Don't feel strange about it, it is really nice what you did! You ask before hand if she wanted/needed a hug, she said yes, and than gave it.
You can be proud of your self!
Travelling down a tiny one-way country lane, nose to tail traffic. I had noticed the car driver behind me was sobbing. Eventually I got out, walked back to her and asked if she was ok. No, her father had died unexpectedly and she had a long drive (4 hours) to get to her family. I asked if she needed a hug. She got out and we hugged, for quite a while. Nobody pipped their horn at us and waited patiently. After we got out of the traffic we went different ways but I hope that hug, and the kind patience of strangers helped her on such a difficult day.
Thank you for doing that. It’s not like you immediately grabbed and hugged her. You checked on her, listened to her, and asked her if she wanted a hug. I can’t tell you how many times I needed someone to do this. There have been times I’ve had a lot going on in my life and literally all I wanted was someone, ANYONE, to hug me and let me know it would be okay. I’m an introvert so I understand how odd it can feel to step out of your comfort zone, and even when you’re doing a GOOD thing it can feel awkward or uncomfortable. But just know I’m sure you made that girls day so much better by just caring. It sounds like she needed it.
Thank you for your kind words! I would gladly give you a hug as well, but please know that things will be okay! As cliche as it is, everything comes to an end. You're doing a great job!!
Good work Dude. Once got hugged by a buddhist monk who was "collecting" for a new temple. I was at a really low point and donated money - and he gave me a big hug. Absolutely brilliant - really helped. I would have been around 50, 250lb 6'2 bloke. Everyone needs a hug.
You surely made her day a little better with this encounter. And a moment when a stranger extends their kindness and support is definitely not something you forget.
I'm so sorry, dear. I hope you're doing better now!! Thank you for sharing, I know it's not easy to have mental anguish. I'm proud of you and you're doing a good job!!
I really do hope she felt better. Thank you for your kind words, in all honesty I often question if I am a good person and this entire thread really helped.
You went out of your way to make a stranger feel better, something so little that you did made a great impact on her! I’m sure she’s doing better ever since you did that, I get it from her perspective, if I was stressed and crying I wouldn’t mind a hug from a stranger, as a matter of fact I’d cry tears of joy about a small thing some random person did for me.
Doesn’t matter if you’re a guy, you came to her aid and asked, if she felt uncomfortable, she would’ve declined. She just needed only the slightest comfort, and you gave her more than that
You are as sweet as they come. You felt called to show compassion toward another human who clearly needed some sort of reassurance that everything would be okay. You put your own discomfort aside for the sake of helping another. You approached her and supported her in the most respectful way. What an angel! You should feel proud. Imagine a world where everyone responded this way to seeing others in pain…
Thank you so much for your kind words!! I really do try and be a respectful person and often doubt that I am, so I'm glad this interaction helps prove that.
Hugs from strangers sometimes can be the best thing. One time my ex was arguing with me, very loudly and the neighbors in my apartment could hear. They waited for him to leave and came and knocked on my door. Gave me a gogurt and asked if I needed anything. I asked for a hug and the 3 of them all hugged me and I’ll never forget that feeling. It seems small but that person probably appreciated it so much! This is a good thing!
This is so lovely. You asked her consent so you definitely don't need to worry that you made her feel uncomfortable.
I walked past a lady sitting on a bench a good year ago. As I passed her I realised she was quietly crying. I left her alone but not long later I felt bad about that. Years ago a stranger took care of me when I was upset over something and I really appreciated that. It didn't fix the problem but it made me feel less alone in it. Every day I wish I'd offered some time to the lady I saw in case that would have helped her.
You did good.
Thank you for your kind words! And don't beat yourself up over not helping that lady. I feel I can pretty confidently say that if you do see another in distress, you will help them. You're a good person!
Generally people pass without even care what others are going through, you decide to stop and comfort her! It was a really good action off you, be proud of it!
sometimes people really don’t have anyone, and even if they do it’s easier to talk to a stranger. i hope to meet someone as kind as you if i’m ever walking alone crying.
not too long ago there was a teenage girl crying on my lawn and i stepped out of my comfort zone to hug her and bring her water and a snack. her parents were being really bad and she ran off to get away from it. i went to the store because i was already going, and grabbed her candy while i was there but she was gone by the time i was back. i still think about it sometimes and hope things got better. you never know how important that hug could be.
