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One of the few old chaps in today’s age

(24 Posts)
Cath9 Sat 02-May-26 18:38:27

Today, while exiting Morrisons Food Store an old chap came up to me with his wallet in his hands remarking;
‘I like to cheer people up so would you like me to buy you some flowers?’
At first I thought he was joking but when hearing him chat I realised he meant it.
Although I didn’t take up his offer I thanked him adding;
‘ I hope I wasn’t looking sad when you mentioned that you like to cheer people up!’
This amused him so we did have a short chat. A rare kind old chap in today’s world

Wyllow3 Sat 02-May-26 18:43:27

Well it might have been a first move indicating interest (unless you had a wedding ring on)

But really how very gentle and nice an approach.

Cath9 Sat 02-May-26 19:16:33

I did have my wedding ring on. He was definitely not what one might say,
‘Trying it on.’ Just a dear old sole who obviously enjoyed bringing a smile to people’s faces.

Rocketstop2 Sat 02-May-26 19:19:59

I guess it's a sad fact of this world , or maybe of me but I confess I'd be thinking he might be a weirdo.
perhaps he should just have bought a couple of bunches and just randomly given them out if that's what he wanted to do.I'd be delighted to receive them in that instance, especially if I hadn't been 'Singled out'.

MissChateline Sat 02-May-26 19:44:02

I was with my daughter a while ago in a small supermarket. We were discussing buying a bunch of flowers and that they were expensive. But we took them and out shopping to the till. When we got there we were told that a young man had already paid for them. He had left so we couldn’t thank him.
Paying it forward,
I was in a supermarket in a very deprived area. A family with a daughter were counting their pennies and told the girl that she had to pay for the treats she wanted to take to school for her friends.
I happily paid for her items. I tried to depart quickly but the mum was in tears.

MawsRosie Sat 02-May-26 22:05:26

By “old chaps” do you mean “gentlemen” OP?
Plenty of old chaps around but not all as courteous and charming as this gentleman.

Wyllow3 Sat 02-May-26 22:27:44

True. There's creepy and grabbing types too.

paddyann54 Sat 02-May-26 23:18:46

There’s a love.y old man in my town who buys roses and gives ne to women and girls he meets on his walks.
He also gives them a wee card with a bit of information about his late wife who the flowers are in memory of .
He brings smiles to a lot of folk including tourists and isnt it nicer to give the roses to bring a bit of happiness rather than leave them to wither on her grave?7

Kate1949 Sat 02-May-26 23:26:49

My husband is 80. I never think of him as an 'old chap'.

Sarnia Sat 02-May-26 23:32:08

I hope he didn't come across anyone who would take advantage of him with his wallet out.

Delila Sat 02-May-26 23:33:47

MissChateline

I was with my daughter a while ago in a small supermarket. We were discussing buying a bunch of flowers and that they were expensive. But we took them and out shopping to the till. When we got there we were told that a young man had already paid for them. He had left so we couldn’t thank him.
Paying it forward,
I was in a supermarket in a very deprived area. A family with a daughter were counting their pennies and told the girl that she had to pay for the treats she wanted to take to school for her friends.
I happily paid for her items. I tried to depart quickly but the mum was in tears.

I love the idea of “paying it forward”.

nanna8 Sun 03-May-26 00:26:24

I once let a bloke into a car park space and took the next one after that. When I got back to the car there was a $20 note under the windscreen wipers. I assumed it was him but he had left by then. There are some nice people around.

Toetoe Sun 03-May-26 01:06:15

I waited quietly as the man in front packed his bags , the tub of ice cream was last to be scanned , he said he didn't have enough money to pay for it and could the staff member put it back . It was a hot day and without hesitation I said I'd love to buy it for him as ice cream tasted better when it's hot . So I did . No more words were needed just a smile between the cashier me and the shopper . It made my day

TheSunRisesInTheEast Sun 03-May-26 02:03:50

Random acts of kindness benefit both parties. It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice 😉.

HelterSkelter1 Sun 03-May-26 08:53:05

I love the paying of a child's sweets in a deprived area and allowing a car to park ahead.
But offering to buy flowers is a bit creepy/weird. And I would think I was looking very miserable if they were to "cheer me up". And if I were really unhappy I don't want flowers from a random "old chap". To be honest a young French man offering flowers would probably cheer me up no end, but highly unlikely

barmcake Sun 03-May-26 16:20:29

Were you wearing your leopard print mini skirt?

Cath9 Sun 03-May-26 17:52:31

I will try what some of you have experienced to see if the flowers I will buy gets paid by someone else!
He was definitely not a weirdo just a kind old chap coming from the days when this could often happen. He mentioned his mother came from Manchester where I found people I met had a kind manner.

JaneJudge Sun 03-May-26 18:00:17

TheSunRisesInTheEast

Random acts of kindness benefit both parties. It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice 😉.

smile

sixandahalf Sun 03-May-26 18:01:29

Bit fishy.

MissAdventure Sun 03-May-26 18:19:32

It probably gives him "an excuse," to talk to people.
Maybe he has nobody else and just wants a chat.
i think women are more inclined to strike up a chat out of thin air, but for an older gentleman it might be difficult

Oreo Sun 03-May-26 18:37:05

The other year a man younger than me bought some chocolate along with his other items then handed it to me saying ‘I got this for you’ 😃 that’s the only time ever that something like that happened to me.

Oreo Sun 03-May-26 18:39:09

The scenario the OP mentioned is trickier, I think that she answered well.

Cabbie21 Sun 03-May-26 21:09:22

On Friday at a friend’s house, she pointed to a lovely flower arrangement and told me that a delivery driver had given them to her, as the intended recipient was not there and wouldn’t be back for a few days, so he didn’t want them to go to waste.
A kind gesture.

butterandjam Sun 03-May-26 22:53:53

paddyann54

There’s a love.y old man in my town who buys roses and gives ne to women and girls he meets on his walks.
He also gives them a wee card with a bit of information about his late wife who the flowers are in memory of .
He brings smiles to a lot of folk including tourists and isnt it nicer to give the roses to bring a bit of happiness rather than leave them to wither on her grave?7

what a lovely way to remember her