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#03 Do Kind People Still Exist? (Good Samaritanism)

Posted by NWSO • August 23, 2009 • Printer-friendly

New Yorkers have a reputation for being unfriendly. That’s not entirely true but we live in a city where people are stacked on top of each other and the law of the land is get it done fast, quick and in a hurry. With that said there isn’t much time for small talk or random acts of kindness. That’s why when a New Yorker does do something nice it’s something worth noting.

Two weeks ago I was at my best friend’s birthday bash, a dope Brooklyn rooftop party in the cut. Although there were threats of rain in the forecast, which has been a daily occurrence this summer in the Big Apple, things were going smoothly and all the fashionably late folks were starting to arrive.

Since I wasn’t on my fast yet I was at the bar trying to grab my drink of choice when I felt my BlackBerry go off. I reached for my hip and pulled out the charcoal grey device to find a BBM from my boy Charles.

“How’s it looking,” he wrote.

“Oh, it’s poppin’, son,” I typed back. “Where U at?”

“@ the crib trying 2C if I should make the trek out there.”

“Word. There’s some thangs in here. Come thru.”

Charles and I exchanged a few more messages, while I was holding a conversation with my man Eric at the bar about the need for people of color to travel outside the country more. When my drink came, I reached into my wallet and pulled out a $20. Once I got my change, I left a tip and continued my conversation with Charles.

Eventually, I spotted my man Frank at the other end of the bar and being that I hadn’t seen him since Barack was elected I made my way towards his section. As the night goes on I’m chillin’ and mingling, and enjoying the atmosphere.

All of a sudden I notice this tall brother with cornrows making his way through the crowd. He appears to be looking in my direction, but I’ve never seen this cat before in my life so I pay him no mind. Sure enough this stranger stops right in front of me and speaks:

“Hey, you missing your phone,” he said, pointing at me as he speaks.

I had no idea what he was talking about or who he was, so I immediately blurted out, “Nah.”

Still shaking my head, I reached for my belt clip and discovered that my holster was empty.

“Oh, snap, yeah I am,” I said.

Knowingly, the stranger nodded his head and handed me my phone. “You gotta be careful with stuff like that.”

“Yeah, man, thanks.”

Like that, he was gone.

I have no idea who the brother was and how he knew it was my phone. In fact, when I checked my cell, it was actually turned off.

I guess he knew someone that recognized my NWSO logo screensaver and they pointed him in my direction. Whatever the case, it was a rare act of good Samaritanism for a New Yorker.

That’s not to say my hometown breeds thieves and criminals, but times are hard and homeboy could have easily scored himself a new phone or just left it at the bar. The fact he not only gave the phone back but actually sought me, a complete stranger, out was quite remarkable.

Well, actually maybe it’s not.

I know that I would have done the exact same thing and I would hope that most all of the people in my circle would do the same. But we live in such a cold world that you often expect the worst in people.

Still, here was a guy that didn’t know me from Adam and he didn’t hesitate in doing the right thing. That gives me hope that there are still some good people in this world and sometimes that’s all you need.

Have you ever been surprised by the kindness of others? What would you have done if you found someone’s phone at a bar? Have you ever lost something? Did you ever get it back or was it never recovered? Do you think that people have forgotten how to be kind to one another? What was the last good thing that you did for someone you didn’t even know? How did it make you feel? If you have never been a good Samaritan before are you willing to try—today?

Speak your piece…

**Check back in after sunset for the second post of the day**

Tagged as: acts of kindness, fasting, good people, good samaritan, Ramadan

Tacha

I feel sad that you live in a world (city) where something like this is rare and thought provoking. Or perhaps, I'm so nice that this doesn't seem like a big deal???
DIVISION

People are selfish these days.

I think NY is probably the worst city for this type of behaviour.

In the West, people are a bit more down to earth and real.

Oakland was very smooth and the people showed love.

L.A. has its scenes, but people are there for fun and they aren't as cold as New Yorkers.

For me it depends on the surrounding as to whether I expect the best or worst from people.

Living in Phoenix, it really depends where I am.

It's racially segregated, so knowing where you are is paramount.

