I’m in a really good mood because it is my baby brother’s birthday and reposting this just seems appropriate. It was first published here two years ago.
NewMexiKen remembers living in the San Francisco Bay area when the tolls on the bridges were 50ยข and it was not uncommon to give the toll taker a buck and tell him you were paying for the car behind you too.
Now the toll is $3 and most locals use FasTrak. Alas, such is progress.
Anyway the story that follows reminded me of that lost tradition in a random acts of kindness kind of way. I never actually do this kind of thing myself, but I think it’s really nice that others do.
I was in the drive-thru at Tim Hortons by my house and had just ordered a coffee and croissant. I waited to get to the window and they handed me my order and said it had been paid for already. I curiously asked, “Who paid for it?” And the girl said, “The woman ahead of you. She does it all the time for people. And all she asks me to tell you is ‘pay it forward.'”
This made my entire day, and I made sure to tell everyone at work about it!
The next time I was in the same drive through, I paid for the person behind me. The best part about the whole thing was that I could spend the rest of the day imagining how that person felt. I know how good it made me feel, and it stuck with me.
You never know how someones day is going, and a small act like paying for a persons coffee can turn their entire day around.
Would you believe tolls are up to $5? And people are now running the tolls instead of paying. I was hit while riding in a cab when a car of kids raced up the tolls, per ‘er in reverse and tried to go backwards on the San Mateo Bridge to avoid the toll.
I think that people have forgotten respect for their fellow human. I don’t need my toll paid, but it sure would be nice if people wouldn’t cut me off approaching the toll plaza!
I try to be considerate, and feel good when I do so, and occasionally, I get kindness in return. Those are the times when I continue to have hope for the human race.
As I actually made a trip across the Bay Bridge today, which I rarely do, I felt it necessary to correct my misstatement.
The toll for that bridge is a mere $4. The Golden Gate is up to $6.
But, however, true to form, as I approached the toll plaza, a woman driving Jesus’ own Datsun pickup cut me off but good. I did not feel well disposed toward my fellow (wo)mankind after that.