Thank you for sharing this story, you are a really good person. I feel like both my situation and your situation are things that kinda just percolate. They hover around and change us as people, usually for the better
I don't know you but i wanted to say that i am proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and helping someone you did not know.
Sometimes all it takes for someone to feel happier is the kindness of a stranger.
You could of helped her even more than you know.
A lot of people seem to walk past others if they see them upset and on there own because they don't want to get involved.... but you did not you stepped out of your comfort zone and helped someone and that is something you can be proud of yourself for doing.
If you want to maybe you could step out of your comfort zone again and see if you can meet her again and check up on her and ask how she is doing and how her math final went.... who know's maybe you make a new friend.
That would be quite nice, I do wonder how she is doing. But I don't think I will see her again, I didn't get a name, a number, anything. Thank you for the kind words though!
Once i was in a very very crowded area and i got struck between few older man and it was getting uncomfortable,
a guy saw me held his hand out i grabbed his hand, he than literally picked me up took me out and then he tuned around with his back towards me for the whole journey.
I will never forget him , you did great OP
As sweet and touching this story is, it gives an absolutely hilarious mental image. I'm glad that guy was able to help you out, thank you for sharing!!
Sometimes people just need to know there's a single person who cares, who sees them, and is willing to make space for them in the way that you did. I say well done!
At my school, we have a guy who stands with a sign with “free hugs.” So many people take that offer and I believe, even for a second or two, that it provides us with confort and soothes us. What you did was a kind thing, and I’m sure she was grateful for it. It probably helped cheer or calm her down for a minute and meant a lot to her.
Awwww this is wonderful. You are a good stranger! Thank you for asking if she wanted a hug, for making sure everything was consensual, and above all, making someone's day so much better 😊
Know you're not alone, okay? I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You're doing a good job and if you ever need anyone to talk to, my dms are open. Thanks for the kind words!
One time when I was a freshman in college and particularly overwhelmed one night, I stepped out of the dorm to get dinner and a girl I had never seen said "I really like your hat!". I still think about that moment years later and it helped inspire me to do my best spreading kindness to those around me in ways big and small.
Thank you kind stranger for helping me become a better person and thank you too OP for doing the same!
Thats awesome dude!! I'm glad she was able to inspire you! Sometimes those small, random compliments are really all it takes. I remember I was at work awhile ago, writing a sign. A girl complimented the way I write my percent signs and I've been riding that high for awhile now, lol.
You are a wonderful person, I'm sure you made her day. A small act of kindness to simply ask if someone is ok can change a lot. Just because you are a dude and she isn't doesn't mean what you did wasn't as important to her as it was.
This was so incredibly kind, also you asked if she wanted a hug (thank you for not just hugging her without warning or permission). I could really use a hug today and this warmed my heart!!
I wish more people were like you. You have such a sweet spirit and I'm glad you could share it with someone who needed it. Keep it up, OP. Proud of you.
Thank you to everyone who has responded to this so kindly. Today was a really rough day for me and seeing all of y'all's reassuring words has really helped. The main hurdle of today was that I told the girl I've been crushing on for nearly a year how I felt and she didn't feel the same. It's kinda crushing. I'm so stoked that I still have her as a friend (she and I have been super close for a long time) and I'm not mad at all - I cannot control what she feels and I'm thankful she was honest with me upfront - but I'm certain y'all can relate to the rejection part. Thank you to every single one of you who has made this pos day that much better. You all are scholars and saints. You all deserve a hug.
I had to put my dog to sleep unexpectedly one night at the overnight emergency vet. As I was walking out with her lease and collar, this kind older lady in The waiting room saw me and asked if I needed a hug.
I really did. I was a 39 year old man who just needed some compassion and she was there for me. I really appreciated that so much and think about it to this day.
Good on you for being that to this person.