I wouldn't expect to get my cell phone back.
Anonymous

My friend lost her $500 I-Phone in a a cab, and by morning we both mourned its inevitable loss forever. It was locked with a password, but before she'd cut off service I sent a text asking for them (whoever it was)to call me if they found it. Luckily, a kind soul who couldn't read my whole msg since it was locked found me on LinkedIn, and by noon that same morning, she had her phone back when she met him at his job.

Personally, I find that NYers are helpful to those in need, some of the friendliest people you could meet. On my first visit, so many people went out of their way to help me find my way that it was ridiculous... A waitress in the Bronx who was heading towards where I was staying even let me ride in her cab to my destination without paying!
http://futureofrapmusic.blogspot.com RTiculate

Gotta love when that shit happends, gives us a scary dose of reality like "Shit, what did I do with my phone?"

Up here in Canada, it's almost common practice to be a good samaritan, people are just genuinely concerned with each others well being. Let me point out that this is obviously not true for every Canuck, but we are more willing to help someone we do not know if the situation arises.

Being in new york the life style definitely does dictate the fast pace with little time to look back and help someone along the way. I'm glad you had a good experience.

Ya boy,
RTiculate

P.S. This 30 in 30 is ROCKIN' bro, loving the posts as usual - keep keeping me interested !
anonymiss

I did the same for a total stranger. called every number in the recent calls list until I reached someone who was with the person who lost his phone.

The guy seemed so shocked but the truth really is you reap what you sow and I would hope someone would do the same for me.
knappi

What happens when "Good Samaritanism Goes Bad"?

Didn't a guy just get sued for saving a woman out of a car wreck but in the process he may have paralyzed her? The woman is still alive but he was punished for trying to help.

If a woman is being beaten and you see it, is it being a good person to get involved and physically break up the argument or is it enough to call the police and let them handle it?

I would definitely give someone back their phone but in instances where something detrimental could happen to me as a result of being nice, I have to think twice...
http://myspace.com/nexus_da_underdawg da ThRONe

Maybe dude wasnt from N.Y.? LOL

Im not surprize either way anymore. For the most part people(down here) are pretty honest. You might get shot but in a very honest way!
Avah Royal

LOL @daThRONe's comment. I'm from the south I think its weird how we can be so friendly. Strike up a convo with random in the line at the store, make lifelong friends at the gas pump but the probability of getting killed here is BANANAS!

I am sometime surprised by the kindness of others. In some memorable instances in my life it was actually overwhelming. These events have slowly started to restore my faith in kind people.

I lost a cell phone a few years ago and luckily I was working for a cell phone company so it wasn't to hard to get it replaced. Out of the blue like 3 months later I got a call form someone who claimed to have it! I was like are you serious?!? I didnt even live in that state anymore so I just to her to keep it.

I'll be definitely working on my good samaritinism today. Did I just create a word? lol
http://twitter.com/katchin05 Karen

I certainly think I am a "good Samaritan". Call me a wierdo, but I honestly love to return things to people that they've lost. Off the top of my head, I can remember returning bank cards, IDs, wallets, cellphones, a flashdrive, a purse and various jackets.

Most of the time people are surprised and relieved, I just like to be a reminder that there are still honest people in the world & hope someone would do the same for me.
http://myspace.com/nexus_da_underdawg da ThRONe

@Karen

Its bad if your a weirdo for doing the right thing. Im not religious nor do I believe in karma. But if everybody did the "Right Thing"*Word to my dog Spike Lee* this world could be worth living in for everybody. Instead of the cesspool we live in now!
distinguishedgentlewoman

I was thinking to myself just yesterday, "People are really evil creatures." Because it seems like nine out of every 10 persons I meet go out of their way to be bloody evil to one another. They're mean, selfish, inconsiderate, rude, just plain evil. And it's not just New York. I don't know what's going on with the world. But in that mix, there is that one person who is genuinely kindhearted and just outright good. Yes, they may have their off days, but deep down inside they are just good.
taylormade

I've been on both ends, I have found things, and kept them before, and I have tracked the owner down before to return things. I have never lost anything and had it returned to me, but I still think that the world is filled with good people, more than the bad, but its like people say, no one ever notices, or accounts for the good, be only see the bad.
Elle

Berlin is veeeeery much like NYC - even New Yorkers are quick to say it. We're known for being rude, brushing folks off, always being a rush, and pretty cut throat.

