Ishmael Gilbert: Target Cashier’s Act Of Kindness Goes Viral

A Target cashier’s act of kindness has gone viral. Ishmael Gilbert was shocked to learn that a photo take of him at work last week had sparked an online frenzy and been viewed more than 13,000 times in less than 24 hours. Gilbert, a worker at a Glendale Target store in the Indianapolis area, was completely unaware that anyone had captured the exchange between himself and elderly shopper.

An older woman at the Target store made her way to the checkout stand manned by Ishmael Gilbert and proceeded to pay for her purchase in coins. The senior citizen politely informed the Glendale Target worker that she only had change to use to cover the cost of her items. She was visibly upset that she was going to cause a big delay in the growing line.

“She was all worked up because the line was getting longer and she was moving so slow. She was shaking,” Ishmael Gilbert, 19, said.

Without missing a beat, the Target cashier reached over the conveyor belt and helped the elderly woman count her change and let her know that she was not causing a problem at all. While many of the folks in line decided to switch lands and get out of the store more quickly, Sarah Owen Bigler and her daughter remained right where they were — and recorded the kind exchange.

Ishmael Gilbert didn’t know he was being watched. Never expected the post to go viral. He was just doing his job. https://t.co/Lr1zSfYID9

— IndyStar (@indystar) January 18, 2016

When Sarah Bigler got home, she shared the story and the photo on Facebook — just hours later, the story went viral.

“I was asleep at home and everyone was texting me, ‘check Facebook, check Facebook,’ ” Ishmael Gilbert said, according to a USA Today report. “I never thought it’d blow up this big, Her post, I guess it touched a lot of people.”

Ironically, Ishmael Gilbert had just been issued his red vest and been issued a Target name tag a few days prior to the appearance of the elderly woman as his cash register. After the Facebook post went viral, both Sarah Bigler and her daughter returned to the Glendale Target store to join Gilbert in a meeting with the media. Upon her arrival, both she and her little girl received a hug and a big thank you from the patient teenager.

Here’s an excerpt from the Facebook post about the Target cashier.

“I realized I hadn’t been inconvenienced at all. That my daughter was instead witnessing kindness and patience and being taught this valuable lesson by a complete stranger; furthermore, I realized that I too needed a refresher on this lesson.”

A refresher on kindess & patience -> Be kind. No exceptions. Cashier Ishmael Gilbert was. https://t.co/v1gnpo3jdS via @DebraAlfarone

— wendy (@wowindc) January 18, 2016

The long reach of the internet quickly became evident to Gilbert. He has become something of a local celebrity. The Target cashier said that he has been recognized from the photo multiple times now, and been offered both money and employment offers from well-wishers. At least for now, Ishmael plans on remaining at his register in the Target checkout line.

Glendale store team leader Todd Davis is proud of the employee and said that his actions captured in a cellphone photo earlier this week will surely enhance his career opportunities within the company.

“Very rarely you get the opportunity to talk about something that’s a positive impact in the community. You never know who’s watching,” the Target store official added, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The identity of the elderly woman remains a mystery. Due to the viral nature of the photo, it is likely that she or someone who knows her will eventually see the image appear on their social media feed. Perhaps she will meet Gilbert once again when she returns to the store to do a little more shopping.

“It just feels good to be recognized for good work. But this isn’t something new. I treat all customers the same, the way I want to be treated,” Gilbert told local reporters.

The Target cashier many on social media feel was “raised right” recently became a father himself. His daughter, Namya, recently turned 1-year-old.

“It felt good because that’s the kind of example I want to be for my daughter,” the Glendale Target cashier added.

What do you think about the viral random act of kindness shown by Target cashier Ishmael Gilbert in the overwhelming response to the image?

[Image via Northfoto/Shutterstock]