Sometimes, you just gotta do the right thing.

[Frank the Tank]

So, its a long story but a good one I think.

The weather here (Southwestern Ontario) has been pretty cold lately, especially in the mornings and after work. I was on my way to a job interview one day after work, about 5:30 or so and had to stop for gas. It was windy and freaking COLD and as I ran in to pay, I noticed an older gentleman (75-80ish) taking stuff out of his trunk as he was parked beside the building. I thought it was odd and went in and paid for my gas. On the way out, I noticed he was pulling his spare out and that his rear tire was flat. I stopped and looked at my watch. I had half an hour to get across town to my interview. Surely someone would help this nice old man as it was rush hour and the gas station was packed.

I stood there and watch six or so people walk right by and completely ignore him and realized that I had to do what i had to do. I walked over and said hi and offered to help. He said "it was OK, I probably had somewhere I needed to go". Thats when I noticed his license plate with a poppy on it, meaning he was a vet. By his age, he was obviously a WW2 vet. I pointed to his plate and said I'd be happy to help. So we change his tire on his massive Buick or whatever it was, he thanked me endlessly, tried to give me money (which I refused), introduced me to his wife and all that.

So by this time I am for sure going to be late for my interview. I wasn't looking for a new job, this just came up through former co-workers and this guy wanted to meet me. Normally I wouldn't even go, but this job was at one of the biggest companies in North America, so, potentially a good move.

I get there late, apologize to the secretary for being late. She says John (just for the sake of putting in a name) doesn't even want to see me any more. To which I replied "no story is good enough, eh?" She kind of shook her head "no" but asked me what it was anyhow. I gave her the quick version and she was rather impressed. Plus I had grease all over my hands so I had proof! She goes into the office and comes back out in a few minutes with John in tow. Now, he is what you might call a "heavy hitter". He has control over a massive budget and no doubt makes more in two months than what my house is worth.

I can tell at first glance that John is what you might call....hmmm...whats the word.....a prick. Total, complete ass-hat. I apologize again and tell him I just "had to do the right thing and help this old vet out", to which he replies "well I think the right thing is to be on time for meetings no matter what." I stood there for a couple seconds in stunned silence, not really believing what I had heard. He is obviously wanting me to kiss ass to get the interview. I calmly stuck out my hand and shook his and said "well I'm sorry to have wasted your time John" and turned to walk out before he could respond. His secretary (who was SMOKING HOT by the way) shot me the wickedest little smirk as I walked out and left Mr. Big Shot standing there dumbfounded.

I know I just missed an opportunity to instantly increase my salary by at least 50% and have benefits and a pension and all that crap, but it was worth it to wipe that smug look off of that pricks face.

And I couldn't stop smiling all the way home.


Any other good stories about doin' tha right thang!?

[TheyCallMeBruce]

That is awesome. Good for you for doing the right thing. This world is seriously mess up when being a good samaritan is no longer regarded as the "wise thing" to do.

[Bill Bumface]

Hahahaha... Awesome story!! If you would have been working directly for him, it sounds like it wouldn't have been worth it anyway. I love it when people think themselves/their business are the end all and be all and someone "below them" puts them in their place. Nice work. Thats probably why I'll never be a higher-up guy, I would have hired you on the spot just because of that.

[mykalberta]

I commed you sir, if 1/100,000 of Canada's population was like that, this country would be 100,000 X Greater to live in.

Regards,

Michael.

MYK

[bluejays]

I've given homeless people who said they needed money badly (they didn't appear to be homeless), then while I'm watching them, move on right over to the LCBO. That actually happened once. Another time a few years back I park my call in Wal-Mart and this lady with a complete fur coat comes rushing up to my car as I'm about to park (almost hitting her), and so I park and open my door to yell what the fack she is doing and she starts crying...I ask her what's wrong, she says her car ran out of gas and she has no money, credit cards or anything like that. She asks me if I can spare $2, so I say no sweat...look into my wallet, and all I have is a $5 bill. I'm 18 at the time making minimum wage, but this lady needed help, so I give it to her. I found it odd though (b/c of the fur coat), so I decided to follow her...she goes to Wal-Mart and straight to the cosmetics section. I was steamed, but didn't do anything...just a bit disappointed. Another story...lost wallet at the ACC while I was working there...gave it to a coworker who was going on break to turn it in, he steals it, I come in next day, and next thing I know is cops are questioning me. I explain to them what I did, the bum coworker says I took half the money, and the ACC fires me (even though the police said they thought I was telling the truth). So that's some stuff where I just did the right thing, but it never helped. Good to see that you did the right thing (especially with the old guy, society just seems to ignore old people).

[jolinar of malkshor]

Congrats buddy....we need more people like you. Whenever I see a Vet plate I always go out of my way to be extra friendly and helpful. What goes around comes around.

One thing I do alot is pick up hitch hikers. I have met a lot of strange and funny people this way.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

ew. I calmly stuck out my hand and shook his and said "well I'm sorry to have wasted your time John" and turned to walk out before he could respond.

good story. was there still grease on your hand when you shook it

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

One thing I do alot is pick up hitch hikers. I have met a lot of strange and funny people this way.

...you must pack a large set of gonads my friend . Too risky for me.

[JiriHrdina]

You're a good man Charlie Brown.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You're a good man Charlie Brown.

. . . . . what that guy just said.

Cowperson

[Bobblehead]

Excellent story. Good on you, Frank!

That took a brass pair and I hope karma pays you back in spades.

