A Small Gesture That Gives Me Pleasure On My Commute

--by ClaireFairHair, posted Dec 6, 2009

I work in London and I take the underground trains to commute into work every morning. If I get a seat I first look around to check who else has boarded the train to ensure that no-one needs the seat more than I do.

Recently I called across to a pregnant lady quite a few metres away to offer my seat to her. The many people who were seated between us studiously kept their heads in their newspapers so they were not called upon to offer their seat instead. All those selfish people in between us made me feel quite grumpy.

The same thing happened the next day, I gave my seat to an elderly person who deserved the seat more than I did. They were both very grateful and as they thanked me I said, "my pleasure".

Then it struck me that it was 'my pleasure'! I had no need to be grumpy with all the other people who did not offer their seat as this made me the receiver of this small bit of pleasure in my journey instead of them!

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Posted by ClaireFairHair
Dec 6, 2009
Comments (8)

Readers Comments

wayfarer wrote: Yeah, don't be grumpy with them. They unconciously gave you the gift of doing someone a kindness. Their loss was your gain!

LorelaiH07 wrote: I love hearing stories about the little acts of kindness people do!
And as for the other people, perhaps they will take a lesson from you on acts of kindness!

Aurelia wrote: You are showing them the way. Thank you for being you. :0) ~Aurelia

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: It is the little kindnesses such as this that make all the difference in the world. Thanks for caring!

JuneBug wrote: YEP, I agree with those all above...even MSS whom I rarely agree with on anything...:)

luckyman wrote: You did right!

iferlamb wrote: Even if you didn't know it your joy in selfless giving will teach each of those silent observers a lesson in kindness that they will not forget.

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