A “good Samaritan” tale on Reddit — coming out of one of the least pleasant types of places humans congregate, airports — went viral after users were touched by the tale.
The Reddit good samaritan story comes out of Tampa, where one flier (user brbmycatexploded) was stuck in the mortifying situation of having a card declined.
What could have been an unpleasant footnote to the usually already not a picnic experience of domestic travel was improved, however, by a pay it forward gesture that delighted the social web.
According to brbmycatexploded, his or her card was rejected when attempting to pay the baggage fee — a sometimes unaccounted for and unpredictable charge now slapped on at the airport.
Forced to do the ATM balance check walk of shame, the Redditor says:
The uplifting thread included some other tales of do-gooderism, with the top comment coming from user ThatSpuds, who recalls engaging in a similar act — but from the other end.
It looks like he or she was granted Reddit Gold for the good deeds, and ThatSpuds explains:
“A few months ago before I moved, there was a guy in the store that I went to a couple of times a day and he was at the register and he had diapers, milk, formula, a couple of cans of spaghetti and some toilet paper. And he was coming up short…. the cashier was explaining to him that his card was declined except for a small balance… so here’s this guy and he’s looking at all of this stuff that he obviously needs to take care of his family… and you can tell he’s thinking ‘Alright… formula and toilet paper… no… diapers and formula… ‘ and he’s sliding things around on the counter trying to come up with the closest total.”
He or she continues:
“And I’m sad. I’m sad and I’m angry that anyone has to be in this position in the United States.
“So I walk up to the counter and give the guy $20. I don’t say a word, and I don’t expect anything in return, not even a thank you.”
However, the man in the tale is said to have embraced the Redditor and thanked him or her profusely.
Here’s the note brbmycatexploded found upon his or her return to the baggage counter at the Tampa airport:
The note simply reads :
“Hey, I heard them say your card was declined. I know how it feels. Your bag fee’s on me. Just pay it forward the next time you get a chance. Have a safe flight. (Smiley.)”
You can view all the other Reddit good Samaritan stories by clicking here to go to the thread.
