Reddit user direwolf107 asked the folks at r/AskReddit about their profound encounters with strangers, and got some wonderful answers.
10.
I was about 16 and getting the bus home from school. It was always super crowded and and you'd be really lucky to get a spot on before the driver closed the doors and drove off. You could wait 4 or 5 buses before one came along that you could get on.
Anyway, me and my friends had been really lucky that day and managed to squeeze on to the first one, just about. The lady behind us started begging to be let on, saying she had a job interview. The bus driver said he was sorry, but the legally couldn't because of how many people were on. He kept asking us to move down but there wasn't any room and people were starting to get mad and telling him to just go. The woman started sobbing. It was about 2010 so we'd all been hit really hard with the economic crash, and jobs were hard to come by.
Like, it broke my heart. It was the first time I'd really seen an adult publicly in such distress. So my friend and I just got off and she got on. We didn't even look at her or exchange any words. The bus was free for teenagers, all we lost was 30 minutes that we would have normally waited anyway. But my parents were fairly comfortable, I'd never had to face how bad things were before. It feel like a big moment for me.
I still think about her from time to time. I hope she's okay, I hope she got that job. I can't imagine how it must have felt to be that desperate.
9.
I was on my way back from Disneyland Paris, sat in the airport and a guy beside me was typing away on his laptop. A little curious at what he was writing I peeked over and saw the title "the last letter I'll ever write". I was frozen for a few minutes, im 24 and I had absolutely no idea what to do. I thought maybe he was a writer and if I ask ill look stupid. Eventually though I turned round to him and said, "Look man, I really hope I'm making a fool of myself, but are you OK?".
Turns out he and his long term partner had broken up, and they were meant to be coming on this holiday, that he'd now come on with his dad. He blamed himself, and he'd been going to therapy for a while to get out of a a pretty dark place but some days were better than others, and writing the letters was an exercise from his therapist.
We chatted for a bit, about her, his dad, me, life in general. Turned out his brother lived nearby me and frequented a coffee shop right by where I used to live.
Eventually my plane got called, and we hugged and I told him I really hope things get better for him and that at the very least I'd had a lovely time talking to him. We left there and I still wonder what happened to him. I hope he's happy now, I hope that he's managed to find some good in the world again. But I guess I'll never know for sure.
8.
When I was a kid, I flew by myself for the first time. At the airport, when I was about to check in, I spotted an elderly lady looking at me. Deeply. At first I thought I accidentally hit her or something, so I asked if she needed anything. She nodded. Didn't give it much importance so I just checked in and headed to my plane. Later, already on the plane, I see the very same lady, looking for her seat. Of course I helped her and asked her what number her seat was. She handed me her ticket. "B37". I'll never forget it because I was the C37. She sat right next to me. I was scared. I was a kid, and I wasn't used to coincidences. Anyway, long flight.
When we arrived and were waiting for the plane to land for us to head out, she finally says "You know, you really look like my daughter, I even thought you were her! But she passed away 5 years ago, silly me. Here, this is her with my grandkids". She handed me her phone with a zoomed in picture. I was paralyzed when I saw her.
She looked EXACTLY like me. But she was 28 and I was 10. I couldn't even talk. Now that I am older, every time I look in the mirror for my birthday, I remember that lady and the picture. I am a living photo of her daughter. Every year that goes by, is a year that I look more like that woman in the picture.
When I turn 28, I hope this memory will finally scare me less.
7.
GiphyA stranger I interacted with at Wall-Mart about 4 years ago is still engraved in my brain.
I was with my mom shopping, and we found ourselves at the yogurt section. I love this stuff, so I was looking around at all the flavors pretty carefully. Well, after a little while a searching, a older man came up and started also searching through as well. He was maybe mid 40s or early 50s. I remember him being really tall, and he had a resemblance to my features. He had my build, same skin complexion, same hair color, you name it.
As we're searching through, he chuckles and says how he's gotta find the perfect flavor, and I agree with him. It's like our little mission to find the best kind - it was a lighthearted feeling just searching through the brands and flavors with him. He asks what my favorite flavor is, and turns out we had the same favorite. I thought that was pretty cool.
