Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Kings of Karma


This place is a daily reminder that survival of the fittest is more than just a concept – here it’s a way of life. Doors are rarely opened for ladies, the elderly never get any help while crossing the street, and the homeless insist on showing their penises to unsuspecting tourists. But in the dark world of cement and exhaust I have seen slivers of light…earlier this week on my way to work I had just gotten out of the subway when it started to downpour. I tried to cover my hair with my purse and run to work. A gentleman caught up with me and offered to share his umbrella and walked me an Avenue out of his way to my office building. He wasn’t creepy, didn’t ask for my number, and not once did I catch him trying to stare at my boobs. He just told me to have a nice day and went off into the mass of humanity that fills the sidewalks during the morning rush of the city.

Then yesterday morning at the same subway stop I was listening to my ipod and enjoying my morning walk to work down the Avenue. I passed by the café, the hat shop, the luggage shop, the grocery store, the shoe store, the sandwich shop and made my way to the crosswalk. That’s when I felt a man tap on my shoulder, “Ma’am, I’m gay but if you don’t mind me saying you have a cute butt.”
“What?” I asked.
“Your dress has been caught in your thong. I tried calling out after you but I don’t think you can hear me.”
“Oh my God- I’ve been listening to my music! Thank you so much.” I said half laughing and half mortified.
“No problem sweetie, I though you would want to know. Have a great day!", and off he went blending into the streets of the city- the second stranger to take a moment to be kind.

Thank you both, dear citizens of the city. I hope the kindness you have both shown to me is returned to you ten fold. Sorry if that last sentence sounds like a fortune cookie…I just don’t know how to say it any other way. Taking a moment out your day to prevent a woman from walking around with frizzy hair or unknowingly providing the world with gratuitous ass shots, is worth a lifetime of good karma.

6 Comments:

Blogger Bill From Gainesville said...

Said -- Pay it forward....And today I am going to find someone, and some circumstance to just be nice. -- not that I am not an all around nice guy on a regularly scheduled basis --just... you know...

6:49 AM  
Blogger quin browne said...

Bless him. I walked out of a bathroom once with mine caught up, and no one said a word.

(sigh)

8:02 PM  
Blogger Marissa said...

WOW! I know just what you mean about people being so caught up in themselves in this city that no one ever goes out of their way to be kind to anyone else. These two strangers have renewed my faith in Manhattan people! I hope their goodness rubs off on others. :)

7:22 PM  
Blogger mmyers said...

I visited a pal of mine in NY earlier this year who's a native NY'er. Anyway, he totally ragged on me about my tendency to nod or say 'hello' if I met eyes with someone. He kept drilling into me "don't be nice to people here". It made me a bit sad. Anywho, nice to hear there's nice folks there too.

11:32 AM  
Blogger Andy said...

Holy crap, you're back! You bought me a salad once - I owe you!

9:28 AM  
Blogger Sister Mary Lisa said...

I like when people surprise me with their goodness, too. :)

2:45 PM  

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