Today was our first official day of giving. We started off with just two of us, equipped with signs that read 'free hugs', candy, stickers, and lots of anticipation as to how the day would turn out. Here are the highlights of our day's experiences:
First stop: Dierberg's.
To be honest, we weren't really sure where to start. So we asked the man in charge of bringing in the carts. His name is Lloyd. Lloyd is a pretty genial guy; as soon as we introduced ourselves and explained our goal to do nice deeds, he smiled and chuckled. I think Lloyd was pleased to have some help, and he put us to work gathering carts in the parking lot.
Then, we stood at the entrance of Dierberg's (chatting with Lloyd, of course) holding our 'free hugs' posters and offering stickers, as well. One woman immediately came up and wanted a big hug. My first for the day! (One for me, none for my partner...) Soon after, a truck rolled by, passing us. But it stopped, backed up, and a woman in the passenger seat got out of the car to get a free hug! (That made one for my partner, even stevens) The responses we got were really encouraging; no one seemed to be averse to our kindness or creeped out at all.
Unfortunately, big corporations don't feel the same way. The manager came out and told us that we had to leave the lot, claiming that people feel pressured to respond or give in to solicitors. Ok, understandable. So, we switched locations.
Next stop: Target.
Ok, so it's another big company. But we collected some shopping carts and gave away candy to construction workers.
Best part of the Target experience: witnessing a young man offer to help an elderly woman move a heavy item into her trunk. And he wasn't even part of our crew! I ran up to him and introduced myself. I told him I saw his kind deed, and just wanted to say it didn't go unnoticed, and to keep doing nice things. Lots of appreciation and smiles were exchanged.
But, Target has a strict policy on solicitors, and we were quickly turned away. I am surprised to find that they don't even allow Salvation Army volunteers to ask for donations.
Driving home: Saw a homeless man with a sign that read, "Will work for food," sitting at the corner of Olive St. and 170 exit. We tossed him some candy; it's all we had. Hopefully it helped.
Last attempt at kindness for the day: Verbal compliments in the mall.
We hit up the Galleria with the hopes of brightening some customers' day with some nice compliments. Fortunately, another friend joined us, making a total of 3 givers! I suppose we needed to think this one through a bit more.
Main problem: what's the best way to reach the most people in an effective way? Couldn't decide whether to walk around, giving compliments as we ambled, or to stand in one location and shout them out. We settled on giving some compliments in American Eagle. We complimented a few women on their accessories (cute bag, nice scarf...). People are really friendly and received the comments well. They would stop and have conversations with us, and tell us where they got the item or the story behind it. I definitely want to try verbal compliments again. I feel like this one has a lot of potential if we can perfect the deliverance.
All in all, a good first day! Can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
My thoughts on compliments: sincerity is the most important factor. Rather than complimenting anyone, try finding someone who is distinctly not having a good day-- or blatantly misbehaving-- and offer them a sincere compliment. Sometimes it works miracles!
The more the compliment is directed at the person themselves, rather than something more superficial (like their scarf or matching shoes), the more beneficial it is to the giver and receiver.
Also remember that the point of compliments is perhaps more as an exercise in learning to see the goodness everywhere, rather than making others happy. Their happiness is the beneficial side effect in adopting a more joy-inducing outlook for yourself.
Post a Comment