(This happened when I was in middle school, on a road trip. After eating my meal (parents paid for), I scrounge for enough of my own pocket money to order my favorite desert.)

Me: “One small [Ice Cream Dessert], please.”

Cashier: “Okay, coming right up.”

(As he walks away to prep the dessert, I awkwardly stand there with my money waiting for the total.)

Cashier: “Here ya go, bud!” *hands me dessert*

Me: “Um, but, how much?”

Cashier: “Don’t worry about it.”

Me: “Um, uh, okay, I guess.” *awkwardly walks away*

(A few minutes later:)

Cashier: *to coworkers* “Peace out. I quit!”

(He took off his apron and walked out. It made me so happy that I remember it decades later. Way to go out in style while making a kid’s day, awesome worker dude!)

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(I walk into the airport at 4:00 am to check my bag and get through security. I am very bleary-eyed because the hotel I’d stayed at the night before hadn’t brought up a crib for my toddler until past 10:00 pm, three hours after I checked in. When I reach the baggage counter, I hand my ticket to the agent and don’t expect much further conversation.)

Agent: “I see you’re traveling to Detroit today on a multi-stop route. Were you aware that we have a nonstop flight?”

Me: *now more awake* “No, I didn’t see that when I booked my ticket. Is there still a spot on the flight?”

Agent: “There’s plenty of room! I’ll transfer your ticket now, if that’s okay.”

(After thanking her several times, my toddler and I make our slow progress through security. When we reach the gate before take-off, the same agent from before is standing at the counter.)

Agent: “Good morning! I just noticed that your car seat is airline-approved. Would you like to take your child on in her seat today? The two of you have an aisle all to yourself.”

(She made the flight immeasurably better for me and my fellow travelers. I ended up at my destination six hours earlier than scheduled and my toddler napped through the entire flight. I made sure to leave glowing comments about her in my feedback!)

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(My fiancé has lost his job. I am bringing in the only household income, working full time while also attending college. Bills are piling up and I get to a point of sacrificing meals and other things to make ends meet and support us both, eating maybe once a day and usually after work. I have gone more than 24 hours without a meal and my shift is incredibly stressful, but looks up when I find a dollar in my bag so I stop by the cafeteria where you pay by machine. I should note that I work in a large office building and have never before met this particular employee as we work on completely separate sides of the building.)

Coworker: *noticing the cheap snack I am scanning into the machine* “Is that all you’re getting today?”

Me: “Oh, yeah. I’m not feeling particularly hungry.”

Coworker: *while rubbing at his round stomach* “I’m jealous! I’m always hungry… obviously!”

(We share a laugh on his behalf and I put my crumpled dollar bill in the machine. Unfortunately, the dollar is too wrinkled for the machine to process. After several attempts it keeps spitting the money back out.)

Me: *I fake a laugh and step back, but really want to cry knowing I won’t get to eat now* “Oops. Here, you go ahead. No need to make you wait longer.”

Coworker: “These machines these days. Too picky. Money is money, right? Here, grab me one of those Lunchables, would you? And put your snack up here. The machine won’t take it no matter how much you iron that dollar out and we don’t want you to go without.”

Me: “Oh, no, it’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”

Coworker: “I’ll stand here all day if I have to. C’mon, let me get it.”

(I reluctantly hand him the snack, which he quickly pays for and hands back to me, along with the Lunchables pack.)

Coworker: “You might not be very hungry now… but you could be later. That’s for just in case!”

(I barely managed a thank you and he refused to take my dollar. I called my fiancé, who didn’t even know I wasn’t eating, in tears. I haven’t seen him since, but think about him often. Thanks to him I was able to eat that day and not long after my fiancé found a job!)

(I am working my overnight stocking job at a big-name department store. I spend about 20 to 30 minutes assisting a customer find several hard-to-find products. Almost immediately afterwards I get paged to the front registers, as I sometimes am called to assist during high volume times. After about a dozen transactions the same customer from before comes through my line.)

Customer: “I usually hate to come into this store because I never find all the products I’m looking for. Today you helped me find everything on this list!”

(As we finish the transaction the customer gathers his items and then hand me what appears to be a business card then nonchalantly turns and leaves. Shortly thereafter I am relieved from the registers so I take the opportunity to finally look at the card. It was a green card stock card saying as follows:)

Card: “HEY, YOU, YOU’RE PRETTY F****** AWESOME! KEEP THAT S*** UP! That is all. This Card has been approved by The International League of Awesomeness.”

(On the back:)

Card: “Surrender this card upon next encounter of f****** awesomeness.”

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(After a hectic shift at work, I find out my ride isn’t coming for another half hour. I decide to walk across the street to a fast-casual restaurant chain and just get a drink, because I can’t really afford anything else, so I can wait there safely. I am exhausted and emotionally drained, not to mention I probably smell bad from all the food that I spilled on myself. I walk up to the cashier, who is extremely busy.)

Me: “When you get a moment, could I just get a drink?”

Cashier: “Yeah, sure.” *hands me a cup*

Me: *tries to hand him my debit card*

Cashier: “Don’t worry about it!”

Me: “Are you sure?”

Cashier: “Yes!”

(Though it may seem like a simple act, it restored my faith in humanity. I was sure to put the money I was going to spend on the drink in the tip jar!)