Acts of Kindness Happening Around the World Right Now
In recent years, many people have struggled because of cancelled trips, closed schools, lost income, and long stretches away from loved ones. Restaurants shut down, college students found themselves stranded abroad, and families worried about running out of rent and groceries.
Amid those pressures, even today, strangers step in for one another. These actions were performed by ordinary people in markets, along rural highways, inside apartment buildings, and on city sidewalks.
Roadside Support on Ireland’s Ring of Kerry
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A stalled car along the Ring of Kerry could have left Becky Corbin without help for hours. The scenic route draws steady traffic, and no one is obligated to stop. Drivers slowed anyway and asked what she needed. Several people examined the car and offered practical suggestions. Corbin later wrote that she had never met kinder people.
An Invitation to a Marrakech Home
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Travelers often plan their evenings around public squares and well-known landmarks. Sonia Thai, however, was invited into a local family’s home in Marrakech. They hosted a dinner for her and later drove her through the city to show her Djemaa el Fna at night.
Nightly Applause
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Every evening at 7 p.m., one person in a Brooklyn neighborhood begins clapping. Others quickly join in, which creates a wave of sound across balconies and sidewalks. The applause recognizes doctors, nurses, mail carriers, and other essential workers. Similar gatherings have taken place in Italy, England, India, and Spain.
First Aid and Concern in Hualien
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One scooter accident in Hualien left Virginia Shaffer shaken and uncertain. The region attracts visitors en route to Taroko National Park and its steep gorges. Two Taiwanese women approached her after the crash and assessed her condition. They could not communicate clearly due to language differences, but their concern was clearly visible.
A Small Gift
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At a market in Cairns, a shop owner handed Rachel Tara’s son a toy turtle. The gesture was simple until he added a condition. It was decided that in exchange for the gift, the child needed to complete a kind act for someone else. Tara described the moment as memorable because it linked generosity with responsibility.
Improvised Repair
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If your car breaks down in the village of Lin, you will not find a service station or roadside assistance nearby. The setting is rural, and basic tools are not readily available. That is exactly where Magdalena Polikarska found herself with a flat tire. Some men approached and used a large rock to lift the vehicle and carved into the dirt road to steady it. Their practical teamwork got her safely back on the road.
A Timely Ride in Meteora
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Heavy rain can quickly turn a scenic visit into a safety concern. This was when Sara Betler realized she was trapped between buildings in Meteora during a sudden downpour. The towering rock formations and narrow paths also provided little shelter. A local man noticed her difficulty and offered a lift, then transported her to a safer location.
An Opera Serenade in Vernazza
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Cinque Terre draws couples and families with its coastal setting and footpaths linking five villages. During her honeymoon in Vernazza, Jenny Clauson mentioned her wedding songs while sitting in a café. The owner’s wife, who sings opera at a nearby church, began performing “O Mio Babbino Caro” and “Ave Maria” for the couple.
A Chauffeured Photo Stop in Paris
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You may have heard mixed opinions about hospitality in Paris. But Avril Houston experienced something different when two residents noticed her and her friend searching for the right angle to photograph the Eiffel Tower. Instead of giving directions, they drove them to a location known for the best view. Afterwards, they also dropped them at the Metro without expecting anything in return.
Shared Picnic in Istanbul
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Public parks in Istanbul are normally filled with families enjoying homemade meals. Yet, Kendall Fayle sat alone when a nearby family waved her over. They insisted she join them and share their salad. Turkish cuisine reflects layers of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Greek influence, and she experienced it firsthand through that meal.