A little bit more looking through the section goes by, and he introduces himself as John.
My name is Jonathan.
He then found the ones he wanted, which were the same brand as the ones I was getting, and he put them into his cart, smiled at me, and rolled away.
I have not seen him since, but every time I remember the story I can't help but think that there's always a possibility I met my future self - even if it's just a silly idea.
6.
āWhen I was fresh out of college I drove over two hours away for a job interview and got into a car accident like a block away from the building. My car was completely totaled. A woman who was stopped at the stop sign near my accident pulled over and got out to make sure I was okay. I was completely fine physically but have very bad anxiety and immediately had a panic attack. I was sobbing and couldnāt catch my breath and this complete stranger sat with me the entire time telling me to breathe and just being so caring and supportive. She waited with me for the police to come, she helped me talk them through what happened, she called my mom for me, she even called the office I was on my way to so she could let them know about the accident and that I would call them to reschedule my interview. As if that wasnāt enough, once she found out that I was that far away from home and it was going to take my mom two hours to get to me, she CANCELLED HER MEETING THAT SHE WAS ALREADY LATE TO SO SHE COULD DRIVE ME HALFWAY.
She did not think it was a big deal whatsoever. She just stepped up to the plate to help without question. I would have been completely alone and lost without her that day. She was an angel, honestly. I lost her business card between all the paperwork from the accident and I've been kicking myself over it for the last five years. All I want is to call her and tell her how thankful I am and that I've kept her in my thoughts ever since. Roxanne if you're out there, thank you so so much. And please for the love of god send me your last name so I can send you some flowers.
5.
GiphyI was having a rough day and I thought I'd get an ice cream to cheer myself up. I was standing in the line and this old lady looked at me and asked if I was okay. I said I was fine and just had a rough day. I got up to the front to get my ice cream and she tells the cashier, "I've got this young man, he's had a rough day". She smiles at me and says enjoy your ice cream. I still think of her whenever I have a rough day. I send her my good vibes.
4.
An old man I overheard telling his grandkids that if their dad got accepted to the job he was interviewing for in town, they would move there and then they could visit each other all the time. I never even saw the guy interviewing for the job but I really hope he got it
3.
A year after graduating from a tiny college on Idaho, I was at Disneyland with a high school buddy. I was totally convinced that I saw a college friend, Adam, in line at Pirates of the Caribbean. I kept waving at him, but he looked at me like I was out of my mind. My high school friend tried to talk me down, saying that "Adam" clearly had no idea who I was...it's not him...everyone has a twin...yada, yada, yada.
The line finally snakes around to where I am standing right next to "Adam" so I tap him on the shoulder and ask "hey, aren't you Adam M?" And he says "no, I'm his twin brother Aaron"
34 years later and I still tell that story at parties. I only met Aaron once, in 1986, in line at Pirates, but I do wish him...and Adam...a very happy birthday on Facebook.
2.
I met my husband's doppelganger once. The man looked EXACTLY like my husband. I was eith someone at the hospital waiting for their medical transport to pick us up and I saw who I thought was my husband across the street. My husband was supposed to be at work so I was confused. I called out to him but he didnt respond. My patient and I walked over to him but I stopped short a few feet away because I started to realize maybe it wasnt actually him. His clothes were different and this man was assisting someone in care giving type role -my husband absolutely would not do that.
The guy noticed me staring at him and so I explained why and even showed him a picture of my husband. He swore that was a picture of him and this was all some practical joke. I had to show him pictures of my husband and I together for him to realize the pictures were not of him. This man could have been his identical twin. I often think of that encounter and how insane it was. I also think of the astronomical chances that not only did my husband have a doppelganger but that we lived in the same city for a while and I happened to cross paths with him.
1.
Once I was walking to work past a homeless shelter pickup spot. It was a sunny day, middle of summer. A small lady was standing on the sidewalk wearing rain boots, a yellow raincoat, and wrapped completely in a blue vinyl tarp. As I walked by her, she leaned into me, looked me in the eye and said, "...fish monster...?"
