Random Acts of Kindness

Filed in archive Travel Trivia on October 9, 2007

A random act of kindness is a selfless gesture made by one person to assist or brighten up someone else's day. It is done for no reason other than to make someone happy. It can be planned in advance or it can be a spontaneous action.

Personally, I have been a receiver of random acts of kindness. I appreciate any form of generosity and I never fail to say a heartfelt thank you whenever I am in the receiving end. And I have since started to spread the love and pay it forward.

You need not have a huge amount of disposable income in order to pay it forward. Heck, even if you are just getting by, you can still share the love.

As an example, budget traveler YOU can still pay it forward. Yes, it is possible even if money is tight and you are doing everything you can to keep to your budget. Here are a few tips on how to pay it forward while you are traveling on a budget:

Metro tickets can be bought in carnets of 10. This is a cost-effective solution for those who are planning to use public transportation more than the number of times needed to travel with 6 carnets (depending on the zone), without being limited by time. Sometimes, you may find yourself with an extra ticket or two. If so, you can scour around for that Lonely Planet-toting backpacker and give it away.

Is your city card still valid for half a day even after your planned departure? Give it away and let someone else continue to enjoy the benefits of free public transportation and discounted museum entrance costs.

Still a few credits left to your pre-paid phone card? Pass it on to your roommate who could use a little cheering up from mom back home.

While having breakfast with fellow backpackers, share with them what you have learned during your travels to spare them what an error in judgment could cost (time and/or money).

Not that hungry? Pick out that guy with a big appetite and share your free hostel breakfast with him.

The thing is, if you are sensitive to what others may need, that little thing which you have no more use for, could help them.

Now... starting paying it forward!