Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Something to do with coffee??


I cringed inwardly a little as I drove up to the Starbucks drive thru this morning...there were 4 cars in front of me just waiting to place their order. I pulled in behind the suburban in front of me, and sat there thinking for a second. Should I back up and go inside? That might be faster...but I didn't really want to get out of my car.

So, I sat there and waited my turn. I could see the guy in the Surburban through his side mirror. We kind of smiled at each other as we sat in line. About 10 minutes later, I finally made it to the window to pick up my Grande nonfat peppermint latte (yum!!).

The whole reason I ran through Starbucks today was because I got my gift card from my credit card points in the mail yesterday....but, I didn't need my gift card. When I got to the window, the girl told me that the guy in front of me had paid for my drink. What?? Why does this keep happening to me? Remember this?

Is it something to do with coffee? Do I look like I need my coffee so bad that people offer to pay for me?

I KNOW it has something to do with the Midwest. This NEVER happened to me in CA. Again, I was so surprised that I started thanking the Starbucks girl...because I couldn't thank Mr. Suburban - he was already long gone.

As I drove away, I thought that I should have paid for the college girl in the car behind me - she probably could have used a free coffee. Why didn't I think of that when I was still at the window??

So, Mr. Suburban - thank you so much for giving me a little treat this morning...I promise pass on your kindness soon!

10 comments:

Jana said...

i just looked up the discovery shoppe - looks like you went to the only existing shop . . . go figure! does your show take place in kansas?

Ginger said...

Random acts of kindness are great! Be sure and pass it along. I couldn't do this if I can't see the reaction because that is the reward. Amazing that he drove away only imagining your thankfulness.

Sally said...

jana - the show takes place in L.A. Maybe there is more than one version of the store? I don't know...or maybe it's spelled differently?

ginger - I love that he did it in the drive thru, because then I couldn't say no. I think I'll pay for the person behind me the next time I go through the drive thru.

maddie said...

how awesome that he did that. :-) that happened to me a few years ago as i was waiting to pay crossing the golden gate bridge. when i got to the toll booth, the attendant told me the car in front of me had paid my way! i was so blown away. i hadn't even made eye contact with the car. it was so sweet. i paid for the car behind me....pay it forward really does happen when you least expect it.

Sara said...

I want to start going places with you! :)

Jenni said...

Our whole family (dh, 4 kids, and me) once stopped to get supper at a Cracker Barrel outside of OKC on the way back from a camping trip. When we asked for the ticket, the waitress told us that someone had already paid and that they were already gone. The kids were smaller then, so it wasn't as much as it would be now, but it was still probably around $30. That was such an incredible blessing! We wanted to pass the blessing along, so we left the waitress a *very* nice tip. It was as much fun to give as it was to receive and it made the rest of the drive home.

I bought a stock market class on CD last year to learn about investing and the guy who does the class talked about how he challenges his students to do things like that--pay for the person behind you at McDonald's or the toll booth or for someone at a sit down restaurant. It sounds like it's something that has really caught on, and I've often wondered since then if it was someone else who took his stock market class or just some other nice person. I think I'll take that challenge next time I'm at a drive through.

Overwhelmed! said...

Oh, how nice of him! That's never happened to me before but I just might have to do that for someone soon because I know it would totally make someone's day!

I have a book called "Random Acts of Kindness" and I believe this should be in there. :)

Love your coffe image, by the way!

Terri said...

way cool. this has never happened to me but i think i would do it for someone else. great idea!

Christine said...

It's gotta be the new hair!!

G&K said...

check out this website I found its DoOneNiceThing.com - it's pretty neat :-)