Thursday, August 24, 2006

Fatih in Humanity

I was wandering through the town of Montecito, CA near Santa Barbara, CA. I was haning out with a friend of mine and he asked me to pick 3 cheeses from this cheese and wine place. So I said sure. I walked to the store and walked in... there was a woman preparing sandwhiches... I had noticed that there was no credit card machines - at that time the owner of the store was walking about behind the cash as I asked the woman if they accepted credit cards or debit cards... and he said sorry we don't ...

I turend to walk out the door and at that moment the owner said come back here and get what you need - I don't want to see anyone go hungry. Wow I said to myself ... he is willing to let me get something without paying for it. "You can pay me later he said". I told him I am not from around here ... Not a problem "pay me whenever!"... well that is a rare thing... he asked me what kind of cheese he needed... I asked him for a slice of fontina. He weighed it and then was getting ready to charge me for my slab... when I said I need 2 more slabs - he thought about it for a moment and then just said sure, what else.

He ringed me up... and it came to $ 18.80. I left to go and see my friend - told him what happened and said I want to borry $ 20 dollars ... I went back to pay my debt early...

I walk into the shop and he looks at me and say your back already ... yes, I said and would like to pay my bill... so I had him my 20 he gives me change and as I am about to walk out the door he manages still be be generous with me and says - why don't you take this other slice as well ... as I probably will not be able to sell such a small piece ... generous and giving this person was ... the lesson to me was all about giving ... it will always come back to you in ways you never expect it... and most importantly - give without expecting anything in return .. I had an amazing day after that...

wow... imagine what our world would be like...