Let's Talk About "Pay it Forward"

[Bill]

The story about hundreds of people "paying it forward" at a Starbucks got me thinking. Exactly how does this work? If I am in line somewhere, and want to pay for the guy behind me, how do I know exactly what he is going to order? How do I know how much extra to leave for his order?

Now, once I have gotten over that hurdle, here's my next question.

If I am participating in this "chain" of paying it forward, then someone has bought my order, and I am buying the next guy's order. Assuming the orders are about the same price, then I haven't really done anything but pay for my order. I'm just getting a gold "participation" star for not accepting my free order, then leaving.

Discuss.

[DAB]

i pay for my own stuffs. if you want to pay for my pending ammo order, i'll send you a thank you note.

[Barn Babe]

I was wondering the same thing.


I've paid for the car ahead of me before, it was a Border Patrol car. He was very thankful. I've thought of paying for the car ahead of me often, but that's the only time I've done it.

[Bill]

i pay for my own stuffs. if you want to pay for my pending ammo order, i'll send you a thank you note.

I was at a McDonalds a few months ago, ordering lunch for my crew working nearby. They were having problems with their credit card machines, and, while I usually carry a few hundred $$ with me, I discovered I didn't have the cash on me to cover the order.

A woman behind me offered to pay for the order, saying "pay it forward." I refused, but thanked her for her offer. Went next door to Chick fil-a (sp) and had no issues paying for the order.

[NeedSpeed]

I made this same point on FB the other day. Pay it forward works, but not when done is this sheepish pattern.

[Steve Austin]

I made this same point on FB the other day. Pay it forward works, but not when done is this sheepish pattern.

I think this is a case where, its the thought that counts.:cert:

[Strats-N-Vettes]

PIF is not "how much for the guy behind me." or "somebody bought me coffee, I have to buy somebody else their coffee...."

Its not about the obligation, or the obligation to pay for somebody else.




Its all about being kind and helping somebody, no matter what shape or form the kindness comes in.
It just so happens a lot of good people are buying things for others.




but so are the "look at me" attention seekers....

or

"look at us and what we are reporting" news agencies.

[DAB]

the ice bucket thing, the day long PIF thing....all rooted in 'look at me'.

if you want to do what is right and just, just do it. in secret. only you have to know what you did.