An act of kindness made me feel old!

Him indoors fell over the other day. He was out by himself, coming home, when his knee just gave out and he went flat on his back. He's not a light person, to put it politely.
He was struggling to get up when another man stopped to help.
We laugh about it because this fella must've been in his 70s and was a fraction of the size, but he did a great job of helping HI up, and stayed to make sure he was alright (I bet he went home and cursed helping because his back hurt lol)! Him indoors is 57.
I think people are a bit more caring these days and we should all appreciate that, as well as help others!

When I was a child, many moons ago, I was taught to give up my seat to adults as a matter of course. They didn't;t have to be advance in years just an adult.

I had a similar experience to the OP. A few years ago a school boy (probably aged about 15) got up and offered me his seat on the bus. I graciously accepted. I felt simultaneously old and heart-warmed. It was the first time that had happened (I was in my early 60s). Haven’t been on a bus during the pandemic and have probably aged considerably during the past 2 years. So, next time I travel by bus, I’m expecting lots of kind young people to offer this ‘old lady’ their seat. Of course, I shall graciously accept

Maybe she thought you were pregnant??

I was limping as I left a local hospital yesterday and a young woman offered to carry my bag. I was so touched by her kindness. I was only going to sit and wait for my car so didn’t need her help but her thoughtfulness will stay with me for a long time.

A couple of years ago I met my family at the Science Museum i can't express how completely mortified I was when the well meaning girl in the foyer offered me a wheelchair .

I limp .

I ate my lunch like an automaton and to be honest it spoilt my visit .

At the start of the pandemic my vanity was well and truly shown up. Two of my neighbours kindly offered to get shopping for me and one of them said "Are you over 70?"
My thoughts at the time? " How can you think that's even possible? "
I was, but had sucked up and believed all those polite " but you don't look it " remarks.
I now gratefully receive any offers of seats and help and remember that moment each time.
The first time anyone offers you a seat is always hard to take.

nadateturbe

I feel like that when drivers stop to let me cross the road.
I always think, I must look old.

Orkney drivers tend to slow down if they feel anyone, young or not might be thinking of crossing the road especially on the approach to a zebra crossing. That often reminds me that "Yes, I did mean to got to the library or the shop on the other side It's a lovely example of consideration of others and one of the many reasons we live here!

I had a very good friend and neighbour who sadly died suddenly in Jan, she was in her 80's, very independent, but in the past 2 years she slowed down considerably, when going for the bus to the shops, if the bus was coming up behind her and she didn't think she'd make it to the bus stop, she used to stick her hand our with her bus pass in it, and amazingly some (not all) bus drivers stopped for her. Well since she died I have taken a leaf out of her book and done the same thing, and lo and behold the drivers have stopped, some at the bus stop, but they have waited for me to catch up, I have thanked every one while getting on the bus and again when getting off. I never thought I would have trouble "putting a spurt on" to get to the bus stop, but age creeps up on us at different times in our lives, and I for one am thankful for good manners in a younger (much younger than me!) generation.

I don't use public transport a lot, but people often help to put my case in the overhead lockers on planes, as I'm only 5ft tall. When retrieving my luggage from the carousel I often co-opt a brawny young man to catch my suitcase for me, and haul it off the conveyer. They are always very obliging.
A friend and I were discussing how you should never haul someone to their feet, if they have fallen, but check that they haven't done any damage first. A few minutes later my foot went over the edge of the kerb and I overbalanced. No harm done, apart from a grazed elbow, but a lady immediately rushed over and tried to heave me up. She was surprised when we both burst out laughing.
If anyone offers assistance I usually accept it gratefully.

It's so nice when someone does an act of kindness for you no matter what age you are....I'm 64 today and I honestly love being this age....I'm retired and go at my own pace through life....Love it...

I think that it's extremely ungracious to refuse a kind offer, especially if it's just our vanity that's dented. A young girl offered me a seat on the last time I travelled by tube for work. Whichever way you looked at it I was far older than her and a quick glance around the carriage confirmed that I was indeed the oldest person present. Comes to us all, well the lucky ones I guess.

I am a mobility scooter user and am often amazed by the kindness of fellow shoppers, asking if I need a hand and drivers who stop for me to cross the road. Whether it's because I look old or am disabled matters not a jot, it's just very comforting to know that there is so much kindness out there.
One day last week as I was passing a bus stop, a little girl waiting for the bus with her parents shouted " Hello old Nan! "
I shouted hello back and carried on with a smile. A few years ago, I would have been horrified but now I just think it's nice to be noticed!

What a lovely gesture Foxglove, as was your response to her.
It does make us feel old though doesn't it. My husband would still give up his seat for women who are probably twenty years younger than he is. Hard when we realise they'd give up their seat for us.

I have, on occasion, asked for help - I find most people are glad to do so. Imagine if you offered a helping hand to someone and they turned you down ungraciously, and how that make you feel. What I really cannot stand is being talked to in a patronising manner as if I have reverted to being 3 years old - that stage is yet to come, as I keep telling my children.

What a lovely gesture from a young girl, i wouldnt be bothered who did what in an act of kindness, the fact it was shown to me would warm my heart and make my day.

I now need a stick to walk about but it does not stop me from showing others an act if kindness, stick or no stick.

Some years ago I was on the metro in St Petersburg; I'd only just stepped into the full carriage when a Russian mother got her daughter to give me her seat; not sure that would have happened on the Tube. I always accept offers of help, I feel it's churlish to do otherwise.

I do now try to accept graciously. I feel if someone has been kind enough to offer me a seat the least I can do is accept and say thank you. I think sometimes we are taken a bit by surprise and tend to say no , I'm fine thanks. I have on occasion not accepted and felt very ungrateful afterwards. Then it's too late to apologise .

A few years ago, due to an eyesight problem, my husband fell down some steps at the tube. Two young women exclaimed "oh no the old man has fallen" he said he has never jumped up so quickly lol

Just think how well her parents have raised her and what a nice gesture it was. Young folk see people over 40 old ?

My DH and I seem to have reached that age where younger folk offer help and assistance. It’s only started happening recently, and, I must admit to finding it slightly amusing.

In McDonald’s the Lobby Hostess helped me to negotiate the electronic menu/order system. I’ve used it many times before unaided, but she genuinely wanted to help so I let her. She probably thought this poor old fogie didn’t understand such modern things, bless her.

Loading three 50 litre bags of compost (3 for £12, not a bad price we didn’t think) into his trolley at Asda yesterday a young man came up to DH and offered to help, which was kind.

It’s a strange feeling I must say.

Sorry it made you feel older, but how kind and polite. Even if you look superb for your age - to her you are older and she showed consideration.

How nice to hear that the good manners we were taught as youngsters have obviously been taught to the two generations that have followed us.

Courteous gestures of this type don't make me feel old. The only time I did feel old was when I heard a nurse in the gynae surgical ward say of me to a young mother, "I must run now, I have promised to help an elderly lady with her bag."

68 at the time I felt a bit miffed as the nurse speaking was only around 50 herself, but obviously the young mother she was speaking to would definately consider a woman my age elderly.

This has happened to me on the tube, occasionally young women/girls but mostly it's been young foreign men. Used to make me feel very old too but now just happy there are some well brought up young people around.

It doesn't matter how old or young you are, an act of kindness is a wonderful thing. Be thankful. Take care