Help Others.org: Pay-It-Forward Chain Reaction at a Restaurant -- A Kindness Story

My four grown children were all home visiting this weekend so we decided to go out for brunch. The centre of attention was my toddler granddaughter. She had never had pancakes before so we were excited about her trying them.

We always try to make our family meals special so this time we decided to order every kind of pancake they had and asked that they be served on one big family-style platter!

We each took turns digging in and also feeding it to the baby, who loved them. There was a lovely environment at the table and lots of smiles. As I was looking around the table, enjoying this wonderful scene, a gentleman at a nearby table caught my eye.

He was eating his breakfast alone quietly, in the corner. He frequently looked over and smiled as my granddaughter continued to entertain us all. Suddenly, I had a great idea.

I dug out a smile card from the reserve that I always carry with me and snuck up to the waitress. I explained to her that I wanted to pay that man’s bill anonymously and that instead of the bill could she please give him the smile card.

Our leisurely breakfast was still going on after the gentleman had left. The waitress came over and told us that he had passed the smile card on and paid for another table before he left. How great!

Not only that though, the waitress then came back later and told us that the second table had now paid for someone else and passed the smile card on too!

I couldn’t believe it when the waitress came back and told us that the third table had done the same thing.

What was really amazing though, was that by the time we left, half the room had ended up paying for a different table! Isn’t that great?

Reader Comments

27 comments: page 1 | 2 | 3

Rosemary wrote: What a wonderful story. It brought tears to my eyes, we still have some kind hearted people in the world today. I was truly blessed by it.

Mary-Anne wrote: This is my story (it happened on christmas eve morning, 2008, in waterville, maine) and i was surprised to suddenly get feedback. I never expected the card to be forwarded so many times. It was great to have this reminder and kailastone, i hope you do try it. It still makes me cry when i think of it. Many heartfelt thanks to everyone that responded.

EAB wrote: There is hope for the world.

Jean wrote: What a great story! One day i was driving through starbucks to get a coffee - when i got to the window to pay, the woman told me the man in the car ahead of me had paid for mine! I was so pleasantly surprised - it made my whole day! Next time i went through the line i paid for the person behind me and hoped it made their day too!

pgwingo wrote: I love this story. Not only spending time with your family, but teaching them how great feels to give!

Candy Marie wrote: I love reading stories like these. You guys must have been in the best mood all day after that!

I don't know what feels better, being there, or being able to share the story with someone else?

Thank you for sharing!

Victoria wrote: What a heartwarming story -- it is truly inspiring!

tina wrote: Just look at the chain reaction of kindness you caused. Bravo!

bryan wrote: Hay i think this is really nice on what you guys are doing!

iferlamb wrote: That is so great! What an honor that you were present to witness this miracle. You are truly blessed!

Smiles.

Pay-It-Forward Chain Reaction at a Restaurant

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