Life is full of witnesses. So many we love and so many are names and faces we'll never see again. But whether we know them or not... they will always leave an impression. Strangers are brought to us by divine intervention once and awhile. Often we neglect to recognize the moment. But the memory can be everlasting. And remember.... we are strangers for others as well.
Redditor u/checkb4wreck wanted to know from everyone about the time they met that one person that left a definite impression by asking.... Who is one stranger you remember?
She was classy!
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I danced with a stranger in a club in Tokyo who, by the look of her dance style, was Brazilian. She was probably 80 years young and boy did she have moves! This was my first time dancing with a stranger and her vibes were something I'll never forget. She was classy! iseewokepeople
Blue Eyes.
A boy with blue eyes. I walked down the hallway at school and looked him right in the eyes. I never forgot. That was 10 years ago or something.
He stayed a stranger until last year, when I became friends with a girl that wanted me to meet her friends too. Now that boy with the blue eyes is my best friend. kate9819
On the Bus.
When I was about 13 or 14 my phone ran out when I was waiting for a bus, but I realized my bus wasn't arriving for two hours as it was a Sunday night and I don't live in a big city, so bus times are varied.
I knew I had to call my parents but I was very shy and too nervous to ask anybody. But a really lovely mother noticed I was looking very anxious and came and asked if i was okay. She let me use her phone, but then she also stayed with me until my bus came because it was late at night and she didn't want me there alone.
I think about her a lot. She was so caring and loving. SylvieDonlan
Just Mad.
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The lady on my plane (I'm a flight attendant) who got really mad I gave her too much coffee and then poured it into the seat back pocket.
I realized that day that some people will get mad at whatever they can. And there's nothing I can do about that. AggressiveKaizen
Bless innocent dumb children.
Once a little girl (around 6-7) years old came into our precinct and confessed that she had cheated on her math test and was ready to go to jail for it. A colleague of mine explained her the situation and that she won't go to jail. The colleague made her a hot chocolate and called her parents so that they could pick up their daughter.
Bless innocent dumb children. GerCop
The Odd brains.
My mom, dad and I were driving across Canada to Ontario to see family when I was about 6 (26 now). We were stopped for the night at an RV park for the night, and I ended up playing on the playground with a little girl the same age as me. Her dad came over in a cut off sleeve t-shirt and shorts and pushed us on the merry-go-round. Once he left, I VIVIDLY remember telling her that I had pictured her dad in a suit when she had talked about him, and her telling me that she'd never seen her dad in a suit. Bizarre the things our kid-brains remember. thats-amore
Around San Jose with Paul.
About 15 years ago, an ex-gf, a buddy of mine, and I went to downtown San Jose to go bar hopping. While walking, we were talking about the movie Sin City, and a guy who had just passed us spins around and introduces himself as "Paul Vasquez." Tells us he's an actor (no, none of the Paul Vasquez's on IMDB are him). Says he heard us talking about Sin City, and wanted to let us know that he's in town filming a movie called "The Underground" with Mickey Rourke (this movie does not exist).
Says he heard us talking about Sin City, and wanted to let us know that he's in town filming a movie called "The Underground" with Mickey Rourke (this movie does not exist). Says he wants to show us his headshot, and that it's in his car (friend and gf didn't want to go, but I was feeling adventurous). He pops his trunk and it is FULL of headshots, but none of them his. Men and women of all sorts. He then offers to buy us all drinks at a bar, and he's gonna call up Mickey so we can "go hang in his hotel."
Well, we weren't about to go into a weird hotel with this loon, but we did plan on going to a bar anyways, so we went. My friend tells the bartender that we don't know this guy, and if he tries to stick us with the bill, we're not paying. Minutes later, Paul Vasquez is literally thrown out the door by security, and disappears into the night, yelling back to us "don't worry! I'll call Mickey, and we can go hang with him later!" WhiskyAndWitchcraft
Dear Erin,
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Erin C.
We were at the beach in NC. Met you in the pool. We seemed to hit it off. Every time I listen to Comedown by Bush I still think of you.
