Doing something wonderfully unexpected for someone sure is a good feeling. Kindness is the new cool, have you heard? And in light of Pink Shirt Day coming up, we set out on a bit of a random acts of kindness mission to pay it forward to strangers. February is the month of love, so we targeted couples who were around looking extra cozy and couply and decided to play a little modern day cupid at the mall.
First stop: coffee shop. At Starbucks, there were students doing homework, parents taking a breather, friends hanging out, and singletons catching up on reading. In the far corner, we spotted a couple attempting to take a selfie together. Bingo. We chatted with them for a few minutes (they have been dating for 1.5 years) before offering to treat them to their next coffee date together. Bewildered, she asked, “Are you serious?!” Absolutely. Enjoy.
Second stop: movie theatre. From the corner of our eye, we saw a young couple approaching the ticket lineup. We offered to pay for their movie (American Sniper), as well as popcorn and drinks. The full meal deal. They gladly accepted and were appreciative of the gesture. Just before parting ways, we casually asked, “So how long have you guys been dating?” They exchanged glances and shy smiles appeared. “Um…this is our first date,” he replied.
Well that was fun. So, what would you do to pay it forward? Share your ideas in these two contests!
Pay It Forward Contest
Metropolis at Metrotown will donate $1 to the CKNW Orphan’s Fund for every random kindness idea they receive on their contest website. You’ll have a chance to win a $500 shopping spree and $500 to donate to charity! Contest runs from February 11-25, 2015.
Nice Neighbour Contest
You know how much we love community building. Tell us something nice you’d like to do for your neighbour in the comment area below. We’ll pick a winner for a $50 Metropolis gift card on February 25th (Pink Shirt Day).
Good luck!
My neighbours are a busy family with young kids. Although im new to the neighborhood my act of kindness would be too take out there garbage and recycling as I do mine:)
I’m currently dog sitting for my neighbour!! :)
I’d love to help them fix their broken wind shield. They’re students and haven’t been able to drive their car because of it.
I collect donations for loca families: clothing, diapers, etc.
I actually already did this! Our dog brings joy to a lot of people and we meet a lot of people when out and about with him.
At our local Starbucks there is a lady who seems a bit down and out who always greets our dog. I went out and bought a little Valentines gift bag and filled it with a box of chocolates and a cute cat toy I found (she said she had a cat), and a couple Valentines cards addressed to her and her cat from our pup. I worried as I didn’t see her for over a week, but just before Valentine’s day we saw her again and she was very appreciative of the gift. :-)
I help my elderly neighbour plant flowers in her window box
Pay a local kid to mow everyone’s lawn one weekend!
I’d make sure their garbage cans are correctly positioned
I am going to set up my neighbour, a beautiful Indian woman who has had a baby on her own through artificial insemination. I also know a lovely Indian man (59 years of age) who has a 6 week old baby which he also had on his own!! (Through the same artificial method, except the male version)
It is because of this lovely neighbor that I bought a tiny townhouse in the same complex after renting for years. Maybe they will hit it off, and in the least they can share stories and struggle of giving birth solo and quite atypically for their culture, and family beliefs! In the least they can have a play date. And you never know I may be….their cupid, which they wouldn’t have had time or energy for on their own! :)
I help the elderly neighbors rake leaves and bring in their recycling boxes from the curb. Hopefully someone will do the same for me one day!
My hubby fixes their car for free. All neighbours all the time.
I recently had a baby. And as much as I love the clothes, blankets, toys and baby trinkets I received, the most valuable gifts were those we could eat. Some homemade frozen dinners, baked treats, or fruit and vegetables were huge on those days when we were too exhausted to cook. To have food ready to go feels amazing in those first few weeks. Our neighbours upstairs have a baby now too, so I’d take them a homemade lasagne, or another specialty. I think they’d like that.
Thanks for your comments, you golden souls! These are awesome things to do for your neighbour. We picked a random winner – congrats to Lore! Please email us at events@districtlocal.com so we can get you your Metropolis gift card.