BS: Random Acts of Kindness

Subject: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 06:06 PM

Jerry Rasmussen spoke of unexpected gifts and reminded me that I have never mentioned my project to commit radom sensible acts of kindness in the right place at the right time maybe once a season over the last 3 years.

They are small acts really. Maybe I'll clean the roof gutters of a neighbor lady who has tiny trees growing there. Or I'll shovel snow for the next door widow. Or I''make a little award for landscaping excellence with a coffee table book and painting. I might bring my cello and do a small seranade. etc etc.


What I have found is that the recipients invariably feel one or more of the following: suspicion, fearful, angry, won't speak to us again, think we are potential burglars, ask we never do it again, or refuse to accept an unseen gift.

Yes most people here work for the goverment, sensitive projects or a contractor, which amounts to they lie for a living or have to lie about doing the right thing so not to get in trouble.
Still I admit that the reaction is not what I am used to compared to other regions of the country.

There is only one in ten people who are simply happy and grateful.

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 06:19 PM

You need to move here to Page Co., Va, Donuel, where you'll get the exact oppoiste reaction... You go an' clean a neighbor's gutter 'round these parts an' ya' might end up with a list of other "kind acts" that need performin'... lol...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: bankley
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 05:57 PM

and whatever happened to the 'golden rule' since the price of bullion went way up ?

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 06:05 PM

It must be you,Donuel. I have practiced the Random Act thing in NYC, Portland, ME, Buffalo, NY, Chicago and in countless airports. No one has ever acted anything but grateful.
Are you smiling (not like a lunatic) when you do it?
M

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 06:30 PM

Of course its me. It is my perception. It seems to me the Evangelical hate targets combined with the people Bush talk show hosts deemed traitors, has unleashed a lasting social poison.
There is no contact between different "tribes".

It was fine in NY and Buffalo for me too, in fact it was a normal community respondsibility but there really does seem to be some odd people in these DC suburbs of a certain paygrade who can not afford any loose ends.

Yes there are known CIA employees here and others who only appear for 4 months a year, but the fearometer is higher than 183rd St.

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: Amos
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 06:47 PM

What part of the country is "here" for you, Donuel?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Random Acts of Kindness
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 07:30 PM

Amos: these DC suburbs??

You can come clean my gutters, Donuel, anytime! (They really need it!:-)

I was always grateful to the neighbours wh took turns snowblowing our sidewalk in WY when they did their own. I always bought them a flat of annuals for their flower pots, as a thank you, when spring came along.