This had to be somewhere about 20 years ago. God... I'll never forget you. tekhnomancer
Toby.
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I was doing volunteering to time at a swimming event, I also had to check the swimmers in (ask for their name and make sure it matched the one on the list), this dude comes up and I ask what his name is and he's like "Toby, what's yours?" So I check the list to make sure it's the right one and I'm totally blanking our so I didn't really process his question so I just said "I don't know." And off he went to swim.
I'm still cringing at myself for that one. Toby, if you're out here, hi I guess? -koi
You the Best.
I remember my family and I were at Applebee's or something (don't remember) and I found a wallet next to me. I didn't think of it until a few minutes later a woman came by our table and asked have they seen a wallet. I picked up the wallet and gave it to the woman. The woman gave me a five dollar bill to show gratitude. thatonegirlonreddit5
Shanghai....
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I used to work at an animal hospital where we boarded animals. One dog, Shanghai, a pittbull/sharpei mix, was a regular. One day, walking downtown, I saw her on a walk with her owner. She broke free and ran to me with kisses. The utter confusion on her owner's (who I'd never met) face was hilarious and memorable. I explained how I knew her, and all was well, but a funny experience nonetheless. thewildlifer
"shoo"
I drove a moped around Thailand last year and went to a place called Monkey Mountain. As soon as I arrived at the top of the mountain I was surrounded by 30+ monkeys looking for food, drinks, and whatever that was in my moped. The monkeys were all over me (jumping, scratching, pulling my hair) so I got off my moped, parked it, locked the seat and went further up the mountain to see the scenery.
Upon my return, one of the larger dominant males had stayed behind and ripped open my seat and chewed a massive hole in the upholstery. He was close to opening the locked seat when I started yelling and throwing my hands in the air. That didn't do anything so I tried getting closer, making myself look larger, yelling, etc and nothing worked. I finally got too close and the monkey opened his mouth to reveal 2 large teeth- easily 3 inches long. The teeth worried me so I backed off. By this time the monkey has broken the seat opened and is reaching for my things.
Just as I thought my stuff was long gone, suddenly a Buddhist Monk appeared behind me. Without me even saying anything he leisurely walked up to the moped and made a silent "shoo" motion to the monkey about 7 feet away. The monkey casually just gets up like he wasn't doing anything and walks away. I yelled "Thank you!" to the monk and he gave me a smile/nod and kept walking like a total baddie. gretschhandler
Harriet.
A woman named Harriet at a coffee shop. I let her cut in line because I had a large order. After she ordered she joined all her friends who were there to celebrate her birthday. She was absolutely beaming during their celebration. She was really nice and it was probably her 72nd birthday if I had to guess. I still ask myself 'what would Harriet do?' when I'm trying to be an optimist about life. Idk why but she was just that pleasant. quitefranklyidk
PM me please......
10 months ago, I got into a horrific motorcycle accident and found myself laying on the street dying. The ground was scorching as I live in Arizona where we often have temperatures pushing 120° F. I was being cooked alive by the pavement until a passerby jumped out of his work truck, picked me up and put me on a moving blanket. I don't remember his face but I remember his actions.
He called an ambulance and waited with me until they came. Whoever you are, thank you. You deserve more than a comment on reddit. If for some reason you are reading this, PM me please. I still have your moving blanket.
Edit: My wreck happened between Recker and McDowell on the 202 in the 90° curve. Not sure if that might help find this guy. cacuca2
be clean....
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When I was graduating high school, my mom took me to get a suit for the ceremony. I remember thinking the girl at the checkout counter was really cute, and only a year or two older than I was. Being the obnoxious teen I was, I tried to act cool, and pretend my mom wasn't there.
Of course my mom was having none of that, and made sure to tease me in front of her about how messy my room was and how I never hung up my clothes. The cashier laughed, and told me "she's right you know; girls like guys who are neat and tidy."
Needless to say, I went beet red and was mortified at not only being teased by my mom, but also by a random cute girl. But ever since that day, I have always tried to make sure my room is clean and that I actually care for my clothes.