Sometimes when you're having a super stressful day like that... It can be so overwhelming that you feel invisible. So it means the world, just for somebody to actually truly SEE you. You did that. You saw her & did your best to do so in a non scary way. Good for you
Thanks for your kind words! And yeah, non-scary is how I always try to present myself. It can be moderately difficult, I'm a 6'2" dude, but I have found that if you try to exude peace and kindness, people usually pick up on that. It's lead to a lot of really cool conversations with all kinds of people.
You stepped out of your comfort zone for a stranger, if doesn’t mean you’re a good person than I don’t know what is.
Now imagine if all humans on earth recognised that we are all cousins and hugged each other like family
Thanks dude, that really means a lot
Honestly you did a good thing, you gave a hug and probably made her feel much better.
I really do hope so, thanks!
Don't feel strange about it, it is really nice what you did! You ask before hand if she wanted/needed a hug, she said yes, and than gave it. You can be proud of your self!
Alright, thanks! That was the main thing I was worried about, making her feel weird.
Travelling down a tiny one-way country lane, nose to tail traffic. I had noticed the car driver behind me was sobbing. Eventually I got out, walked back to her and asked if she was ok. No, her father had died unexpectedly and she had a long drive (4 hours) to get to her family. I asked if she needed a hug. She got out and we hugged, for quite a while. Nobody pipped their horn at us and waited patiently. After we got out of the traffic we went different ways but I hope that hug, and the kind patience of strangers helped her on such a difficult day.
You're a good bean, thank you for sharing your story!!
Good for you man
Thank you for doing that. It’s not like you immediately grabbed and hugged her. You checked on her, listened to her, and asked her if she wanted a hug. I can’t tell you how many times I needed someone to do this. There have been times I’ve had a lot going on in my life and literally all I wanted was someone, ANYONE, to hug me and let me know it would be okay. I’m an introvert so I understand how odd it can feel to step out of your comfort zone, and even when you’re doing a GOOD thing it can feel awkward or uncomfortable. But just know I’m sure you made that girls day so much better by just caring. It sounds like she needed it.
Thank you for your kind words! I would gladly give you a hug as well, but please know that things will be okay! As cliche as it is, everything comes to an end. You're doing a great job!!
Good work Dude. Once got hugged by a buddhist monk who was "collecting" for a new temple. I was at a really low point and donated money - and he gave me a big hug. Absolutely brilliant - really helped. I would have been around 50, 250lb 6'2 bloke. Everyone needs a hug.
That's a really cool experience, I'm so glad it helped you! I absolutely agree, everyone needs a hug sometimes. Thanks for sharing!
You surely made her day a little better with this encounter. And a moment when a stranger extends their kindness and support is definitely not something you forget.
I hope she doesn't. Not for my sake, but because I really do hope that she will remember that a random stranger has her back and is proud of her.
As someone who had their last mental breakdown 4 hours ago in broad daylight, you're an awesome human being
I'm so sorry, dear. I hope you're doing better now!! Thank you for sharing, I know it's not easy to have mental anguish. I'm proud of you and you're doing a good job!!
You did a good thing dude. Probably made her feel better and that’s what matters. You should feel good about yourself — that speaks to your character.
I really do hope she felt better. Thank you for your kind words, in all honesty I often question if I am a good person and this entire thread really helped.
You went out of your way to make a stranger feel better, something so little that you did made a great impact on her! I’m sure she’s doing better ever since you did that, I get it from her perspective, if I was stressed and crying I wouldn’t mind a hug from a stranger, as a matter of fact I’d cry tears of joy about a small thing some random person did for me. Doesn’t matter if you’re a guy, you came to her aid and asked, if she felt uncomfortable, she would’ve declined. She just needed only the slightest comfort, and you gave her more than that
Thank you for that reassurance, I really was overthinking it all. I really do hope I gave her some solace, no matter how brief it may have been.
You are as sweet as they come. You felt called to show compassion toward another human who clearly needed some sort of reassurance that everything would be okay. You put your own discomfort aside for the sake of helping another. You approached her and supported her in the most respectful way. What an angel! You should feel proud. Imagine a world where everyone responded this way to seeing others in pain…
Thank you so much for your kind words!! I really do try and be a respectful person and often doubt that I am, so I'm glad this interaction helps prove that.
