Thursday I was watching "Katie" ie. Katie Couric show and it was about trying to find happiness or being happy. One of the things they talked about was how giving rather than getting can make you happy.
Now I've always believed this to be true and I could always use a little happiness in my life so.... I went to my local Starbucks and bought a $20 gift card. I explained to the cashier that I would like her to use my card to pay for the next few people that came in to get coffee... But not to tell them it was me, just that someone wanted to "pay it forward."
I sat nearby looking like I was busy working on my iPad but really listening and taking notes on what happened. I was not sure how this experiment would go. People here in north Virginia are for the most part privileged and seem to feel entitled so I was eager to see what would happen.
I went just before 11:00 am so that it wouldn't be too busy. The first couple of people that came in were all women in their 50's and 60's. It took each of them a minute to understand what was happening and it seemed to brighten their day a bit. One of them did ask "So should I do the same thing?" At first it sounded like she felt obligated but she genuinely seemed pleased.
After them a young girl walked in. I guess she was either in her late teens or early 20's. She ordered a hot chocolate. When the cashier told her it had already been paid for she just shrugged her shoulders, took her hot chocolate and left. Ah youth! This was what I was afraid would happen.
The next people made up for it though. It was two women (60's?)together and once they got over their disbelief they were just tickled. Immediately after them a couple came in ~ man and women maybe late 60's. They were just amazed and then asked the two previous women if they were they ones who had paid. They said "no" but the four of them stood there chatting very animatedly. From their conversation I got the idea they were thinking of doing the same thing in the future.
So, that was my experiment. Did it make me happy? Not exactly. I would say I was pleased with the outcome. Did it make the people receiving the free coffee happy? Maybe a little. I'll tell you who it made happy .... Angela, the cashier at Starbucks. Every time she got to tell someone their order was already paid for she broke out in a tremendous grin. I think she was basically a happy person to begin with but this seemed to really make her day. So now that I think of it, making her happy did make me happy so I'd have to say my experiment was a success.
7 comments:
Barb, you're so awesome! That's why we love you. You make those around you happy every day.
I think your experiment was wonderful. :) I think you're pretty wonderful yourself. Reading about experiences like this makes ME happy. :)
Such a good bestie. I love that you did this. I am also truly amazed that a 20.00 gift card at Starbucks went that far. Don't be discouraged I believe that you made at least half of these people very happy and I will bet you they do it somewhere else along the way.
You always make me very happy.
Did you not feel a little serendipity that her name was "Angela?"
How fun!! I wonder if you went to a more less "trendy" type of place and did the same thing, if you would get the same kind of results.
Hi Barb, I'm the one who made your "Honey I smell your nuts" article go viral. I live in Oregon where we aren't allowed to pump our own gas and I always give the gas attendent $2.00 after they pump my gas. They get so excited! No one ever gives them money. It's a stinky, dirty job and it's hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Well, now everybody around here knows me and my Hummer and they all fight over who gets to wait on me. They run to my car in a chase to get to me first. They always wash my windshield, if the weather permits, and are so nice to me...visit with me. Anyway, it's kind of like what you did. Doing something nice for someone for no reason. But I have a reason. Pumping gas is a crappy job. I worked at our little store in my town of 600 people and had to pump gas. People wouldn't even say please or thank you. One time an elderly man gave me a $1 tip. Only time I received a tip and it made my day. So many times when I give the attendant the $2, they will tell me they are going to buy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with it. It made me realize that a lot of the people don't have any money with them at all.
I think what you did was very nice. I bet it was talked about around the dinner table and the gal at Starbuck's had a really nice day because of you. Good job!!
That is SO cute! That is really sweet of you to do and I bet even the people who didn't show it outwardly loved it.
(ps hiiiiii :) I am finally back to blogging world! Hope everything is good!)
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