I still think about her. Did she think I was a fish monster? Was she concerned that I had seen a fish monster? Perhaps she felt I was unprepared, and her questioning tone was more about if I'd heard about the potential of fish monsters.
Such a surreally complex interaction in just two words. One thing I know for certain is that whatever the fish monster status was, she was clearly the best prepared of everyone present.
Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or "š¤" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.
Having snacks, necessary toiletries, and hot water are everyday things that many people don't have to think twice about. Unfortunately, there are households that can't afford everyday luxuries like regular meals or even heat in the winter.
Redditor u/slightly_above asked people who grew up poor about the things they cherish that normal people wouldn't think twice about, and people gave eye opening answers about the things others are lucky to never have to worry about not being able to afford.
10. Being able to afford to live
"Being comfortably broke. As In, all my bills are paid and my accounts are lower than I'd like but still in the positive. There is such a difference between being broke and content, and being broke and worrying about your next meal or bill being paid."
9. Free reign of the thermostat
Giphy"Being able to set the thermostat however high I want. Stepping out of the shower into warmth instead of a freezing cold bathroom."
8. Having all the necessitiesĀ
"Having a well stocked home. Never running out to toilet paper/paper towels/ soap / shampoo/ conditioner/ food.
Tps probably top 3. Ladies use a lot of toilet paper and when you're poor sometimes you dont know the next time you can buy some."
7. Being able to give your family a better life
"I grew up without hot water, infestations of rats and roaches, a mother who hoarded animals and no central heating and a/c. Now that I own a home with my husband the thing I'm most grateful for is having a warm home in the winter. Every year when we need to turn in the heat on it just hits me how grateful I am to have my kids grow up in a warm house. It stops me in my tracks and I have to call my husband and tell him how blessed we are and how lucky we are, to not only have each other and our babies, but to have a comfortable home for them to grow up in."
6. Having extra food hanging around
"Candy dishes/fruit bowls/DISPLAY FOOD
I have a stocked pantry and always keep a fruit bowl on the counter. Growing up poor in interior alaska fresh fruit is EXPENSIVE AF. I remember getting a fresh pineapple as a kid and everybody clamoring for peices! I visited an aunt for a few weeks in the lower 48 as a kid when my mom was in rehab, and she always had multiple jars of candy/snacks around. I was FLOORED, I couldn't wrap my head around the concept. To this day whenever I put out candy or nut dishes I get all warm and fuzzy."
5. Fresh produce
"Fresh fruit. The kids don't really get it, but in my house we always have fresh fruit. I have gone out to walk half a mile in -20 to go buy more when we ran out before.
I just remember it not being an option for so long, all we had was beans and rice because they were cheap.
My kids always have access to fruit."
4. No more second hand clothes
"New clothes just for me. I was one of the younger kids in a large relatively poor family. For years every thing I wore was a hand me down. Then it was buying super discounted remnants and seconds."
3. Having big holiday meals
"The concept of actually having food. I had crying for dinner a lot of the time because we just couldnt afford it.
One thanksgiving, someone dropped off a huge box of food on our doorstep in the night so we woke up to a turkey with an ice pack, and every side and dressing imaginable and I remember just sobbing uncontrollably that I finally had something to be thankful for."
1. Multi-floor houses
"My son can go upstairs. Or downstairs. It's a townhouse, sure, but when I was a kid, living in a trailer, I thought that having an upstairs was what rich people had. Now that we have an upstairs and a finished basement, he doesn't know how lucky he is."
We all go through awkward phases, and it can feel like everyone is always looking at you and noticing all of your flaws. But one day, a friend pointed out to me that people are too busy obsessing over themselves and their own flaws to be paying attention to mine. It helped me become more comfortable in my skin.
Redditor u/yesasinyes got free life advice when they asked, "What was the best advice someone has ever given you?"
10. Don't worry about what you can't change
"If you have a problem and you can do something about it, do it. If you cant do anything about it, what's the point in worrying?"