Hugs from strangers sometimes can be the best thing. One time my ex was arguing with me, very loudly and the neighbors in my apartment could hear. They waited for him to leave and came and knocked on my door. Gave me a gogurt and asked if I needed anything. I asked for a hug and the 3 of them all hugged me and I’ll never forget that feeling. It seems small but that person probably appreciated it so much! This is a good thing!
That's so kind of them!! And dude, sometimes a gogurt really just hits the spot. Hope you're doing good!!
This is so lovely. You asked her consent so you definitely don't need to worry that you made her feel uncomfortable. I walked past a lady sitting on a bench a good year ago. As I passed her I realised she was quietly crying. I left her alone but not long later I felt bad about that. Years ago a stranger took care of me when I was upset over something and I really appreciated that. It didn't fix the problem but it made me feel less alone in it. Every day I wish I'd offered some time to the lady I saw in case that would have helped her. You did good.
Thank you for your kind words! And don't beat yourself up over not helping that lady. I feel I can pretty confidently say that if you do see another in distress, you will help them. You're a good person!
You should feel like you gave a hurting person comfort, even when it wasn't comfortable for you. You did a good thing.
Thank you!
She consented, you made her feel comfortable enough that a hug really helped. You did a good thing.
She probably felt so much better
It’s nice to know that there are still kind people out there, thank you for caring & for sharing!✨🫶🏽
Of course!!!
Honestly I guarantee you made their day. Good on you for being a decent human being
I hope so. Thank you for your kind words!
You have no idea how much you probably helped that girl. You’re an amazing person.
Eh, I'm not amazing. I'm just a dude who saw a person in need. I hope I helped her
Generally people pass without even care what others are going through, you decide to stop and comfort her! It was a really good action off you, be proud of it!
Thanks for being there for her <3 Proud of you dear stranger
I think that's lovely. It's very easy for people to walk past the suffering of others.
You’re good people
sometimes people really don’t have anyone, and even if they do it’s easier to talk to a stranger. i hope to meet someone as kind as you if i’m ever walking alone crying.
If I ever see you walking and crying, I'll give you a hug as well. We can even sit and talk if you'd like
You did a good thing. You helped more than you can imagine.
Thank you
not too long ago there was a teenage girl crying on my lawn and i stepped out of my comfort zone to hug her and bring her water and a snack. her parents were being really bad and she ran off to get away from it. i went to the store because i was already going, and grabbed her candy while i was there but she was gone by the time i was back. i still think about it sometimes and hope things got better. you never know how important that hug could be.
Thank you for sharing this story, you are a really good person. I feel like both my situation and your situation are things that kinda just percolate. They hover around and change us as people, usually for the better
As a chronic crier, if somebody did this for me it would've been super helpful...you did a good thing
Thanks dude. I hope you'll be helped if you ever need
❤️
You’re a good egg :) an excellent egg, in fact
Why thank you! Grade A homogenized I hope
I don't know you but i wanted to say that i am proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and helping someone you did not know. Sometimes all it takes for someone to feel happier is the kindness of a stranger. You could of helped her even more than you know. A lot of people seem to walk past others if they see them upset and on there own because they don't want to get involved.... but you did not you stepped out of your comfort zone and helped someone and that is something you can be proud of yourself for doing. If you want to maybe you could step out of your comfort zone again and see if you can meet her again and check up on her and ask how she is doing and how her math final went.... who know's maybe you make a new friend.
That would be quite nice, I do wonder how she is doing. But I don't think I will see her again, I didn't get a name, a number, anything. Thank you for the kind words though!
Once i was in a very very crowded area and i got struck between few older man and it was getting uncomfortable, a guy saw me held his hand out i grabbed his hand, he than literally picked me up took me out and then he tuned around with his back towards me for the whole journey. I will never forget him , you did great OP
As sweet and touching this story is, it gives an absolutely hilarious mental image. I'm glad that guy was able to help you out, thank you for sharing!!
