Yeah well, in my case my gesture REALLY wasn't about the recipient or their ability to pay, or the policy of the store in the end.
It's an expression of gratitude by a person who can afford it.
Proper etiquette "paying it forward"
- Thread starter Fuzzbuster
- Start date
It's an expression of gratitude by a person who can afford it.
Fuzzbuster
Well-known member
Heres a bit more background. I didn't pay it forward. I think the guy infront of me got wrapped up in the chain, he most likely had his meal paid for and then felt obligated to continue the chain. I definitely did not look like I needed a hand out and I also don't look like the friendliest fellow! When I got to the window, I already had my card out ready to tap and the guy said that the guy infront of me had paid for my meal, my reply was "why did he do that". I thought for a second to pass it on but.... the guy behind me was already in my bad books because he didn't leave a gap for cross traffic to pass through between the drive thru order speaker thingy and the window. The guy infront of me and myself did however. Common courtesy. I had no clue about the tip the employees instead policy but I would not tip $30 anyways. I was more surprised by the hole gesture more than anything, I had heard of ppl buying coffees for ppl and small things but didn't realize paying for larger bills.
My guess is that is often an oversight followed by embarrassment so they don't want to retract the offer. "Your bill was paid, do you want to pay the bill behind you?" gets a yes/no answer from most people. When they pass you the machine and it is $30, I suspect most swear under their breath and then tap.
N234
Well-known member
Exactly! They asked if I wanted to pay for the next person and I said sure.
They said "are you sure, it's two combos?"
I always get a breakfast and coffee for the hourlong commute and most often pay forward just buy a coffee or two so I figured "sure, why not"
And the minimum wagers were probably like "I bet you got an easier job than me" and they'd be probably right because almost everyone does.
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They said "are you sure, it's two combos?"
I always get a breakfast and coffee for the hourlong commute and most often pay forward just buy a coffee or two so I figured "sure, why not"
And the minimum wagers were probably like "I bet you got an easier job than me" and they'd be probably right because almost everyone does.
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I don't think it's a chain.
"Pay it forward" means do something nice for someone else anytime in the future. Doesn't have to be paying for a meal. Look back at the line-up in the supermarket. If the young mother with three kids crawling all over her is looking particularly miserable and she's got diapers and baby food on the conveyer belt behind you, just tell the checkout person, "I got that as well".
Smile and tell the person behind you, "Just pay it forward".
N234
Well-known member
I like that. Do something nice for somebody. Hold open a door, or help loading the car. One and done.
I'm really only dissing the drive thru game.
The first time it happened to me, the drive thru queue had just merged from two to one, and I let someone go first. They arrived after I did, but they should be in front of me according to the "zipper merge".
I'll never know if they were just being really grateful, or if they were in the middle chain.
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Fuzzbuster
Well-known member
Wow, your really trying to single me out as a bad guy.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
That’s me!
Priller
Well-known member
The coffee bar in Rome we go to has a corkboard with coffee receipts pinned to it. As the system is to pay first and turn in your receipt to the bar to get your coffee, anyone can grab a receipt off the board for one paid by a stranger in advance. It's called caffè sospeso, or suspended coffee, and it's intended for someone who needs a free cup. I never saw anyone actually claim a prepaid coffee, but the barista said it does happen regularly. It's a Neapolitan tradition that's spread across Italy, especially at Christmas. A coffee is €1.50, though, not $30...
The story goes that a little old lady ordered and then drove to the pay window where she got befuddle with paying. The people in the car behind her started yelling and honking so the lady told the cashier she wanted to pay for the second car's order as well. She did and drove to the pick up window as the people behind her changed their attitude and waved good vibes. At the pick up window the lady said she paid for both orders and wanted both, driving off with them.
The second car had to drive around the building again and reorder, no free lunch.
The second car had to drive around the building again and reorder, no free lunch.
Yeah that's been retold 14 different ways
I dropped off some dog food, treats, and 6 months worth of joint supplements to someone at one of the encampments in Hamilton last week. Turned out the guy's dog had hip issues so the supplements will come in handy.
Mikedezo44
Well-known member
I prefer to be anonymous. Have paid for many tables of food in Thailand while I was paying my $3.00 bill and walked out. Usually can make a number of people happy there for less than $20.
Or at small breakfast places tell the server to add on the 2 elderly ladies bill, 3 tables over onto mine. You know it'll make their morning/day.
Or at small breakfast places tell the server to add on the 2 elderly ladies bill, 3 tables over onto mine. You know it'll make their morning/day.
Fuzzbuster
Well-known member
I was at the drive thur today and there was no one behind me so I tried to start a pay it forward chain... it didn't work!
It’s not really about thinking someone can’t pay for their own order. If that were the case you wouldn’t be in the drive through line. It’s about a random act of kindness. I’ve had this happen to me. I was actually have a real ****** day and had the person in front of me pay for my coffee. It had a huge impact on me. The person never waved, or looked for a thank you. Just one stranger doing something nice for another. I started doing this and do so a few times a month. I normally limit it to 10.00 and under per order. It feels good thinking you may have made someone smile
I like karma.
One sweltering hot day I was leaving the shop with a bottle of cold water I had just pulled from the fridge. Getting into the van I noticed a guy slaving away in the sweat shop next door and gave him the bottle. The look on his face was thanks enough and I grabbed myself another one, drinking it on the way to a job.
After an hour or so at the job, working in the sun, a lady brought me a cold bottle of water, saying "I thought you could use this."
One sweltering hot day I was leaving the shop with a bottle of cold water I had just pulled from the fridge. Getting into the van I noticed a guy slaving away in the sweat shop next door and gave him the bottle. The look on his face was thanks enough and I grabbed myself another one, drinking it on the way to a job.
After an hour or so at the job, working in the sun, a lady brought me a cold bottle of water, saying "I thought you could use this."
