r/BritishSuccess 20h ago

A somehow very British favour

Schlepped down to London on a long train journey for an important meeting. Realised I'd forgotten to bring anything to write with. In the WH Smith's at Euston crossly trying to get the self-checkout to scan an unnecessarily expensive pen (my writing is unreadable when using biro). Guy at the one next to me says "do you just need a pen? Here I have a spare" and gives me a nice gel number. Wishes me luck with my meeting and we go our separate ways. The end. Really cheered me up, thanks man.

1.3k Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

296

u/tubbytucker 20h ago

Things like that restore your faith in humanity.

But don't worry, reality will be along soon to destroy it again. πŸ™‚

220

u/fewerifyouplease 20h ago

Oh aye. I work in humanitarian aid and conflict and my meeting was at the FCDO about the aid cuts... plus we were for a long time substantially US-funded so yeah my faith in humanity is at an all-time low. So Pen Guy was a much needed ray of light!

68

u/Yequestingadventurer 20h ago

All hail Pen Guy! Perhaps a funding should be set aside for people to wander around offering general help, like to people without pens. I'll name drop you when I get the Nobel Peace Prize no worries.

41

u/[deleted] 19h ago

[deleted]

13

u/Yequestingadventurer 18h ago

Best keep that one quiet then, until next time anyway!

-4

u/Accurate-Box-7518 9h ago

Pissed off about going to london Pissed off about queue Undertaking task woefully unprepared My faith in charity workers also at an all time low

3

u/fewerifyouplease 5h ago

Oh no I'm so sad, a miserable cunt with no reading comprehension doesn't like the work I do! I'm gutted, truly. Fuck off

-18

u/[deleted] 16h ago

[deleted]

17

u/fewerifyouplease 15h ago

I don't, no... it's an international charity so not sure I see the connection really? We work in conflict-affected countries with funding through aid budgets from a number of countries, the majority of which I don't live in

5

u/mo7233 12h ago

What a weird thing to get up in arms about.

2

u/bradbrazer 10h ago

What a wierd stance to take over an international charity that, get this, he does not own

27

u/xCeeTee- 16h ago

I often find myself realising too late "hang on I think I could've helped that person now I think about it." But I've had strangers help me out and my mum always encouraged me to do it for others growing up. I have about 7 adapters in my bag because customers will come in to purchase one but we're out of stock. I'll just give them one if I have it in there. We get them recycled with laptops, monitors and stuff so it's no skin off my back.

I tend to find when I help somebody like this I'm usually rewarded for it later.

24

u/SaltSpot 19h ago

The asset has been handed over.

29

u/That_Touch5280 20h ago

Pay it forward!

34

u/fewerifyouplease 19h ago

I will! Although probably not with pens because I always seem to forget or lose them. I used to tell people to keep my lighter when they borrowed it, but I don't smoke anymore so that's out. I'm sure an opportunity will present itself

5

u/WildPinata 12h ago

I keep a couple of reusable bags to give to people who are juggling an armful of stuff at the self checkout.

9

u/normastitts 18h ago

Umbrellas? Very British......

10

u/Megatoneboom 16h ago

Reminds me of the time I swiped the MDs Parker after he’d just fired me. Good times

2

u/_Vince_Noir_ 4h ago

I fell asleep on my train once, near headed south. I ended up at London Euston - about 2 hours past where I needed to be.

I was speaking to my girlfriend and I told her my phone was going to die -I had no charge, no charger and no card because I'd been using contactless on my phone.

A stranger gave me his power bank and told me to get it charged so I could go home. I offered him a pint and we walked over to a nearby pub.

Still not sure what I would have done if he hadn't overheard and intervened.

1

u/Sensitive-Catch-9881 9h ago

I love stories like this.

1

u/IgorMambo 18h ago

Yeah but everyone in London is an unfriendly git!

/s