The kindness of strangers: the petrol station worker paid for my fuel and saved my date

admin

7 hours ago

‘On the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could.’Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian design/AlamyView image in fullscreen‘On the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could.’Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian design/AlamyKindness of strangersAustralian lifestyleThe kindness of strangers: the petrol station worker paid for my fuel and saved my dateWhen my card declined, I looked out at my new girlfriend and felt utter panic. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of moneyRead more in thekindness of strangersseriesLuke Scholes as told toKatie CunninghamSun 20 Apr 2025 17.00 CESTLast modified on Sun 20 Apr 2025 17.01 CESTShareIwas temporarily living in my home town of Wangaratta while caring for my grandmother, who had dementia. I got weekends off and on one of those occasions I met a girl called Marie. During that lovely early period of a new relationship where you’re still getting to know each other, I took her camping at Mount Buffalo in Victoria.On the way home we stopped in Myrtleford, a small town at the foot of the mountain, to get petrol. I fuelled up and Marie stayed in the car while I went inside to pay.I was in my early 20s at the time and wasn’t earning money because I’d been caring for my grandmother, so I deliberately put only $20 worth of petrol in the tank. But when I went to pay, my card was declined. This was a time before mobile phones, so I couldn’t call someone else to ask them to put money in my account. I’d have to ask Marie for the money, which I couldn’t face. I vividly remember looking out at her sitting in the car and feeling utter panic wash over me. I was trying to impress her – we weren’t yet a sealed deal. What was I going to do?The kindness of strangers: I was ready to leave the theatre in disgrace when a gentle usher made me an offerRead moreBehind the counter was a young fella, maybe a couple of years younger than me. He just had this incredible read on the situation I was in. Very quickly, without any fuss, he went and got his backpack, took out his wallet and said, “Mate, I’ll pay for the fuel. When you get the money, just post it back to me care of the petrol station.”Of course, I politely declined and said I couldn’t possibly take his money. But he insisted, saying he understood that sometimes this happens. He seemed to have a wisdom beyond his years.When I got back in the car, I said nothing to Marie – the shame was real. But on the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could, and I did. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of money, as it does when you’re young. The cashier was probably working there part-time while finishing school, so I’m sure it was a lot of money for him too.In the years after, whenever I was in the area, I always drove past that petrol station hoping to bump into him again. I never did. But it was a lovely bit of male-to-male camaraderie for this fella to surmise the situation and want to save me that embarrassment. There was this mutual understanding between us of the horror of my predicament.For him to so generously offer me that money had a big impact on me, and made me want to be a better person. I’m still touched and amazed by it.What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?Share your experienceWhat’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see ourterms of serviceandprivacy policy.Tell us hereYour responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use ourSecureDropservice instead.What is your name?Where do you live (city, state and country)?Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?Where and when did this encounter take place?Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information onlyAre you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNoWhat is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.SubmitShow moreIf you’re having trouble using the form clickhere.Read terms of servicehereand privacy policyhereExplore more on these topicsAustralian lifestyleKindness of strangersfeaturesShareReuse this content

‘On the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could.’Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian design/AlamyView image in fullscreen

‘On the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could.’Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian design/Alamy

Kindness of strangersAustralian lifestyle

The kindness of strangers: the petrol station worker paid for my fuel and saved my date

When my card declined, I looked out at my new girlfriend and felt utter panic. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of moneyRead more in thekindness of strangersseries

When my card declined, I looked out at my new girlfriend and felt utter panic. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of money

Read more in thekindness of strangersseries

Luke Scholes as told toKatie CunninghamSun 20 Apr 2025 17.00 CESTLast modified on Sun 20 Apr 2025 17.01 CESTShare

Luke Scholes as told toKatie CunninghamSun 20 Apr 2025 17.00 CESTLast modified on Sun 20 Apr 2025 17.01 CEST