Thank you random cashier for helping me be a better, cleaner person. mekanikstik
That One Moment...
My best friend died and when I was leaving the experience on a plane, I had been up all night drinking and crying. I was a nervous wreck on the plane but I was trying to keep it together. I put my head against the seatback in front of me during the take off. I felt so unsafe and alone. She put her hand on my back the whole take off. It was the most comforting thing. She had a cat in a crate and once were off of the ground, she took it out and let me hold it. This was 15 years ago but I will never forget her. KristenKutThroat
Pretty solid.
I was on a flight from Europe back to the US to visit home. It was me, my wife and our 6 month old baby. We were sitting next to some Swiss dude who was really friendly. We chatted a bit when we weren't busy with diapers and doing baby things. At any rate, we had a 5 hour layover in DC and about 2 hours into the layover I hear someone yelling, "hey, excuse me." It was Swiss guy. He was sitting in a restaurant and saw us walking by.
He wanted to tell us that we had forgotten our baby's blanket on the plane but he remembered that we were flying on to Dallas after our layover so he found out which terminal/gate our flight was leaving from and took the blanket it there and gave it to the gate staff with a hand-written description of us for the staff and a hand-written note for us. Pretty solid. mejok
Over Beers.
In college my roommate pissed me off for not doing chores, so I left in anger and went to the bar right by my apartment. Say down next to this older gentleman, and we chatted over beer.
The dude goes on to tell me he trains professional sled dogs in Alaska and was down visiting family.
And he was telling me all about how you train these dogs and the weather you have to endure, it was honestly really cool. Eventually we finished our beers and went our deer ate ways. And I still think about him from time to time. JumboKraken
The Old People.
I opened a door for a super old guy and his wife. The guy stopped, gently touched my arm, and said, "I've lived in this town for 92 years and not once has anyone opened a door for me. Bless you." He gave me a giant, toothless smile shuffled into the building. His wife gave my arm a pat and a big smile as she walked in after him. I was in a really bad place psychologically, and that was the first positive interaction I had had with anyone in months. It made me sob with happiness. I think of that guy often and I wonder how he is doing. LaunchesKayaks
Thanks God.
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An old, homeless-looking man once approached me, while I was eating a sandwich, and said "how come we cant eat grass like sheep do?" And I responded "well, they have different digestive systems." And he said "OH, so its GOD'S FAULT is it!?" I mean... I guess? Magmafrost13
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When we're intoxicated, or even the slightest bit tipsy from having a little too much to drink, our immediate perspective on things is hazy.
But there's nothing like a bit of alarming news or a jarring incident to snap us out of the fog and focus on the moment.
Sometimes alcohol isn't always to blame for our impairment.
It can be a state of mind, like a perpetual numbness from being complacent in life, and all it takes is one shocking moment to rattle us back to our senses.
Curious to hear from strangers online about this type of scenario, Redditor Known_Challenge_7150 asked:
"What’s one thing that sobered you up real quick?"
These individuals were witness to shocking events that sobered them up right quick.
Bleeding Out
"Got out of a taxi and found a naked man profusely bleeding from his head crawling up the driveway in my condo. Called him an ambulance completely forgot I was absolutely wasted until 45 minutes later when I'd helped him translate and in to an amublance and stepped in my front door."
"Later a few days later learned he'd slipped in the tub and literally crawled out for help. Poor dude. He was fine but I genuinely thought he was going to die there."
– DongLaiCha
Tragic News
"At a bachelor party and we got a phone call that the groom’s father had suddenly passed."
– accountnameredacted
Bottom Of The Barrel
"I went to visit my parents back in July. I was homeless and deep into fentanyl addiction so I lost a lot of weight. My folks could see it. They knew something was up. Anyway, I spent the night and I was getting ready to leave in the morning and I looked at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I finally had enough and told them everything. They took me to detox, from there I went to rehab. Graduated in August and been living with them ever since then. I have 160 days clean and sober."
– Crotch-Monster
A reality check can be enough for some people to snap out of it.
