Forum Support Popular Post Mike J Posted January 6, 2016 Forum Support Popular Post Posted January 6, 2016 Yesterday I went to the local Gaisano mall here in Moalboal to buy a new computer monitor and some small speakers. They did the usual open the box, plug in test, fill out the warranty, etc that we are all familiar with. I was waiting at the island type checkout counter several meters away while they repacked everything. A man standing on the adjacent side of the counter was holding his baby girl. Like all Filipina babies she was cute as could be. The little girl spotted some small boxed dolls on the counter and picked it up with a smile. The man let her hold it, then put it back on the counter. Oh my, sad face and tears while reaching back for the little box. He walks a little distance away and I think he is hoping "out of site, out of mind". When he steps away, I do a quick check on the price, it is only 69 peso. He returns with his wife and they are now both trying to convince the baby that she can hold the doll, but has to put it back. I extend 100 peso to the mother and say I would like her to buy the doll. Both parents smile but say no, and I ask a second time with the same response. I then say I would like to buy the doll as a present from me to the baby and they agree this time. They hand the box to the little girl, she is smiling now as she starts to chew on the box like babies do. When I look up I see that the four cashiers, two people packing the monitor, and several other floor employees are looking at me and the baby. Every one of them has a HUGE smile on their face. A good reminder that as expats our actions, both positive and negative, seem to attract attention from those around us. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted January 6, 2016 Forum Support Posted January 6, 2016 Well done Sir! :cheersty: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoMac Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 Hi Mike J, You say 'Accidental Ambassador'. I say 'spontaneous act of kindness' or 'random act of kindness' if you will. Anyway, ain't it a thing of beauty when we occasionally surprise ourselves with spontaneous outbursts of life-affirming, nurturing benevolence. Across the Pacific Ocean I extend my hand . . . to shake the hand of my hero of today (all day). Well done mate. Ron M. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Peterson Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 I came across this and thought it Fitting :thumbsup: Jack :) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris49 Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 A good reminder that as expats our actions, both positive and negative, seem to attract attention from those around us. Nice gesture Mike. Nice to direct it to the child. and nice the parents responded positively. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonjack2847 Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 A good reminder that as expats our actions, both positive and negative, seem to attract attention from those around us. Nice gesture Mike. Nice to direct it to the child. and nice the parents responded positively. Well chris luckily they responded positively This is a 2 way topic where I can see that if you came to my daughter and offered her an ice cream when I had said no I wont be happy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoMac Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 A good reminder that as expats our actions, both positive and negative, seem to attract attention from those around us. Nice gesture Mike. Nice to direct it to the child. and nice the parents responded positively. Well chris luckily they responded positively This is a 2 way topic where I can see that if you came to my daughter and offered her an ice cream when I had said no I wont be happy. I was compelled to read again how Mike J described the event exactly. On Mike's first 2 attempts to channel Santa C. (it was still technically Christmas after all), both parents smiled but declined. But our Santa doesn't easily take 'No' for an answer and offers yet again to buy the inexpensive doll as a present for the baby. Appraising the situation, the parents must have concluded that the fair-complexioned stranger really had no nefarious ulterior motive in offering as he did . . . and guess what - kindness (bilateral) wins out in this fleeting encounter. By relenting and overcoming the default impulse to be aloof, the parents graciously (but with dented pride likely) gave Mike leave to make the baby's day. One very small gesture perhaps . . . but one that must have resonated profoundly with a number of eyewitnesses. You have to believe that such unscripted / spontaneous undertakings, no matter how seemingly trivial, by any expat anywhere in the country, is bound to enhance their collective local standing, imperceptively perhaps . . . but surely. This is my take and I'm sticking with it. Ron M. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Popular Post Mike J Posted January 7, 2016 Author Forum Support Popular Post Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks Ron. Part of the Philippine culture is that when gifts or food is offered, the standard answer seems to be no. It is expected that if the giver is serious he/she will offer the same a total of three times. I have seen this a number of times even when both the giver and receiver were both Filipinos. You see it a lot when a visitor just happens to show up at meal time. :) Chris, I did not and would not offer a child a gift, other than through a parent or guardian. The offer was made to the parents to buy the doll for the girl. The third time I modified the request and requested that I be allowed to present a gift from me to the baby. Even then, the doll went from my hand, to the mothers, then to the baby. I believed then, and still believe now, that the parents first said no out politeness/culture. Also the baby was safe in her father's arms, in a very public place, and too young to talk. Certainly she was too young to understand that a stranger was buying her a gift. This was a "win win" for baby, parents, myself, and those who were able to watch a baby go from "frowning face" to "happy baby". Yes we need to be careful and use common sense if we choose to be nice to children, but let us not be so cautious that we become fearful of bringing a little joy into their lives. As an aside my wife and I have a ministry here in the Philippines called "Blessings of Hope". My wife spends each Saturday to "Reach, Teach, and Feed" local poor children (330 + at last count) and tell them about Jesus. We also have sponsored a number of students from poor families. The goal for the students being to keep them in school and hopefully giving them the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. I do not go on the Saturday outings because I want the attention to be focused on the goodness of Jesus, not on some kano who brought food. :lol: Blessings, Mike 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Mike J Posted January 7, 2016 Author Forum Support Posted January 7, 2016 I have read the posts again and realize that my last post should have been addressed to sonjack. My sincere apologies to Chris. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I have read the posts again and realize that my last post should have been addressed to sonjack. My sincere apologies to Chris. Hello Mike J, Such a noble cause coming from a heart of gold. Well done, my friend! Respectfully -- Jake 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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