had thought squirrels were doing it and had regretted planting them the year before, not being able to enjoy them! I spent the gift card on more bulbs! u/Greenfireflygirl. My fiancé used to do that for his mom. He got caught though. They weren't happy about it. His mom couldn't punish him though. He was 5 and bringing her flowers, roots and all. u/viciann

6. Fixing their bike 

This happened when I was around 9 or 10. I was out riding my bike with my mum, and halfway through the trail, my bike broke down. Anyway, we couldn't carry the bike back home since it would take hours, so we were just stranded in that field. There were a few people on the trail who saw our inconvenience, but either they didn't have any bike knowledge to know how to fix it, or they couldn't be bothered to care. At least an hour had passed before this old man, and I mean like really old (he looked to be around 80) approached us and fixed our bike free of charge. He got his hands down to the grease, and eventually, after a few minutes, I could start peddlin' again. I thought that was a really wholesome moment, his kindness and coolness to our situation. And that's why this memory sticks to me I guess. u/PepeTheFRQG

7. A set of much-needed jumper cables 

When I was 16, I’d taken my mom’s old Pontiac Bonneville to the movies and I was in such a hurry that I forgot to turn off the lights. When I came out, the car was dead but someone left a set of jumper cables on the hood with a note that said, “I hope you make it home safely”. I’ve never ever forgotten about that. Since then I’ve tried to pay that kindness forward any way I can. Edit: Thank all of you for the awards. I was about 20 miles from home and this was before cell phones were affordable so that person saved me that night. For those asking, I'm assuming the person came out and saw my lights on and maybe even saw them running low/flickering and knew there was a possibility they would burn out before I made it back to my mom's car. Even if my battery hadn't died, it was a nice gesture. u/IDGAF_GOMD

8. An impromptu movie plan 

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" just came out in theaters. I had been planning to go see it on my next day off. I didn’t have a car so relied on the bus. The day of the movie came and there was a snowstorm. I walked downtown to get the bus but there was a sign saying all buses were cancelled due to snow. I was super bummed out and walked over to the local coffee shop. I ordered a coffee and told the owner how disappointed I was that I couldn’t get to the movies. There was an older woman sitting in the shop and she overheard us. She looked at me and said ‘I really want to see that movie too. Let’s go, I’ll drive’ So that day, me and a perfect stranger went out to lunch and to see a movie together. About a year later I started seeing this guy in town and his downstairs neighbor was the lady who had taken me to the movies all those months earlier. We had stopped by her house for her to get a sweater before the movies. I told the guy "I and your neighbor went to see Crouching Tiger together." He was like- "That was you?" She went on and on about how cool it was to go to the movies with you. u/cptnsaltypants

9. Help while drunk 

I was really drunk and started puking in the trash can in the women’s bathroom since there was a line to get to the toilet. One of the girls in line held my hair up and rubbed my back, telling me I’d be okay. I drunkenly told her I loved her; I may also have been crying. Wherever you are, Bathroom Girl, I still love you. u/DonutCarrotAll. At a high school dance, I wasn't drinking, but I started feeling sick at the end of the night. As everyone was lining up to leave, I raced to a trash can and started puking. My date disappeared, but this stoner dude I barely knew rubbed my back, told someone to get me water and a cookie and talked to me. I was embarrassed (as most 15-year-olds would be), but he made a huge difference. I had a few classes with him over the course of high school, but he never mentioned it again. He was a cool dude. I hope he is doing well. u/Bi-Bi-Bi24

10. Paying for their medicines

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety and I was at the pharmacy trying to get my meds filled but my card kept declining. A couple of the medicines have major side effects if I skip a dose so I really couldn’t go without them. I was frantic and trying to figure out what was wrong with my card when another lady smiled and swiped her card for me so I could get my medication refilled. u/bluegrassmommy. I sympathize with you here. I’m in the same situation. Skipping even one dose can be bad news. Luckily my physician overlaps the prescriptions a bit so I can keep extras for emergencies. Best of luck to you on your journey to better health. u/Pancakes315