Like Father, Like Son
"Was driving a drunk friend home, he had been on a bender again and was smart enough to call me for a lift rather than try and drive. As I helped in to his house his mother came down the stairs and said 'your as drunk as your father' and went back upstairs. I haven't seen him drunk since then, he still drinks but the thought of turning into his dad scared him out of hard drinking."
– psycospaz
Busted
"Flashing blue lights."
– FiddleOfGold
"This sobered me up just thinking about it."
– redmaple_syrup
Losing Sight
"Woke up to no sight in one eye. I had cataract surgery so just thought one of the lenses had slipped and it was an easy fix. Eye doc says nope, you had a stroke. I loved soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and salty food, which caused high blood pressure, which caused retina damage. Over six months was able to get most of my eyesight back with medication, and all back within a year. Trying to navigate life with one eye was very sobering. Started taking HBP much more seriously."
– MissHibernia
Quitting The Bottle
"Looked up someone I went to highschool with who was an awesome guy. Found out he had been dead for 3 years from alcoholism, at age 33. I made an overnight change. I hadn't started drinking that night yet, 10 months ago. Haven't touched it again since."
– omgtater
These disturbing moments were enough for Redditors to immediately come to their senses.
Unplanned House Guests
"Me and a buddy Woke up in someone’s living room, realized neither one of us knew the people, they were just nice and let 2 drunk guys sleep on their living room floor. We didn’t even say goodbye."
– Oneinsevenbillion75
Serious Health Warning
"Elevated liver enzymes."
"And the knowledge that this sh** was gonna kill me and I just couldn't orphan my family over it."
"So I opted for recovery, instead."
"Clean and sober since June 5, 2009."
– Far_Meal8674
The Joyride
"Grew up in a rural area. The little town hosted dances at the hockey arena, everyone (adults and kids) went and they overserved everyone, regardless of age. I was maybe 16 or 17 and was absolutely sh*tfaced, and jumped in the back of someone's truck with about 8 other people to go back to someone's cottage for after dance drinking. The driver (still don't know who it was) started racing one of his buddies and we whipped around small dirt roads, flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road, going god knows how fast. It was basically a disaster waiting to happen. It was crazy scary and I was sober and thankful to be alive when we finally arrived."
– foxfood9116
The human psyche is a fascinating thing, isn't it?
How we can automatically focus on something urgent at a crucial time, even after getting buzzed from drinking too much alcohol.
But as we're in the thick of the holidays, it's a good reminder to drink responsibly and stay off the roads if you drive to your celebratory destination.
Cheers. Stay safe. And happy holidays.
We've all complained or vented about something in our lives which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't exactly a problem, or is very easily solved.
Then there are those who complain about things that others almost hope will happen to them at some point in their lives.
These are known as "first world problems", as they are problems that pretty much only the world's one percent faces.
From having to fly business class instead of first class, or being served Roederer instead of Dom Pérignon, these complaints are often met with amusement, bewilderment, or even anger.
Redditor jennimackenzie was curious to hear the most absurd "first world problems" anyone ever complained about, leading them to ask:
"What’s the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you’ve seen people get worked up over?"
"Tale As Old As Time..."
"I once knew a mom who was legitimately devastated, to the point of tears/grief, because a doctor predicted her 8 year old daughter's final height to be around 5'2","
"Which wasn't tall enough to get cast as Belle at Disney World."
"That was the child's (and her mother's) only dream in life, apparently."
"Didn't appreciate my suggestion that she could be Minnie or Mickey."
"Lol!"
"Only a face character would do!"- TravelLovingMom
"Must Be Funny, In A Rich Man's World..."
"My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency."
"He'd call the bank in advance to make sure they had some on hand."
"I think he was a germaphobe."
"He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was 'dirty' and regularly just donated it vs spending it."
"I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it."
"I said f*ck yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
"Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs."
"They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in."
"3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms."- azninvasion2000
Money Burn GIF by nog
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Who Wore It Better?
"When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ."
"I was wearing this pretty floral sundress."
