SINGAPORE: Singaporeans took to an online forum on Sunday (Feb 23) to share random acts of kindness they have received from strangers. From letting someone go ahead in a queue at the grocery to sharing an umbrella with a random pedestrian, the experiences shared in the comments section of the post are sure to restore people’s faith in humanity.
“What are little acts of kindness that go a long way in Singapore?” the post read. “Not so much giving up your seat for the elderly type of kindness. But something more interpersonal and impactful.”
The writer shared a heartwarming interaction he witnessed in a fast-food restaurant. “There was a foreign couple who were confused about the shaker fry bags…they were struggling with it,” he said. “Seated next to them was a Singaporean family. The dad saw it and offered to help them, he even started shaking his fries bag first so the couple didn’t feel embarrassed or awkward to do it. It was a small act of kindness but I think it saved the couple from feeling really awkward and out of place. Loved that they ended up dining together with the kids as well.”
Many online users took to the comments section to share their own experiences with people’s random acts of kindness. From a grown man being shocked to have an auntie shield him with her umbrella as he was at a traffic light under the sun to an individual with a bad leg being surprised that a couple at a supermarket let him go first in the queue, the stories told recalled humanity’s inherent goodness.
“I was having lunch alone in the Kopitiam when some aunty suddenly sat at my table, at the seat directly opposite me,” shared one. “My initial reaction was to wonder why she would do so when there were so many empty tables around and she looked like the fierce ‘entitled Karen’ sort. Then she told me that she was sitting at another table but moved when she saw an older man trying to stare up my skirt because I wasn’t crossing my legs. She sat there to block his view and told me to be careful. Really thankful for her.”
“Many years ago, my mum and I overbought groceries and were clearly struggling with too many bags when walking home,” shared another. “A man helped us carry some. I definitely remember until today.”
The heartwarming anecdotes that were shared in response to the post highlighted the quiet yet profound ways kindness thrives in everyday life in Singapore. While grand gestures often make headlines, it is these small, thoughtful acts that truly shape a culture of compassion. From shielding strangers from the sun to ensuring someone’s comfort in a public space, these simple moments serve as reminders that kindness doesn’t always require effort—just a willingness to look out for one another.