A few days ago, I saw my old “bus buddy” Charlie. It’d been a minute. When you ride the same bus route to and from work, you wind up getting to know some of your fellow passengers, and Charlie was one of those. Philly guy. Funny dude.
But Charlie lost his stockbroker job about 20 years ago. I’d still see him occasionally around the neighborhood, but only very infrequently. Losing his job was a real gut punch for a divorced dad just trying to get by. He wound up working valet parking at the downtown hotels. He’s still there now, working mostly weekends. I’m sure the career shift from white collar to blue collar was humbling. But a man’s gotta eat. And honestly, that change gave Charlie a perspective that has probably made his life better.
I saw Charlie when I got on my homeward bound bus. He wasn’t headed to work, he had just run into a man and woman (and their dog) at his bus stop, and they were asking for directions to another bus. Charlie wound up getting back on the next bus downtown and staying with the couple until he could point them to the transfer spot. Both folks had what appeared to be their entire earthly possessions in giant backpacks, and the man’s backpack had piece of cardboard strapped to the back with the words “traveling broke” written on it in marker.
Most of us would’ve sized them up as “homeless” and tried our best to look the other way. Put on our headphones, bury our nose in a magazine, and try to avoid eye contact. Not Charlie. He recognized “down on your luck” because he’s been there, done that. He didn’t just help those fellow travelers get to their next bus. As they were getting off, he slipped the guy a twenty.
Charlie’s not in any position to be tossing out Jacksons with abandon. Yet he gave, and did so gladly. It reminded me so much of the Bible story of the widow at the temple:
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 43Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. 44For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
From Mark Chapter 12
Most of Charlie’s earnings are tips. Every day, he relies on the kindness of strangers. He appreciates those who give generously. So he had no problem being the benefactor to strangers that most of us would’ve tried hard to avoid altogether.
People like to complain about the “choose your tipping amount” message that pops up on the transaction screen at retail establishments, usually at quick-serve restaurants. “Why should I tip them? I did all the work!”
From this 2023 US News article
I get it, sometimes it feels a bit ridiculous.
But keep in mind that at most places with a “choose your tip” screen, the employees are relying on the kindness of strangers to make ends meet, to put food on the table, to pay for college, or maybe just pay their bus fare.
We can debate whether the tipping system is equitable, but it’s the coin of the realm (no pun intended) at most establishments.
Is that extra $1.61 really going to break your bank? Probably not. But it’ll make a big difference for the person it goes to. And maybe they’ll appreciate your generosity so much that they’ll slip the homeless couple a twenty.
What goes around, comes around. It’s up to you to get that wheel of generosity going.
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