"His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed."
"I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you.'
"Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you?"
"No."- mertsey627
Seeing Red! Or Blue In This Case...
"The blue of the balloons wasn't quite the same as the bridesmaid's sashes."
"Years ago my wife and I attended a wedding."
"It was very low key."
"The dinner was in the dining hall at the university where the couple met, cinder block walls and all."
"It was a Baptist wedding - no booze and very serious."
"The dark blue balloons attempting to liven up the hall were a slightly darker shade of blue than the sashes on the bridesmaid's dresses."
"The bride lost here sh*t and absolutely raved for nearly an hour."
"I can't remember how they finally managed to talk her down."- mechant_papa
south park wedding GIF
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See You In Court!
"Rich neighbors who end up in expensive court battles because they disagree about where a tree can be planted or whether the color of a fence fits in with the street’s 'amenity'."
'These disputes get really heated and rack up huge lawyers’ bills."
"The most pathetic part is after the judgement when they are arguing about who should pay the other party’s costs."
"Lots of affidavits filed citing the 'emotional distress' they had to endure, or painting themselves as brave warriors who were forced to take a stand to fight for 'justice'."
"Also lots of pompous litigants insisting that the judge refer to them by their 'Dr' title."
"An absolutely insane dumpster fire of entitled rich people problems."- ElectrocRaisin
It's Always People With Money Who Don't Want To Pay!
"I work in a public library."
"People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book."
"A popular book that just came out."
"Ok our services are not only free but so are the books."
"You’re welcome, a**holes."- Switchbladekitten
A Warm Butt Is A Happy Butt!
"My own."
"We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated!"
"It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable."
"Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold!"
"Unacceptable!"
"This shall not stand!"
"I was really upset because it didn't feel good."
"Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had."
"I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid."
"I got over it."- DeathGrover
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Holy Matrimony!
"Weddings are a gold mine for this question."
"People get so hyped up over their 'most important day of their life'."
"They'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations."
"It's not always the couple who go crazy, either."
"Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding."
"It's just a party."
"Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it."- magicrowantree
When Fast Food Isn't Fast Enough...
"Having to pull off to the side to wait for a drive-thru order to be brought out to you because your food isn't ready and there's a line building up behind you."- demanbmore
In Case You Don't Think Customer Service Employees Are Undervalued...
"I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories."
"One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy."
"It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return."
"I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust."
"How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers."
"I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box."
"When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin."
"There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped."
"We don’t offer wrapping services."
"Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DON'T BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP."
'I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested."- clever-mermaid-mae
Customer Service Waiting GIF by Juno Calypso
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Happiest Place On Earth!
"I used to work for Disney."
"That in itself should tell you everything."
"However for fun I'll give you two specific stories one form our tech department and one from my wife who worked bookings."
"I specifically worked for their call center to help with technical issues with magic band and the website."
"Suddenly got worse huh?"
"A right of passage call everyone has at least one story of is the 'Dome call'."
"Basically there is a subset of Disney Guest (TM) that believes if it rains at Walt Disney world there is someone that will push a button to encapsulate the whole of Disney property in a dome to keep out the rain."
"I'm not kidding."
"If this button is not pushed they call our tech department to angrily ask why."
"My wife worked booking."
"Pretty much everything including Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and Pirate's league."
"These two things did roughly the same thing difference being price and theme."
"BBB was expensive did more and was focused on princesses, pirates league did a bit less and focused on mermaids and pirates."
"Lady called up my wife, and got pissed about BBB being booked up (It goes FAAAAST)."
"Karen: 'Im going to give the phone to my daughter and I want you to tell her how you are ruining her vacation by not letting her do BBB'."
"Wife proceeds to explain how pirate's league is so much cooler and how she can be a mermaid or pirate and basically gets the kid to start demanding to their parents about how they want to be a mermaid instead of a princess."- trollsong
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The horror!
Being booked into a junior suite at Disney World instead of an executive suite!
It's almost as bad as having no money for groceries, or no food to feed you children...
Said absolutely no one.