8. Don't be a bad driver in the rain
"My dad is a man of a few words but he did give me very sound advice when I got my driver license. He said, 'Make sure you don't get pulled over when it is raining. The cop has to get out, get wet, and by the time they get to you they will be grumpy. They will give you a ticket for their trouble.'"
7. Let go of grudges
"Holding a grudge is like letting someone live inside your head, rent-free.
Evict them, and use that space for something positive and constructive."
6. Can't win them all
"No matter how nice or good you are some people are just not going to like you and that's okay and you need to learn to be okay with that."
5. Be kind to yourself
Giphy"What advice would you give if a friend was coming to you with this problem? Sometimes we get so bogged down with our own personal biases and issues we forget that we actually have valuable wisdom to give ourselves"
4. Invest in your 401KĀ
"Start contributing to your 401K, even if only a small percentage to start.
Solid advice from the parentals."
3. Failure is okay
"Successful people are often the people who were willing to fail the most."
2. They'll make it worse for themselves
"If someone's arguing with you and won't let you talk, just don't say anything and let them dig themselves a deeper hole."
1. Shot of bourbon, please
Giphy"My great-grandmother had her 92nd birthday, I asked what's her secret. She replied with 'don't sweat the small things and a shot of bourbon will always help'"
Before I go to sleep for the night, I tuck my dogs into their bed and give them some pets and kisses goodnight. It's my most favorite part of the day. I get to be with my cute dogs, and it also signifies that I can finally lay down and relax. I also love when I'm early enough to be alone in the elevator at work.
Redditor u/Penguin_Pingu was curious about the little things that people enjoy, and so asked... "What's something you love about your daily routine?"
20. Taking time to learn
"drinking coffee while watching/reading something informative, it's an absolute delight"
19. Wholesome lunch
Giphy"Eating my peanut butter & jelly sandwich at work that was made by my wife."
18. Half days are my favorite
"Coming home on a half day with my lunch in the fridge, sitting in the living room with my lunch watching Parks And Rec"
17. Finally living with your S.O.
"waking up and going to sleep next to my SO every day since we both moved in together and he changed his work schedule. i'm thriving in it because we hadn't done that for so long because he worked overnights. i love that he's the first thing i see in the morning and the last thing i see at night."
16. Get that cardio in
"I get to bike to work 60 minutes everyone morning and evening along bike paths that border one of our rivers that snake through town. It is a fantastic way to get ready for the day or decompress after a hard one. Regular Cardio keeps me sane and healthy!"
15. Sit back and relax on the bus
"I dont drive, but generally I love taking the bus. I like just waiting to get to my destination and hanging out."
14. Multi-tasking like a pro
"Brush teeth while in the shower, listen to music, do homework and still have 4-6 hours of free time. Heck yeah!"
13. When your kid is too adorable
"My 6 year old waving and blowing kisses from the bus window on school days. She didnt do it the other day and I was sad about it all morning!"
12. When your pet shows you love
"Getting into bed at night and having my cat come and snuggle up with me, purring. She's the best."
11. Gaming by candlelight
"The evenings, I put on my candle and play on my Nintendo switch. Super peaceful :)"
10. Quality daughter time
"My 3 year old likes to wake up super early ... but since she mastered door handles she doesn't cry for me anymore, she just pitter-patters her way into my room and will snuggle with me for like 15 or 20 minutes while telling me about her dreams."
9. Unwinding alone
"I get off work at 5pm, my girlfriend/roommate gets off at 8pm. So until she gets off, I have time to unwind, play some video games, watch a movie, do what I want. And then she comes home and I get to see my favorite person"
8. The one happy person at work
"At around 3 PM everyday, the cleaning lady comes to my office. She greets me with a big smile as she gets through the door. While cleaning up the trash cans she sometimes talks about her family or her sons. Sometimes she wishes me luck with my work. You can tell that she loves her job and a great person. Meeting this sweet old lady always brightens up my day a little."
