[Very Happy Phil]

wow

some top ideas! love them! e.g.

see money on ground and leave it

talk to strangers. especially old people. (id recommend keepin topics positive where possible!)

give compliments

give away chocolate, coffee, flowers, books or cash!

like to 10p sweet mix idea!

free clicks

love FREE HUGS idea! (done this a couple of times)

leave random notes e.g. i like dani's ;

your life is wonderful!

Everyday is a gift to those who believe that everyday is a gift.
-Robert Holden

i posted on my office a few years ago in Australia. it said 'TODAY WILL BE WONDERFUL'

i think it worked too!

finally i read about the producer/writer of 'The Secret' who followed an abundance exercise and gave away $500 to random people in the street! Soon after a lot of money came her way.

Ive not done this yet!

'The power of nice', 'change the world for a tenner' and 'chicken soup for the soul' all have other examples (the later is a very nice random present and one of my favourite books of all time!)

Finally, how about Radom acts of kindness to your friends, family and Joinees!

Givers gain.

But so do helpers. In my opinion it can sometimes be nice/kind to ASK for help from someone because it gives that person the opportunity to help you and feel good.

Have a happy day!

love & hug

Very Happy Phil HUGS (No PhD or DOC)


Author, 'Winning Mentality' and out soon 'Eat a banana! And other ways to boost your happiness'

PS Get my free weekly email on ways to boost HAPPINESS;
http://www.veryhappyphil.com

"Very Happy People spend time doing things they love to do, which makes them happy!"

–Very Happy Phil HUGS (No PhD or DOC)

[Very Happy Phil]

FYI

in uk book is called 'change the world for a fiver' and in OZ '...for a tenner'

ive thought of some more to add to the list RAOK;
a thank you letter to someone who has made a difference in your life
make card
postcard
give neighbours your phone number with a note 'if you ever need any help let me know' (from above book
listen, really listen, when someone speaks (paraphrase what they said)
freecycle.org give away stuff you dont need
share and swap a joke with a friend everyday

REMEMBER

If you cant be nice, be as nice as you can!

[Joinee Syms (Nicola)]

Wow, there are some great ideas here - I have been struggling with the "randomness" of my RAOKs so I have been inspired by this post! 10p mixes and book tokens I especially liked!

I saw a few people mentioning websites and blogs... I use the mammogram one myself, but anyway, wanted to add another to the list. My friend's partner had his second kidney transplant last year and she kept a blog about their experiences leading up to this. Apparently if people comment on the blog, she gets money towards a book she wants to make to help young kidney trasnplant patients... it would be wonderful if suddenly she got a whole load of comments from strangers... it' really make her day! The address is http://scroub.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

[JetBlack]

I was in a fried chicken shop buying lunch and waiting for my order when two young kids came in out of the pouring rain, dripping wet, and ordered something for £1.99 each. They asked if they could get a milkshake for an extra 30p and were told "No, only with a meal". So I gave them the amount needed for them to get a milkshake each. They didn't want to take it first, but did when I said it was my good deed. I said they could "pass it on" by doing good deeds too, suggesting opening doors, etc (ie not necessarily involving money). Their faces were a picture!

[saul]

KatBod, on 10 Aug 2007, 03:34 PM, said:

Ooooh I like that one! That's lovely!

That was so lovely. I am in Miami away from my family and reading that has made me so miss home and everything.....
Top thing to do, am filling up a little bit; all i do is give all my rubbish chat to tramps!

[Vicki]

People moan and complain when they get poor service so I like to go out of my way and inforn someones boss if they've done a good job

Vx

[Suzie]

Today I put all the shopping away without being asked and did some of my dad's ironing. My mum was so surprised!

[Joinee Yeebles]

Buy a homeless person or Big Issue seller something to eat at lunch time. Sometimes they can't afford to leave their places and a few £ isn't much to spend on something that will provide them wit a lot of satisfaction!!

[Mr Phil]

Souper Joinee Jo, on 16 Sep 2007, 01:32 PM, said:

I always like buying 10p sweet mix-ups and giving them to bank tellers. They always look so bored - then so cheery post sweeties!

My favourite version of this is buying chocolate money, then queuing up with everyone else, then going to the next available cashier, say "Hello, I'd like you to deposit these in your belly," and then grin and walk away. So much fun.

Also, to add from the thread I started:

Write to your MP or council about something you care about.
These links might help: http://www.writetothem.com/ http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

[Socially Awkward Woman]

I second all suggestions to talk to people working in shops. I've done a 6 and a half hour shift at the ice-cream parlour/cafe where I work, it's been hectic, but it was really nice to hear someone make poite conversation about the weather or crack a joke.
Also, I think tipping at 'poor' cafes is a good idea (by poor I mean the ones with the sticky tables and bright pink plastic chairs), because wages aren't very high, tips are shared out between all staff members, and people only really complain. People only seem to think that tipping at restaurants or posh cafes is okay, but it would be such a morale boost if a decent tip was left - instead of the 10p pieces we get left.

[drain slug]

joinee lamppost, on 2 Nov 2007, 07:45 PM, said:

im guving glow sticks a way at gigs
only cost a pound and the greatly named pound land for 25 of the little things
but we all love glow sticks dont we

yeah! i did that in nottingham once, some poeple looked so weirded out and stuff =D but some looked so happy and it was kinda like karma cus on the bus we met loadsa really nice people =D (was before i knew about join me, and i'm not an official member yet, must get round to that =D)

EDIT "My favourite version of this is buying chocolate money, then queuing up with everyone else, then going to the next available cashier, say "Hello, I'd like you to deposit these in your belly," and then grin and walk away. So much fun." ha ha thats so kewl and cheap, as most of my pocket money goes on getting places, but will definatly do that!!! thanks!

This post has been edited by drain slug: 12 June 2008 - 04:57 PM

[Joinee Mum White]

Ooh, yes. Do join. It's lovely. Welcome, by the way. I don't think I've seen you, to say hello to in the New Joinees thread, so I'll say it here. Do come in and make yourself at home. Mum White.

[xdaydream_anonymousx]

yestrday & today me and my mate decided to give out ice lollies to random people on the tube & stuff who looked hot & stressed to make them happy
they were only like 10 4 a £1 but couldnt spend 2 much as they melt welll quick
anywyz made us feel good when people were well happy to get one but quite a few were like no how rude?! lol i wouldnt say no if someone offered but i guess kind of random o well
nice to make people

[drain slug]

me and my girlfriend got some cookies the other day and we gave them to people. they looked so happy even when they said no, just cus we were a couple of teenagers who looked a bit 'gothic' tee hee cookies! love this forum its so friendly!

[Joinee Neighbok]

I feel very impressed with myself lol, having only just joined this forum and join me in general I was looking for RAoKs and according to this forum I do most of this every day! Having worked in retail I think there is nothing more important then making genuine chit chat with the operators. As for complimenting good work I realised a couple of months back that I was only ever complaining and thats not fair so started complimenting also. Still I loved the notes in books and the I'd like to deposit this into your belly still has me chuckling!

Thanks for the great ideas!

[SJ cDave]

I picked up a big handful of rocks at Brighton (I was down there again at the weekend), drew little faces on them, and have been leaving them out in public places, hoping people find them

[rich knapp]

one thing i did last year which made my day, i was in my local town and saw an old lady looking very lost. i asked her where she was looking for and it turned out the street was a 10min walk away (not accessable by bus). she didnt want a taxi so i walked her there and pushed her wheelie bag thing (no idea what they are called ). she was very gratefull and very chatty. it was nice to see someone genuinly please. one thing that stick im my mind was when she said that she doesnt normally trust people my age but ive changed her mind

[klutzqueen]

When you're going through customs and can't take drinks through, if you have any unopened ones (my Mum likes to send me to the airport with cans of coke for my trip, bless!), instead of binning them, go outside to where people are smoking/waiting and give them away.

If you have elderly neighbours, when you're washing your car, offer to do theirs as well "whilst you're at it"

Say to somebody sitting next to you in a waiting room/on a bus "That's a gorgeous perfume you have on - do you mind if I ask what it's called?"

If you sell something on ebay, pop in a little something extra in the envelope just to make somebody's day.

Leave magazines you've read in a place where they will be appreciated - e.g. in a hospital waiting room, airport lounge etc.

Send somebody you haven't spoken to in a long while a random e-card saying "Hi, haven't spoken to you in a while. Was just thinking of you. Hope you have a great day!"

These are all free, yay.

[Smile]

^ That free rice site someone posted has been a great success! Such a great idea

[Joinee Jennifer]

Here's one that costs you nothing:

If you're in the Ladies (or Gents) and there are some cubicles without any loo roll left, take a large wadge from a cubicle that still has some left and transfer it to the previously mentioned cubicles. It's simple, it's free and stops the next person to pay a visit getting caught short.

It doesn't sound like much, but for that poor person who didn't have the time to check for loo roll, it will be greatly appreciated.

[Joinee Hels BJ]

If you live in London, I find a good one is to give up your seat on the tube - subtly so as not to risk offending if they assue you think they're pregnant!, like allowing someone else to take it even though you could easily plonk your arse down - another is to let people get on before you in rush hour. Unfortunately this sometimes means leaving early for work! Now I live in Edinburgh I will have to find some other public transport ROAK...

[Joinee Tam]

Something lots of shops in Germany do, and can only really be done if you work in a shop, but kinda encourages other ppl to RAoK too, in fact not sure who the RAoK is for and who is the RAoKee...

However... at lots of the tills they have a little plate with small change on. Customers who have small change handed back to them put it on the plate (rather than makingtheir purses heavy - if they want to of course!), and that change is then available to the following ppl who have silly amounts to pay, like £40.01 or £4.07 etc. Means that ppl don't have to route round for little change, cashiers don't have to give change from £50 for something costing £4.01 etc etc

I've never used it, but seen other ppl in front use it, and it still makes me smile

[Silver Joinee Johnd]

Crazy Dave, on 22 Jul 2008, 10:44 AM, said:

I picked up a big handful of rocks at Brighton (I was down there again at the weekend), drew little faces on them, and have been leaving them out in public places, hoping people find them

Just seen this! Brilliant idea dude, will be doing this all the time

[Joinee Jennifer]

Here's one that costs absolutely nothing at all but will in the end make thousands of lives better:

Amnesty International is currently supporting a campaigning for equality in Iran, and there's a petition you can sign. They're trying to get 1 million signatures, so please go on to http://www.protectth...aigns/iranwomen and follow the links to the petition.

Sorry for clogging up the page with politics, but did you know that -

Women in Iran do not have equal rights with men in marriage, divorce or child custody (among other things).
Criminal harm suffered by a woman is less severely punished than the same harm suffered by a man and evidence given by a woman in court is worth half that given by a man.

And that's just part of it. Isn't it just disgusting that women are still facing these problems in the 21st century?

You might think that signing something online isn't going to help, but it's a start. Every little helps and all that.

Please sign.

[SJ cDave]

Crazy Dave, on 22 Jul 2008, 09:44 AM, said:

I picked up a big handful of rocks at Brighton (I was down there again at the weekend), drew little faces on them, and have been leaving them out in public places, hoping people find them

Someone else has been doing this.

[joinee danni]

I have just planned a little RAoK for tonight. I buy an all day travel pass for getting to work, but once I get off the metro or bus at 6pm that is me done with it for the day.
So I have printed out some little 'You have just experienced a random act of kindness from the Karma Army' with the website address on (pinched from the Joinee Tat thread) and intend to go back into the metro station to stick it up by the machine so it will save somebody some moolah.

If I do this the end of each day with my tickets then hopefully will spread the join me word a little bit through South Shields!

[Au Joinee Rory]

Danni, is there some small print on the back of the metro ticket that says it's non-transferable? There usually is on that sort of all-day pass. If that's the case then you're not really giving anyone anything; you're just helping them to dodge the fare. If that's something you're okay with and would consider to be a raok then go for it. Just be aware that that's what you're doing, and that it may be illegal.

[joinee danni]

I have just investigated one of my tickets and there is absolutely nothing on it that says it is non transferable

[Au Joinee Rory]

Then have at it!

[GJ Michelle P]

Much like my rice one up there ^ FreePoverty.com donates cups of water based on your knowledge of the world.

[Thorners (a.k.a. Claire)]

GJ Michelle P, on 28 Dec 2008, 01:47 AM, said:

Much like my rice one up there ^ FreePoverty.com donates cups of water based on your knowledge of the world.

This site is awesome. Thank you for the linkiness, sweetie.

[Angel Moon]

RAoKs I have recieved and enjoyed:
Had lost items returned to me.
Somebody taller then me, helped me get something off a shelf, this person didn't work for that store. it was cool.
Got lost two days ago in a city i didn't live in, somebody asked if i was lost and pointed me in the right direction.
This was a few years ago, there was a group of teens and their parents giving completely free car washes and completely free bottles of water, they refused to take even donations. They were just doing it to help people out and make it a better day. I was on clouds all day after that and they seemed to really be having fun with it.

Ideas of low cost RAoK:
Anything I just listed
Holding doors for people
Compliment others! I love it when I'm out at grocery stores and I see random people with shoes, or jewelry or hairstyles that I like, I make a point to let them know that its nice. Especially if its hair or their physical appearance. I know it puts a spring in my step to hear a complete stranger complement me. Of course, you have to be careful or you'll come off as a total skeeving perv!
volunteer at a homeless shelter, food bank, etc.
Visit a retirement community or hospital and talk to random people (Sadly many of the people in these places aren't actually sick, they are old and lonely, and just listening to them does so much for them and you, especially cause many of them have interesting stories to tell!)
Host a bake sale or crafts fair and donate proceeds to charity
Read to children
Walk or run for a cause (I did the march of dimes last may, it was so awesome, fabulous atmosphere, people just walked around in circles and the further you walked the more money the charity got, and people got really involved, they had costumes, team names, its the only time in my life i've ever been able to say "I just got cut off by a banana!" oh good times.)
Show tourists in your area to all the really good spots
if your area has grafitti on the buildings, volunteer to help paint over it, or if you are really talented with art, volunteer to paint a mural
do the free hugs campaign (great way to enlist new join me members too!)
leave money on books or taped to merchandise on stores (I know somebody who likes to tape the money to packages of diapers, to help parents out!)
collect or do a toy/stuff drive (sure during the holidays everybody has drives, but the rest of the year.... kids always need toys and books, and clothes, and shoes, and jackets, toothbrushes, etc.)
LISTEN TO PEOPLE
hold doors open for people
Write an anonymous letter of inspiration and leave it in a public place
Help people carry stuff or help them across the street
Help people in big parking lots who have lost their car find it
if you see somebody drop something, return it to them


Thats what I have right now. And unfortunately I Have to go. So.... Hope I helped.

Moon_Dancer

[Joinee Carly]

There are loads of Christmas selection boxes on sale at the moment in supermarkets, with about 6 bars of chocolate in each, I got two for £2 I think in Sainsbury's or somewhere! If you open them up, you can then hand the bars out to people!

Also, I went to the fireworks last night, and was stood opposite big ben, and one family had come from some where far away, (I forget where) and they had brought massive bags of party poppers and handed them out to everybody so we could all let them off together as it struck midnight! I thought it was a really good random act of kindness, (admitedly this is a little late, unless you save it for 2010, but I guess it could apply to lots of things when you're in big crowds?!)

EDIT: I forgot to say this, (hopefully it hasn't been said!) If you have any old magazines, which are fairly recent, take them into a hospital or a doctors surgery, I've often sat in waiting rooms and found myself reading magazines from 1999 or something ridiculous! I'm sure they'll be pretty appreciative! I've done it a fair few times, and they always seem grateful!

This post has been edited by charliecarly: 01 January 2009 - 10:52 PM

[KTxxx]

well i hav clicked the breast cancer website button...then i moved on to writing an email to post pals or i might write a letter...

but one thing that always gets people smiling is sarcasm or jokes, not rude stuff or cheesey jokes but if they say something use ur quick wit to say something hillarious its always gud to make people laugh

[Daisley Bur]

This thread is fabulous! I regularly leave books I've finished with on the bus or tube etc, and love buying homeless people lunch, making sure i get them something they like. It's horrible, but cheltenham high street has around 5 regulars who always sit in the same spots. It's heart breaking.

I'm definitely going to start drawing silly faces on rocks and leaving them about ^-^ and I'm going to try and donate at least 1000 grains of rice every day (it may take a while as my vocabulary isn't all that!)

I really want to buy an old lady some flowers too and sellotaping money onto packets of nappies, but I don't have any money until next week

[Daisley Bur]

Sorry for the double post but post its! Writing something nice/complimentary/a silly joke/a silly word/a funny face on a post it and sticking them in random places. You could even put the join me link on there

Toilet cubicles
Inside books/magazines
On things at the back of shelves in shops
On the front of the counter at a shop where you're paying for everyone in the queue to smile when they're waiting
The ceiling of a bus/train/tube
On sign posts
At traffic lights
Ummm...inside things in shops if they're not sealed down. You could also put money in too for this one

You can get mini post its too, so you can put them in ultra sneaky places

It sounds a bit cheesy, but I like to pray for random people I see on the street. In my head...I don't go up to them and start praying, that would just freak them out o.0

[GJ Michelle P]

More free trivia-based click-to-donate sites - launched by a 12-year-old girl in Oregon to help animal shelters facing food shortages:
www.freekibble.com
www.freekibblekat.com

[Joinee Galley]

Something I always do when working morning shifts is to offer all my punters free cups of tea or coffee. I get moved around shops a lot so people really appreciate it, especially considering the cold weather we've had recently.

[Joinee Wendi]

For what it's worth - in the U.S., you are allowed to come back and add more money to parking meters. And there was a case recently in Houston, where a person was taken to court for putting money in other people's meters. The judge ruled in the good samaritan's favor, saying thankfully there is no law against being nice. So, here anyway, you can top of meters for people as a ROAK

[fandango]

I bought a £1 scratchcard and gave it to an old lady on Friday. She was looking glum and I said I hoped it cheered her day up.

I have no idea whether she won or not.

[Lethal Biddle]

Joinee Wendi, on 12 Feb 2009, 10:43 PM, said:

For what it's worth - in the U.S., you are allowed to come back and add more money to parking meters. And there was a case recently in Houston, where a person was taken to court for putting money in other people's meters. The judge ruled in the good samaritan's favor, saying thankfully there is no law against being nice. So, here anyway, you can top of meters for people as a ROAK

As far as I'm aware that is actually against the law in many states. The fact that that person was cleared is a good thing & shows an understanding court (at least in that case). It doesn't mean you won't avoid such things yourself.

I like to give the gift of dance. I can pop like a funky wizard.

This post has been edited by GJ Biddle (ga): 23 February 2009 - 04:57 PM

[joineecleary]

here's one i thought of whilst walking the dog.
i had a sweet in my pocket and was about to open it up and eat it. i was walking past a letterbox at the time, so i decided to put it in there for the postwoman instead just a small, easy RAoK which i'll probably do every time i go past the letterbox
(edit because i remembered something else)
go into a shop and buy something like a chocolate bar, then give it back to the person you bought it from!

This post has been edited by joineecleary: 07 March 2009 - 05:11 PM

[Joinee_EmilyTheBrave]

I bought a couple packages of dog treats (the cheapish, jerky type ones), and am going to take them down to the dog park early in the morning, to leave for people to find.
I know if my puppies are happy, that makes my life easier!

This post has been edited by Joinee_EmilyTheBrave: 21 March 2009 - 09:22 AM

[joinee cutler]

the first random act i did was putting money in the vending mashines in my building in collage. the other day i called up an old friend i haddent spoken to in ages and told him how much i respect him for standing up for what he beleves in. i herd through the grape vine that he was feeling a little blue, so i just wanted him to feel a little better, we'er real good friends again now

i'm going to norwich this weekend with some friends and we'er gunna buy some sweets and chocolates to hand out to people. we'er done it before but the police approched us all suspicious- ha! they soon shhhh'ed when they found their faverot roses chocolate.

[Joinee McD]

An idea for an AoK (strictly speaking it's not a Random one) came to me today when the post arrived. A few years ago I adopted a couple of cows for my friend as an alternative birthday present and unknown to her I'm still adopting them! Anyway I've taken a look and for just £3 a month you can sponsor a variety of species/animals via the WWF. I don't know whether you have to commit to a certain number of months or anything, but certainly as a gift for a friend or family (you need the name and age of the recipient etc. as it comes with certificates et al) I think it's a brilliant one and £3 is basically the cost of one drink down the pub.

There's also Hillside Animal Sanctuary who ask for £10 per year for the adoptions which I also think is brilliant. (It's Bluebell and Pixie I adopt for my friend!)

I'm sure there are plenty of other places but I didn't find them in my 2 minute search online! The great thing about this is that you get to give a gift and help the animals! Yay!

[Joinee Finch]

Silver Joinee Twinkle, on 11 Aug 2007, 06:52 AM, said:

Seán I love you more than ever! Thank you very very much

How about paying for an extra coffee (or whatever) when you're in a Café for the next person in line or at the server's discretion?

In my city there is something called "Pay it backward". When you are going through drive-thru for coffee, they always have the orders lined up at the window so you can see what the person behind you had ordered. It's common to pay for the person behind you, and to have the drive-thru worker tell them to "Pay it backward" (to another person behind them). Kind of a rip off of a certain movie but always feels good to know you started someone's day off with a nice surprise.

Has anyone else heard of this?

[Joinee Beer]

SJ Drunken Pud, on 10 Aug 2007, 02:48 PM, said:

Yesterday me and Amanda bought a £2.99 bunch of flowers and gave it to an old lady. She seemed delighted and said it had made her day.

I love that RAoK. Someone did that for my mum once, and she's not really old. She still liked it though.

[Joinee Beer]

I paid someone's train fare the other day, because he didn't have enough money and was going to miss the train. The guy looked really shocked. It would be nice to think that he'll remember one day when he comes across someone else that doesn't have enough money for their train ticket and will buy theirs for them.

If you're up for it, you could help me help Bullying UK (a charity that provides support to victims of bullying, their families and teachers) win this compeition to win 100 adverts on London buses: http://www.upeveryon...ldcards/view/50

All you have to do is click on the link and vote. It only takes a couple of seconds, and you can vote every day.

Bullying UK is a tiny charity - just two people - that help thousands of children, and they don't have the money to afford any advertising on anything like this scale. It would be absolutely brilliant if they won, as it will generate much more awareness of what they do, so more children know they are there to help. And, if more people have heard of them, it will help them to fundraise in the future, too.

It would be really brilliant if everyone could vote and share the link to the ad with their friends.

Thanks!

[Joinee Beer]

Joinee McD, on 22 May 2009, 09:30 PM, said:

An idea for an AoK (strictly speaking it's not a Random one) came to me today when the post arrived. A few years ago I adopted a couple of cows for my friend as an alternative birthday present and unknown to her I'm still adopting them! Anyway I've taken a look and for just £3 a month you can sponsor a variety of species/animals via the WWF. I don't know whether you have to commit to a certain number of months or anything, but certainly as a gift for a friend or family (you need the name and age of the recipient etc. as it comes with certificates et al) I think it's a brilliant one and £3 is basically the cost of one drink down the pub.

There's also Hillside Animal Sanctuary who ask for £10 per year for the adoptions which I also think is brilliant. (It's Bluebell and Pixie I adopt for my friend!)

I'm sure there are plenty of other places but I didn't find them in my 2 minute search online! The great thing about this is that you get to give a gift and help the animals! Yay!

You can also sponsor animals at London Zoo. Come to that, you can sponsor children in developing countries, giving them safe drinking water, healthcare an education and a future: http://www.plan-uk.org/becomeasponsor/

[Joinee-Dee]

I haven't joined yet because I am on holiday atm, but today as my first raok I put 1 euro outside peoples doors. Only three doors, but still...
Another thing i like doing is when you come out of a shop with 20p or something small like that, put it on the ground and someone will have a lucky penny =]

This post has been edited by Joinee-Dee: 16 August 2009 - 04:41 PM