I apologize for neglecting my blog. I was on vacation earlier this month and spent most of this week catching up on other things here at work. I’ll restart with one of my favorite subjects: “Did I do the right thing?”
I pulled into the drive thru at one of several Dunkin Donuts that I frequent on a recent night and ordered a large regular coffee. As I started toward the window, I reached down into the console for the small wallet I carry my debit card in and noticed it wasn’t there. Stopping about half way to the window, I reached into my pockets and then checked to make sure the wallet hadn’t slipped between the console and the seat or onto the floor. It took another few seconds to realize I also had no cash and way less than a dollar in change. Feeling embarrassed that I couldn’t pay for the coffee I ordered, I briefly considered pulling away but realized that would be rude to the teen-ager who had just taken my order. So I drove up, rolled down my window and sheepishly admitted that I left my debit card at home. It was kind of rolling stop because I wanted to pull away quickly. Before I could rush off he said: “No problem. Take the coffee anyway.”
I was surprised because in world of franchises and big box stores, employees and customers don’t often get to know each other. Giving away something for free is usually done by an employee who recognizes a regular customer. Even though I go to Dunkin Donuts three or four times a week, I visit different outlets at different times and can’t say I’ve gotten to know any of the staff.
I don’t like to accept things I can’t pay for, but he had a big smile on his face and it seemed he really wanted me to take the coffee so I figured I’d compromise. “I live a couple of miles from here so I’ll come back and pay.”
He replied: “You don’t need to. Just enjoy your coffee and have a nice night.”
I took the coffee, thanked him and didn’t return.
It seems like a small thing, but my gut tells me I should have returned to pay or the next time I go to that branch offer to pay.
Did I do the right thing in accepting the freebie?
Let me know what you think.
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7 comments:
It was fine that you accepted the coffee, but I would go back the next time you get coffee from the same location and pay. It was very understanding of the worker, and Dunkin' Donuts certainly won't go bankrupt without your paying for one cup. However, I think the right thing to do would be to pay for the cup when you go back and buy another. It would be great if you get the same worker so that he/she will see that you really are an honest guy.
Eh don't worry about it. A similar thing happened to me at Starbucks (on the very rare occasion I go). I went to pay but the girl just told me to forget it. It might have been some sort of karmic good deed. Accept what is given and move on. I never feel bad for chains especially if I am a regular customer. Dunkin' has "free iced coffee day" so consider it an added bonus.
It was a nice thing for that teenager to do. I believe in Karma, so the next time your at a Dunkin Donuts pay for the coffee the person in the car behind you ordered. The only one who will know is you and the driver, which should make he or she have a better day! One good turn deserves another...
"the next time (you're) at a Dunkin Donuts pay for the coffee the person in the car behind you ordered"
This happens a lot believe it or not (these are three different examples):
Coffee customers "pay it forward" by paying for those behind - http://tinyurl.com/36n2te
Coffee customers pay it forward - http://tinyurl.com/mqovpd
53 People 'Pay It Forward' At Iowa Coffee Shop - http://tinyurl.com/6og78q
I love the idea of the whole thing and this is not to suggest that it couldn't happen here but this is the Northeast; there are many more folks here that are all about "me" so it would make me wonder if it would "take" here if someone started it or if someone would simply be quick to take advantage of a free coffee all for themselves and move along instead of passing along the good will.
How do you feel when you do something kind and unexpected like that? Just appreciate it and like others said do a kind and unexpected act of kindness for another person.
I agreed with you August 6, 2009 7:57 AM and I do this myself but the point I was asking is I wonder how many of "us" there are up here in the "me" Northeast that would do just as you suggested.
I travel all over the country and I see people everywhere - the toughest and most selfish all seem to be here.
This is not to suggest there are not many, many well natured and good hearted folks (and I actually suggest the opposite) but I often wonder, for the density of the population of this geographic area from Boston to Washington DC why there isn’t more of these little acts that make someone’s day.
I speculate that when you look at the percentages of how many people do random acts of kindness for no reason in more sparsely populated areas of the country you may find that they do better than we do when we have population and additional resources at quick and easy access more readily at our disposal.
I could be wrong and be so happily but I also assume that if I were to head out to Dunkin Donuts this morning (which I never do – I drink mine for pennies at home) and were to buy a coffee for a person in line behind me that the Record Journal wouldn’t be writing a story about how long the “pay it forward” effort lasted because I figure someone would just take their free coffee, even after hearing about the intent of paying for the next person, and just leave and kill the line.
That is because often times that is the personality of some of the folks here and it is often enough (but not always) to dampen the spirits and the goodwill of others.
Well Jason, I will stick up for those in the North East a bit. I know that for years, until EZPass came along, I would pay for the car behind me at fixed price tolls. I would try to maneuver in front (carefully!) to pay for a car with a family in it or an elderly couple. If someone is short at a register in Dunkin' Donuts I have thrown int he dollar or two to even things up. I am a big believer in what you do comes back to you someway.
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