7. That would really be fun
Giphy"Choosing a wig. I get to chose who I'm gonna be for the day and it's exciting. One of those black girl perks."6. Singing really lets out tension
"Singing in the car on the way home. I have about a 40 minute commute. I probably get weird looks from other drivers, but I don't care. Still gonna belt it out."
5. Eight wonderful minutes
"Every morning after I get out of the shower I sit in front of my heater for 8 minutes while checking my phone and dry off like a car going through the blowy part of the car wash."
4. The cutest "cheers"
"I'm a stay at home dad with my toddler son. Every day first thing we do after waking up is go downstairs and he sits on my lap and we watch cartoons while he drinks his milk while I drink my first cup of coffee. He's sometimes goes 'cheers' and we clink cups."
3. Give yourself some time to reflect
"Every morning, before I start work, I write about my day before.
It's amazingly therapeutic, and probably my favorite part of any day. I get my first cup of coffee and just write. It's the best."
2. I hate getting out of bed, but it's the best to be the first one up
"Waking up early and getting to the world before anyone else does. Its like a permanent 1st! prize."
But Redditor u/CanWhip gave men a chance to talk about the last time they got so emotional that they cried. Men responded with stories of moments when they couldn't stop themselves from shedding tears of joy, sadness, relief, or just because they needed a good cry.
10. Saying goodbye to his kids was tough
Giphy"My marriage was on the verge of collapse when my ex-wife got a job offer in another state. She had been unemployed for some time so she had to take the job. We decided I should stay behind since I had a steady job and divorce was inevitable. My wife moved out and the kids stayed with me until she got a home in her new city. Taking my kids to the airport and putting them on a plane to move away from me was soul crushing. I held it together until they boarded. Once they got on the plane I lost it.
My kids only lasted a few months with mom before packing up and moving back to live with me."
9. This very supportive son
"Sunday. Wife has sudden onset of insomnia and anxiety since christmas which has started to trigger panic attacks. She had one while i was at work and called me. When I was free to call back my son answered the phone. I was sobbing listening to my 6 year old talk her through the breathing exercises we had practised. That kid gets ice cream for life, no questions asked. And I might go cry again."
8. A terrible end to an engagementĀ
"My ex fiance left me after I spent 9 days in the hospital battling duel pnuemonia and almost dying."
7. I almost lost it reading this
"I was tucking in my 7 year old daughter a couple of months ago, and she told me that she was worried about me dying before her (i'm only 42 and healthy). So I had a conversation about how old I am likely to live and that she will be an adult when I die. Then she said 'but when you do die will you help me, because I need you so much.' and I lost it"
6. A heartbreaking wake upĀ
"Woke up at 4am after dreaming my dad told me he has days to live. Then realised he is actually dead."
5. When your friends each milestones
"A few weeks ago, when one of my best friends told me he's going to be a dad.
I can go for months and months without shedding a single tear, but these news got me really emotional, in the best sense of the word.
This has been an eye-opening experience for me, as I had no idea I was capable of feeling such things."
4. Self-improvement is necessary
"Month ago.
Was yelling at my kids because they were misbehaving and I put them to bed early.
Broke down afterwards and cried on the stairs. Knew I didn't have to yell as much and said some unnecessary things.
Wife talked with me on the stairs and it turned into a turning point in my life and I'm doing much better with the discipline."
3. A first time parent
Giphy"My daughter was born the start of last year. Think I must have cried for a solid hour."
2. The best possible outcome
"About 5 minutes ago.
One of my nephews is currently in surgery for something his Drs have never seen in a kid his age before. I just got news from my sister that best case scenario has happened, and they were able to take care of things - he should be out of the OR in half the time as was expected.
So, yeah. Crying in relief at my desk at work. Going up to see him in a couple days. It's hard to explain what it means to have kids like him in your life."
1. Sometimes, we need a moment to cry
"Took a small getaway trip, about 8 hour drive few weeks back due to stress. I played all of the songs I shouldnt play on the drive up and let myself unwind in the car and get all of that stuff out, job stress, feelings toward my ex, the whole gammit.
Did me well."