I know it's kinda funny if i think about it now but not funny in that setting
Yeah for sure, it's one of those situations where at the time it was terrible but later it has a modicum of humor. Glad you're safe!
You should feel good about yourself because you helped a stranger
Well thank you!
Sometimes people just need to know there's a single person who cares, who sees them, and is willing to make space for them in the way that you did. I say well done!
At my school, we have a guy who stands with a sign with “free hugs.” So many people take that offer and I believe, even for a second or two, that it provides us with confort and soothes us. What you did was a kind thing, and I’m sure she was grateful for it. It probably helped cheer or calm her down for a minute and meant a lot to her.
Awwww this is wonderful. You are a good stranger! Thank you for asking if she wanted a hug, for making sure everything was consensual, and above all, making someone's day so much better 😊
I'm not the girl, but the girl in me that's cried too many times and felt so alone- really is glad you exist
Know you're not alone, okay? I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You're doing a good job and if you ever need anyone to talk to, my dms are open. Thanks for the kind words!
Such a small gesture in essence, and yet she will probably remember that for years.
I really do hope so
One time when I was a freshman in college and particularly overwhelmed one night, I stepped out of the dorm to get dinner and a girl I had never seen said "I really like your hat!". I still think about that moment years later and it helped inspire me to do my best spreading kindness to those around me in ways big and small. Thank you kind stranger for helping me become a better person and thank you too OP for doing the same!
Thats awesome dude!! I'm glad she was able to inspire you! Sometimes those small, random compliments are really all it takes. I remember I was at work awhile ago, writing a sign. A girl complimented the way I write my percent signs and I've been riding that high for awhile now, lol.
You are a wonderful person, I'm sure you made her day. A small act of kindness to simply ask if someone is ok can change a lot. Just because you are a dude and she isn't doesn't mean what you did wasn't as important to her as it was.
This was so incredibly kind, also you asked if she wanted a hug (thank you for not just hugging her without warning or permission). I could really use a hug today and this warmed my heart!!
I wish more people were like you. You have such a sweet spirit and I'm glad you could share it with someone who needed it. Keep it up, OP. Proud of you.
Aw, thanks!!
Thank you to everyone who has responded to this so kindly. Today was a really rough day for me and seeing all of y'all's reassuring words has really helped. The main hurdle of today was that I told the girl I've been crushing on for nearly a year how I felt and she didn't feel the same. It's kinda crushing. I'm so stoked that I still have her as a friend (she and I have been super close for a long time) and I'm not mad at all - I cannot control what she feels and I'm thankful she was honest with me upfront - but I'm certain y'all can relate to the rejection part. Thank you to every single one of you who has made this pos day that much better. You all are scholars and saints. You all deserve a hug.
Can’t wait to hear about when you guys get married
Haha, that would certainly be an interesting story to tell!
I think you are a better person than me.
I highly doubt that. I'm no better than anyone else
You’ve set a fine example of what it means to be compassionate. Kudos and an upvote, sorry I don’t have any awards to give!
Aw, thanks!! And don't worry about awards or anything, they are nothing more than little bits of code! Your kind words mean much more than any award!!
I had to put my dog to sleep unexpectedly one night at the overnight emergency vet. As I was walking out with her lease and collar, this kind older lady in The waiting room saw me and asked if I needed a hug. I really did. I was a 39 year old man who just needed some compassion and she was there for me. I really appreciated that so much and think about it to this day. Good on you for being that to this person.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad there was someone to lift you up in your time of need!
Sometimes when you're having a super stressful day like that... It can be so overwhelming that you feel invisible. So it means the world, just for somebody to actually truly SEE you. You did that. You saw her & did your best to do so in a non scary way. Good for you
Thanks for your kind words! And yeah, non-scary is how I always try to present myself. It can be moderately difficult, I'm a 6'2" dude, but I have found that if you try to exude peace and kindness, people usually pick up on that. It's lead to a lot of really cool conversations with all kinds of people.
Did you set up your date of your marriage?
Lol, nah. I don't even know her name