I turned around and was face-to-face with a mustached man and moved to the side, initially annoyed that he was standing so close.

"Whaddaya want?" The question came out of the blue (or from under the mustache, rather) and, for a minute, I didn't think it was intended for me because the man never even glanced at me.

"Oh, I was just going to get some orange juice," I said cautiously.

"I've got it," he said, pulling out his wallet. "How much for the orange juice?"

"One-forty," the girl responded, her smile never fading. He pulled out two, dollar bills and handed them across the glass counter.

I felt a little weird accepting this purchase from a complete stranger in the airport, but at the same time, it was so offhanded and seemed so simply genuine that I accepted more out of speechlessness than being grateful I was being given a handout. I thanked him and returned to my gate a little surprised.

I know it sounds strangely Hollywood, but as I sat there sipping my OJ, I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to perform some similarly random act of kindness.

Older Entries