Kindness of strangers shows goodness in humanity

Most people are good. I truly believe that; I’ve lived many years and have had many experiences, even some worldwide, that make me to sincerely believe that.

I believe most often you receive in kind: A lot of good comes back. We get what we give for the most part. Yes, I realize many readers will think I’m naïve since they read about the bad things cited by the media. I realize there are exceptions; they make good news copy, but the old adage is true: Exceptions only go to prove the rule.

Most all people are good and deserve good treatment. How many? I’d say at least 95 percent. Wouldn’t stockbrokers like to have odds like that?

Perhaps, I’ve been unbelievably lucky. I certainly have been lucky in many ways. Had an around the world trip, one to Australia and New Zealand, one to Europe, one to Iceland and Greenland, a summer in Alaska and so on.

We didn’t travel first class, lodged in Mom and Pop’s, and ate in low cost restaurants or bag lunches, so they weren’t hoity-toity first-class trips. But we were treated kindly, helpfully when we needed it, and needed, a lot, being in several other than English speaking countries.

I could cite many, many examples but they would become boring and this essay would be way too long. So I’ll limit to the following three:

In Tokyo when we were flustered and needy, a man who spoke English came by offering to help. We were having trouble following his directions and he took us out of the airport and walked a couple blocks pointing out where we could be helped.

In Taiwan, three sisters from Bangkok hearing we were heading for Bangkok on a certain day, asked if we had reservations. They said that was a most busy time, and we would have housing problems. She said she’d reserve a room at a hotel she knew, which she did. There were goodies in the room when we arrived and a friend of theirs came by the next day and gave us a full day guided tour.

In Rome, a fellow went a couple blocks out of his way to help us find a shoe hospital and this list could go on and on ad nauseam.

We were flabbergasted by exceedingly kind treatment we received and not one time did anyone take advantage of us.

On the other hand, maybe, we should be expecting good from our fellow humankind. There are more articles recently, or so it seems to me, reporting good things that people do: Buying something for them when they didn’t have enough, returning something valuable that was found, doing a good deed for someone, and that list goes on.

And isn’t it lucky so many people are good? Even receiving good advice is wonderful. During the 20 years I lived in Montana, I picked up some cowboy humor advice that fits the bill too, so in conclusion:

Never slap a man whos’s chewin’ tobacco.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

Lettin’ the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier’ n putting it back.

If you are ridin’ ahead of the herd, look back every now and then to make sure they are still there.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net.

Tags: community, seniors, columns