I don't know how yall do in NY, but in L.A. and Philly random strangers have striked up convos with me on the train, the bus or wherever. Where I am from you hold on to your stuff, check your pockets to make sure nobody has been picking them and give the stranger an irritated and "don't mess with me" look. We do not talk to strangers. We are not nice. We expect the worse from people.
So being in those 2 cities was quite hard for me to get used to - culture shock if you will. People seemed more open, and therefore nicer than what I am used to.

I have never lost anything which was returned. Ever. Quite frankly, I'd probably return something I cannot make use of. Otherwise I'm keeping it. I'm not sure, it depends. If I can tell what kind of person the item belongs to, I might be caused to feel bad or some sort of connection, then I'd return it. For example, scientists found out that people are more likely to return wallets which have a baby picture in them. Note to self: put baby picture into wallet.

One of my girls recently lost her Blackberry at the club, her work phone at that. She tried everything to locate it - to no avail. One day she received a call from a woman in London who had her phone :O That woman and her husband were at the same club that night and her husband also lost his Blackberry (although those are 1 too many for one night to be a coincidence, but ok). He called the club, they had found one and mailed it to him in London because they were only visiting Berlin. So when the phone arrived they realized it wasnt his and contacted my friend instead. She received her phone in the mail one week later. How cool is that?

Good samaritarians do exist. Not sure if I qualify as one.
July

No good deed goes unpunished.
litrisha

I was personally taught to do go deeds and respect people, all in all my parents raised me right. If I found someone's wallet I would kindly return it back to them. I'm the type that if you drop a $20.00 bill I will tell you that you dropped it because I don't want that bad guilt to follow me around....it's pertinent that you do good by others because it will come back to you.
A lot of people just don't care about courtesy anymore, no manners and just no home training....like I always say it starts on the homefront. I'm glad that I'm the person that I am, I'm not perfect because no one is, but at least I can say that I have morals.
gethsemia

I think there are still good people out in the world. I remember losing my wallet with my rent money and it was turned into customer service. I found it. iwas lucky that person turned it in. With all the crazy thing, events happening right now I'm glad there nice people around. At times some act random acts acts of kindness do shock me.
xhiba AKA englishrose

I do try to be a do gooder.

I used an ATM and it was a bit faulty. Person in front of me had withdrawn £300 but they didn't recieve it though they waited well over 5minutes for it. I used the machine next and before i recieved my own money, the £300 was dispensed. I handed it in to the police station and i was told that it was claimed by a grateful gentleman. It was nearing Christmas time and in my mind knew how i would feel to lose such a large amount of money. I was glad to have handed it in.

On the other hand, cos i live in London, people here are as unfriendly as in NYC and Berlin and no one gives a hoot about you. Last week an ATM was accidentally giving extra cash on top of what you selected and lots of people were queuing to get "free money" to which the supermarket did say they wouldn't try and claim it back. Some people made well over £2000 extra that day. Lucky for them i say.

But i know better that even if no one is watching you, do the right thing as karma has a way of catching up with you.

So Ans, yes there are good people out there but i'm starting to feel like they are like a needle in the haystack!
naturaldreamer

I live in the south. not the deep south but the south none the less and southerns, most southerns ,are firendly. I enjoy walking down the street and have random people speak to me. However niceness still depends on the individual and the individuals i encountered in walmart yesterday were not feeling very good samaritanish!!

When i was in walmart there was a little boy that lost his mom. he was running around in the produce section crying and yelling his moms name. So i was watching him for a min before i stepped in to see if his mom was in that area and he just kept missing her. I was also looking around at other people and NOBODY was looking at him or even lookied like they were attempting to help. AND i know they could hear him becuse he was screaming. so after about 3 mins of this i go over to the boy and introduce myself and ask if it ok if i can help him then i reapeated it again in spanish and he nodded yes. so i take his hand and we walked around the store. after about a few mins we found his mom a few aslies back and she was also searching for him . she thanked me and i continued with my shopping.
but i mean damn i have heard of the bystander effect but this was just crazy!! this little boy could not have been older than 4!