[ken0042]

I can't top your story Frank, but here's one of my moments:

I was living in Winnipeg in an apartment 1/2 a block from their +15 system. It's about -30 out (probably -40 windchill) so I head out wearing a light jacket as I only have a 2 minute walk. During this time I see an old lady carrying her groceries. She would walk 2 steps, stop and have to put down her bags because they were so heavy and she was so cold. I cross the street, and she initially refuses my help. I mention that I can't let her go alone because I don't think she's going to make it, and that I will follow her anyways so she may as well let me help.

I pick up her bags and let her lead the way. She keeps wanting to stop and rest. I recognize this as a sign of hypothermia setting in so I keep talking to her- pushing her along. My hands are freezing as I don't have gloves on and I want to just run, but I keep behind her and keep talking to her.

We get to her house, and walking up the step she offers to pay me. I flat out refuse; saying that hopefully somewhere else somebody is helpoing my own grandmother as well. We get inside, and her husband is mad at first that she spent money they "didn't have" on a cab home from groceries. She insists I'm not a cabbie, and he then notices my frost bitten hands. Then he proceeds to open his wallet to offer to pay me, and I decline as well.

It's good to see that others also believe in random acts of kindness. Often you may not realize how much somebody appreciates it. And on that note, in case she is reading I would like to thank the girl who went and got me water when I was throwing up on Electric Ave in 1991.

[rubecube]

I would definitely send that out to a local media outlet with the guy's name and company. Good on ya!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Should of said.

"well I'm sorry to have wasted your time John - I thought it was a better thing to help an elderly vet out" for added effect. Make the clear to the guy he was an absolute dick.

That said, you knew you wern't going to take the job anyways in the 1st 5 seconds you met the guy right? Work for a complete asshat? I've been in a similar situation lately and said - no way does money replace hating your job and life.

I wouldn't go to the media like some have suggested - it's a small world...

[The Goon]

You made the right choice, and thankfully you got some validation in seeing that the boss wouldn't have been worth working for.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

One thing I do alot is pick up hitch hikers. I have met a lot of strange and funny people this way.

Brave soul. I have only picked up one hitchhiker and the story goes like this

04 playoff run and I'm hauling ass up to Calgary from Lethbridge driving by myself. I come around the bend to turn onto the #3 and there is this guy completely decked out in Flames gear. I figure to myself, how can I NOT pick up this guy. I pull over and he jumps in. First words out of his mouth are "I knew you would pull over, as soon as I saw the Car flag and could make out the Jersey I knew I had a ride". Guy was a pretty cool guy and beat the hell out of driving by myself. Makes for a great playoff story as well.

Good on ya Frank. Not many people would have done what you have.

[Frank the Tank]

Well thanks guys! I just got back from lunch and re-read and I have to say, I'm not trying to make myself out to be some hero. I was in a win-win situation because i didn't need the job. Hell, I wasn't even looking, so I literally (haha Hulk) had nothing to lose. I wish I could describe his demeanour better. I just knew that the second I met him, that I wanted to punch him in the teeth.

And as far as going to the local media and all that, for now, not a good idea. London is a very small city where lots of people know lots of other people. Thats actually why I ended up with the interview in the first place.

[Dion]

Your a good man, Frank. That was a wonderful thing that you did for that vet. It's a shame there isn't more people like you in this world. You have my utmost respect!

[habernac]

you rule, Frank. I did something similar once, too long ago.

I worked for years at Greyhound Courier Express. Christmas is a real nightmare, 12-16 hour days for a solid month, everyone ends up tired and irritable. Can't remember what exact day it was, around Dec 20th I think. A young Native woman comes in with her baby. A cab brought her there. She got a call that a parcel was there for her. I wasn't working the counter at the time as I was one of the supervisors.

She gets her parcel and opens it up. She starts crying, saying there should have been money in it. There's a few articles of clothing but no cash. She's bawling now. The cabbie has a real heart of gold, berating her for cab fare. I give him $10 and tell him to **** off.

It takes a few minutes, but I manage to calm her down. Her little boy is upset as well and quite obviously needs to be changed. I offer her a ride but she isn't sure how to get back to where she is staying. She calls someone and I get on the phone to ask directions. It turns out she's staying in the Native Women's shelter.

I get everyone in the car and give her a ride over. I was told by the woman on the phone not to get out of the vehicle as a number of their guests are just plain scared of men. She gets out and gives me a smile and a wave. One of the women working there comes out and offers me some cash for the ride and I refuse. "Merry Christmas" I said and smiled. The good deed was it's own reward.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by habernac

you rule, Frank. I did something similar once, too long ago.

I worked for years at Greyhound Courier Express. Christmas is a real nightmare, 12-16 hour days for a solid month, everyone ends up tired and irritable. Can't remember what exact day it was, around Dec 20th I think. A young Native woman comes in with her baby. A cab brought her there. She got a call that a parcel was there for her. I wasn't working the counter at the time as I was one of the supervisors.

She gets her parcel and opens it up. She starts crying, saying there should have been money in it. There's a few articles of clothing but no cash. She's bawling now. The cabbie has a real heart of gold, berating her for cab fare. I give him $10 and tell him to **** off.

It takes a few minutes, but I manage to calm her down. Her little boy is upset as well and quite obviously needs to be changed. I offer her a ride but she isn't sure how to get back to where she is staying. She calls someone and I get on the phone to ask directions. It turns out she's staying in the Native Women's shelter.

I get everyone in the car and give her a ride over. I was told by the woman on the phone not to get out of the vehicle as a number of their guests are just plain scared of men. She gets out and gives me a smile and a wave. One of the women working there comes out and offers me some cash for the ride and I refuse. "Merry Christmas" I said and smiled. The good deed was it's own reward.

Awesome. Good on ya Habby!