People are sharing 10 small encounters with strangers that proved to be life-changing

Sometimes, all it takes is one moment to make a life-changing impact.

Human interaction is indeed a wholesome and unique concept. What is more baffling is that even strangers can leave a memory in a random person's life just by being themselves. Whether it is the metro, the sidewalk, a restaurant, or any space, it's just a person's aura that leaves traces worth cherishing for a lifetime. Sometimes, it's the things people say or do and other times, it's the most mundane qualities or factors that make a difference. u/JoeChump called on the Reddit community, requesting them to share these distinct moments where strangers left a memorable impact on them. With over 12k comments, people shared heartwarming and soul-filling experiences.

1. Breaking the language barrier and connecting over knowledge

"I was a horticulture student on a botanical tour of Europe in 1979. I am at a flower market in Munich and see a plant I don't recognize. The lady working there doesn't speak English; I don't know German. I see a plant I do know; touch the leaf and say the Latin name for it. She nods and smiles. I name another plant I know. Her smile gets bigger. I point at the unknown plant and look at her with an expression that I hope says, 'Your turn.' She tells me the Latin name. We don't speak each other's language, but we could communicate in a language that has been dead for over a thousand years. Cool." -u/toastie2313

2. Unsolicited comfort and solace

"My son was in a pretty serious accident. I was a wreck in the ICU waiting room. 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." -u/Stillloveyou112

3. Sometimes all you need is a hug 

"The day I found out my grandmother had a stroke and would never walk or talk again, I was away at college. I finally broke down in a bathroom. A girl came in and asked if I needed a hug. I was crying so hard that I really didn't get a look at her face. I cried on her shoulder for about 10 minutes and then had to pull myself together and leave for class. I never explained myself and she never asked. I never recognized or spoke to her again. I wonder if she sometimes saw me on campus and wondered, what was up and if I was okay." -u/AdavaKedavras

4. 'This too shall pass'

"I had just found out my husband of 10 years had cheated on me. I was driving and crying so hard that I quickly pulled over to the nearest parking lot. I parked my car and walked over to the beach and while watching the waves, fell to my knees and just sobbed. Gut-wrenching sobbing. About 10 minutes later, a stranger walked up to me, held her hand out and helped me get up. She then led me to a bench and sat me down. She hugged me and rubbed my back. She let me cry and would say to me, 'This too shall pass.' After about 15 minutes, I composed myself (as much as possible) and she smiled, got up and continued on her walk. I truly believe she was my guardian angel. I think about that moment all the time." u/cocoming

5. A selfless hero

"When I was fourteen, I was trapped in the rubble of an earthquake. I spent six hours crawling towards a man whose face I never had the opportunity to see... he was a citizen who didn't leave his name with anyone and never came forward after the fact. It has always bothered me that I will likely never find out who he was or tell him how much comfort his voice gave me during those horrible hours. When I saw pictures of the space I ended up in much later, I couldn't (and can't) understand how he was able to stand where he stood for six hours without injuring himself or suffering some sort of emotional trauma. He's my hero." -u/trialangel4

6. A gentleman indeed

"I'd locked myself out of my flat once when I was taking out the rubbish. It would have been close to midnight. Female, early twenties and just out of the hospital. I had no way to get in and no money, phone, or nearby friends. I don't remember this boy arriving or explaining myself to him, but he sat with me until morning the whole night long, beneath my block. He had limited English, so we barely spoke and he shared a tin of pineapple with me he had in his bag. He was calm, empty of ill intent, quiet but watchful. Friendly, a big, open smile. When the sun came up, he walked on. I'll never forget him or how kind he was to do that. Some people are so in tune with the world they protect it." -u/stopbeingamole

7. A bright and beaming reminder 

"On a night out, I was feeling pretty rough, so I sat down on some steps eating a box of hot chips. This group of girls walked past, one of them in a yellow with black polka dot dress and a flower halo broke off and sat next to me. She had a thick Irish accent. 'What's yer name?' she asked. 'Jolly. You?' I responded. 'Anette. Ask me where I live.' 'Right, where do you live?' She grabbed one of my chips, put it in her mouth and said, 'In the f*****ng moment,' kissed my forehead and ran off to join her group again. Still, think about her." -u/JollyOldBogan

8. Living to the fullest spontaneously

"My touch football team was sponsored by a local bar that does Karaoke on the same day of the week that our games are. We went for a beer after our game. I don't sing well, but I enjoy singing and I'm not shy. Wasn't planning on singing this time, but a girl went upstage and asked if anyone would sing that song from 'Grease,' 'You're the one that I want.' I thought, why the hell not? Went up and we f*****g nailed it. People were dancing and cheering. We finished the song. We both sort of said good job-like stuff. She went back to her table of friends. I went back to my football team. She and her friends left shortly afterward. That was over 20 years ago. I still think about that night from time to time." -u/Fiascoe

9. Kindness overdose

"The day my dad died, I was holding it together pretty well. Late that night, I went to Target to have a moment to just zone out and buy a few groceries. As I got to the checkstand with my arm full of stuff, I dropped a container of sour cream and it exploded everywhere. I completely lost control of myself and started to cry. The ugly cry. I was instantly surrounded by a group of women who just took charge of the whole situation. They helped me get everything paid for and cleaned up and one lady even got a new sour cream. No words were spoken, but their compassion and take-charge attitude have stayed with me since." -u/misdolnurs2517

10. Miscellaneous connections

"I was out at a beach with my family for a bonfire. The only problem was that we got there too late and there were no more open pits. We sat on the sand for about an hour until a man came up to us, telling us that he had run out of logs. Seeing as we had no pit and that they were freezing without a fire, we took him up on his offer and joined his family around their pit. We sat until midnight talking about music from the 70s and talking about our lives. Coolest bunch of people I've met in a while." -u/jdax2