Luke Scholes as told toKatie Cunningham

Iwas temporarily living in my home town of Wangaratta while caring for my grandmother, who had dementia. I got weekends off and on one of those occasions I met a girl called Marie. During that lovely early period of a new relationship where you’re still getting to know each other, I took her camping at Mount Buffalo in Victoria.On the way home we stopped in Myrtleford, a small town at the foot of the mountain, to get petrol. I fuelled up and Marie stayed in the car while I went inside to pay.I was in my early 20s at the time and wasn’t earning money because I’d been caring for my grandmother, so I deliberately put only $20 worth of petrol in the tank. But when I went to pay, my card was declined. This was a time before mobile phones, so I couldn’t call someone else to ask them to put money in my account. I’d have to ask Marie for the money, which I couldn’t face. I vividly remember looking out at her sitting in the car and feeling utter panic wash over me. I was trying to impress her – we weren’t yet a sealed deal. What was I going to do?The kindness of strangers: I was ready to leave the theatre in disgrace when a gentle usher made me an offerRead moreBehind the counter was a young fella, maybe a couple of years younger than me. He just had this incredible read on the situation I was in. Very quickly, without any fuss, he went and got his backpack, took out his wallet and said, “Mate, I’ll pay for the fuel. When you get the money, just post it back to me care of the petrol station.”Of course, I politely declined and said I couldn’t possibly take his money. But he insisted, saying he understood that sometimes this happens. He seemed to have a wisdom beyond his years.When I got back in the car, I said nothing to Marie – the shame was real. But on the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could, and I did. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of money, as it does when you’re young. The cashier was probably working there part-time while finishing school, so I’m sure it was a lot of money for him too.In the years after, whenever I was in the area, I always drove past that petrol station hoping to bump into him again. I never did. But it was a lovely bit of male-to-male camaraderie for this fella to surmise the situation and want to save me that embarrassment. There was this mutual understanding between us of the horror of my predicament.For him to so generously offer me that money had a big impact on me, and made me want to be a better person. I’m still touched and amazed by it.What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?Share your experienceWhat’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see ourterms of serviceandprivacy policy.Tell us hereYour responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use ourSecureDropservice instead.What is your name?Where do you live (city, state and country)?Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?Where and when did this encounter take place?Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information onlyAre you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNoWhat is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.SubmitShow moreIf you’re having trouble using the form clickhere.Read terms of servicehereand privacy policyhereExplore more on these topicsAustralian lifestyleKindness of strangersfeaturesShareReuse this content

On the way home we stopped in Myrtleford, a small town at the foot of the mountain, to get petrol. I fuelled up and Marie stayed in the car while I went inside to pay.

I was in my early 20s at the time and wasn’t earning money because I’d been caring for my grandmother, so I deliberately put only $20 worth of petrol in the tank. But when I went to pay, my card was declined. This was a time before mobile phones, so I couldn’t call someone else to ask them to put money in my account. I’d have to ask Marie for the money, which I couldn’t face. I vividly remember looking out at her sitting in the car and feeling utter panic wash over me. I was trying to impress her – we weren’t yet a sealed deal. What was I going to do?

The kindness of strangers: I was ready to leave the theatre in disgrace when a gentle usher made me an offerRead more

The kindness of strangers: I was ready to leave the theatre in disgrace when a gentle usher made me an offer

Behind the counter was a young fella, maybe a couple of years younger than me. He just had this incredible read on the situation I was in. Very quickly, without any fuss, he went and got his backpack, took out his wallet and said, “Mate, I’ll pay for the fuel. When you get the money, just post it back to me care of the petrol station.”

Of course, I politely declined and said I couldn’t possibly take his money. But he insisted, saying he understood that sometimes this happens. He seemed to have a wisdom beyond his years.

When I got back in the car, I said nothing to Marie – the shame was real. But on the drive home I silently committed to getting that $20 back to him as soon as I could, and I did. Back then, $20 felt like a huge amount of money, as it does when you’re young. The cashier was probably working there part-time while finishing school, so I’m sure it was a lot of money for him too.

In the years after, whenever I was in the area, I always drove past that petrol station hoping to bump into him again. I never did. But it was a lovely bit of male-to-male camaraderie for this fella to surmise the situation and want to save me that embarrassment. There was this mutual understanding between us of the horror of my predicament.

For him to so generously offer me that money had a big impact on me, and made me want to be a better person. I’m still touched and amazed by it.

What is the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

Share your experienceWhat’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see ourterms of serviceandprivacy policy.Tell us hereYour responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use ourSecureDropservice instead.What is your name?Where do you live (city, state and country)?Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?Where and when did this encounter take place?Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information onlyAre you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNoWhat is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.SubmitShow more

Share your experience

What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see ourterms of serviceandprivacy policy.

From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.

Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see ourterms of serviceandprivacy policy.

Tell us hereYour responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use ourSecureDropservice instead.What is your name?Where do you live (city, state and country)?Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?Where and when did this encounter take place?Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information onlyAre you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNoWhat is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.Submit

Tell us here

Your responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use ourSecureDropservice instead.What is your name?Where do you live (city, state and country)?Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?Where and when did this encounter take place?Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information onlyAre you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNoWhat is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.Submit

What is your name?

Where do you live (city, state and country)?

Tell us a bit about the kind act you’ve experienced?

Where and when did this encounter take place?

Can we publish your response?Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information only

Can we publish your response?

Yes, entirelyYes, but contact me firstYes, but please keep me anonymousNo, this is information only

Yes, entirely

Yes, but contact me first

Yes, but please keep me anonymous

No, this is information only

Are you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?YesNo

Are you comfortable with a journalist contacting you about this story for potential publication?

YesNo

Yes

What is your phone number?OptionalYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.

What is your phone number?Optional

Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.

What is your email addressYour contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.

What is your email address

Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.

By submitting your response, you are agreeing to share your details with us for this feature.

Submit

If you’re having trouble using the form clickhere.Read terms of servicehereand privacy policyhere

Explore more on these topicsAustralian lifestyleKindness of strangersfeaturesShareReuse this content

Australian lifestyleKindness of strangersfeatures

Australian lifestyle

Kindness of strangers

features

ShareReuse this content

Reuse this content

Related posts: