New Yorkers can get bad reputation for being rude. Having lived here for 11+ years, I can say with full confidence that it really isn’t the case. I have met some of the kindest, most generous souls living here… people that inspire me to be a better person in my daily life. I do think we’re (to generalize our 8.5 million population) overstimulated, probably a bit overworked, and definitely sometimes misunderstood. There is so much going on at all times that you can find yourself desensitizing just to focus and make it through the day. I’ve noticed this even more since moving “out” of the city to Brooklyn. After a day spent running around on the subway to and from meetings and appointments, I am often so frazzled that I need to remind myself to sit down, smile, make eye contact, put my phone away… you know… be a real human being!
I try (though don’t always remember) to remember to smile at strangers, open doors, actually pause to give directions when someone stops me, all of that. Those little acts of kindness add up and make the other person’s day better… and I know that when someone is kind to me, it immediately improves my day (and also motivates me to remember to be kind to others!). So when I heard about The Kindness Card Experiment (a grassroots social experiment), I got really excited for my city. It started on June 1st, when 5,000 Kindness Cards were unleashed across New York’s 5 boroughs. Each card is pre-loaded with a redeemable $10. The idea is that if you receive a card, you redeem it online (sharing your story of kindness) and then pass it on to someone else when you see them doing something kind. The cards can either be redeemed online for a $10 gift card, or you can opt to instead donate the $10 to a New York based charity. The goal of the experiment is to encourage positive interaction spanning the city streets… bringing awareness to how kind New Yorkers can truly be… and causing a bit of a ripple effect!
Outfit Details: Zimmermann Top // Rag & Bone Jeans // J.Crew Factory Wedges // Lemon Stripes x Hat Attack Hat // Senreve Bag
The Kindness Card Experiment sent me three cards. I still have the first two, but I passed along my first one last Monday. It was a hot and steamy day on the subway and there was this interpretive dancer down on the Beford Avenue platform. He was running around shirtless on the platform and decided to pretend to “halt” the subway, using his hands (yes this really happened), and the subway car technician worried about him (maybe jumping or something, who knows?) and stopped the entire train. The same thing happened on the opposite side. So the L was held up on both sides and there were SO MANY of us packed into the car, which was clearly not going anywhere. That’s the annoying thing with the L, usually when there are delays I just get out and walk but when you’re going from Brooklyn into Manhattan there isn’t much you can do. Everyone was frustrated – and hot!
Anyway, we were all packed in there like sardines and I saw a guy in his twenties offer up his seat to an elderly woman who accepted with relief. I passed my first card along to him, explaining what he could do with it. So hopefully it brightened his day, and hopefully he will continue to fuel the ripple effect by passing it along to someone else!
The experiment will run until June 30, 2017. I think it’s also important to notice that while (if you are lucky to come across one of these lucky cards), experiment is wonderful, you don’t need an actual card to participate in the movement. Change and action comes from within and each one of us has the power to make an impact on a kinder New York!
You can track the experiment’s progress online. As of today 689 kind acts have been registered, with $1900 being donated to charity and $4830 being redeemed in cash! I loved going through the stories on the map… here are a few of my favorite small ways to make a difference.
- “Someone observed me helping a stranger find her way, and gave me a card afterward.”
- “I found an injured bird (it had a broken wing) and drove it to a volunteer wildlife center.”
- “I gave a swipe of my subway card to someone that needed it.”
Created in Partnership with The Kindness Card Experiment.
photography by Lydia Hudgens.
Sounds like an awesome experiment – we need something like this in Hong Kong!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
It should be everywhere! Maybe it will go global!!!
I recently heard of the this experiment. I love it and am always trying to be kinder. Many times I’ll swipe my subway card to a person who needs it. Once I gave up my seat to a pregnant lady on the crosstown bus only to hear others saying why does she deserve to sit? Some people just aren’t that kind and it’s sad.
Great post, Grace! Thank you for sharing this!
Gosh that’s awful. I hope someone gives you a kindness card, Tracy! xx
Super pretty top!!
Kristin
http://www.tweedandlace.com
Thanks, Kristin! xo
that’s so cool- and what a good reminder to everyone to be a little nicer. i love that top too!!
xo,brittany
my favorite natural summer beauty finds on the blog today!
http://www.notablob.com
Such a good reminder!
Hope you had a great weekend, Brittany! xx
I love this idea! The world really needs more basic, everyday kindness these days. I totally agree with what you said about New Yorkers though. I’ve always found the stereotype of the rude New Yorker to be the total opposite of what I experience which is meeting the nicest people all day long everytime I’m in the city. There’s no other place where I have as many random, pleasant conversations with strangers.
Briana | youngsophisticate.com
Totally agreed! Hope you had a great weekend, Briana!
That sounds like a great experiment to be a part of. That top is absolutely gorgeous!
Kendal // Life With Kendal
It’s such a wonderful project! xx
Oh my gosh – what a wonderful initiative! Love it!
It’s such a good one! Hope you had a great weekend, Jenn!
Atlanta needs to do something like this. I love how it’s bringing the city together.
http://goldclutter.com
They do! I hope this pops up in other cities.
This is such an amazing social experiment. And a perfect reminder that the little actions go a long way! Such a great partnership, Grace, thanks for sharing!
Pink Champagne Problems
Totally agree! It is fun to see the ripple effect caused by these cards!!
Having been a a visitor many times ( my sister first lived in the city, now Brooklyn)and now feeling more like a local( home away from home) I’ve found New Yorkers to be very kind and helpful. There is a cultural difference in Brooklyn, it’s more laid back and friendlier. It was always the blue color” neighborhood and a lot of that has changed with the gentrification. But, still my experience has been that people are more relaxed. My sister and I are always talking about the work culture compared to the the west coast( generally more supportive and friendly here, on the East coast more competitive ” dog eat dog”). The manners thing, on public transportation needs work in both cities. There was that article about how women were always the first to give up their seat, privileged white men were the least likely. The guy giving up his seat, sweet. That used to be commonplace. That’s why you like Charleston! Those beautiful southern manners! I love your blouse and bag. Thank you for reminding us, everyone could use a little more kindness!
I think you are right. But for now, the little things all add up and make a big difference. Thanks, Cy… I hope you had a great weekend! x
I love this idea!!
it makes me so happy! hopefully they will roll it out nationally!
Oh my god, I would have been SO annoyed at the guy who stopped the train! Nothing gets me more irritable than subway delays. They’re just SO. ANNOYING. Taking a minute to be kind is important, and can definitely get lost in the craziness of the day to day. Loved this post!
I know. It was really annoying!!!! But agreed on the importance of slowing down to take a minute for a good deed or two 😉