Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down Their Favorite Small Ways To Spread Positivity

People Break Down Their Favorite Small Ways To Spread Positivity
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

I like to write little poems for people and leave them lying around. It's just a small thing I like to do to brighten the days of my friends and other people I care about. Another friend I know likes to bring people flowers from time to time. He's done it for me more than once and it's always made me smile!

After Redditor omegagirljr1997 asked the online community, "What is your favorite small way to spread positivity?" people told us about some of their own tactics.


"A quick..."

Complimenting people. A quick, "I like your shirt" or "Your plant on your desk looks so nice!" is so easy to do, and it makes people smile.

GirlintheYellowOlds

"If your cashier..."

If your cashier or waiter/waitress has nail polish on, compliment it! They put clear effort into that part of their appearance, possibly even paid money for it, a short friendly comment on it is easy and typically welcome.

Otherwise, a good rule is to compliment a choice a stranger made about their appearance, not something they can't (easily) change. Her sick winged eyeliner, not her pretty brown eyes. His hair style, not his red hair.

sainttawny

"If I'm approaching a traffic light..."

If I'm approaching a traffic light, and see empty lanes, I switch over to the one in the middle, so the cars behind me can turn right on red and are not held up because of me. I hope that makes their day a bit quicker and gives them a feeling that they were able to make that light without stopping!

TonyStark39

"Whenever I call some customer service..."

Whenever I call some customer service or whatever I try to remember the name of the person on the other end. When the call is over I thank them by using their name and say they were very helpful. You can tell that people usually forget their names.

sturj1

"Whenever the opportunity presents itself..."

Be everyone's "hype man."

If someone tells a story or just shares an experience I try to always acknowledge them clearly, especially if it seems like few or no one else heard, assuming we're in a group setting.

If someone puts on an act for a joke that doesn't catch on, I try and back them up with antics that compliment theirs.

If someone is casually picked on in that "it's all in good fun but it's also kind of true so still possibly hurtful" kind of way, and they can't seem to retaliate with wit, I try to follow up with a positive spin or a counter burn if possible.

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I try to acknowledge and encourage other people in subtle ways. I always hated the social spotlight because of poor self esteem, but I find that the kind of attention i get from this is just wonderful. Also it has the added benefit of making everyone love you.

GrayPhilosophy

"Thanking people..."

Thanking people for small tasks that usually go unnoticed days later.

"Oh quick question, did you restock that shelf the other day? Thanks, that really helped."

"I forgot to tell you, thanks for putting more paper in the copier."

"Did you rewrite the tasks on the dry erase board? Thanks, I can finally read it."

FdgPN

"Waving at each car..."

Waving at each car that passes as I walk along my country road. Today I was 9 for 9 on returned waves!

taraform72

"I make sure..."

I make sure to tell every retail or customer service worker how much I appreciate them.

puppo44

"I always do..."

When I'm talking with someone and they tell me to say hello, pass on well wishes etc. to another person, I always do, it always brings a smile to that persons face. And then they'll respond in kind, and I'll pass that message on back. Smiling faces are beautiful.

shadowbutcher

"That started..."

My parting words to everyone I interact with (usually when getting food) are "take care of yourself." That started during the pandemic and it's not going away after it's over.

SeekerSpock32

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Hillary Clinton; Liam Ramos; Tammy Duckworth
Alex Wong/Getty Images; Columbia Heights Public Schools; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Dems Blast ICE After 5-Year-Old Minnesota Boy Is Detained On His Way Home From Preschool

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth were among the Democrats who condemned ICE after agents detained 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father on their way home from preschool in the Minneapolis area.

Ramos is the fourth student from the Columbia Heights School District to be swept up in the Trump administration's nationwide immigration crackdown. District officials and a family attorney confirmed the boy and his father are in custody at an ICE facility in Texas.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karoline Leavitt; Donald Trump
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Karoline Leavitt Gives Bonkers Excuse After Trump Is Spotted With Massive Bruise On His Left Hand

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was called out after she gave a dubious excuse for what happened to President Donald Trump after he was spotted at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday with a large bruise on his left hand.

Last year, rumors swirled that Trump was on his deathbed after he wasn't seen for several days and the White House cancelled his public appearances, a development that fueled speculation in large part because of Trump's recent health problems, which include a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency and sightings of a harsh bruise on his right hand.

Keep ReadingShow less
A group of men sitting on lawn furniture
men sitting on chairs
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Men Reveal The Mistakes They See Younger Guys Repeatedly Making

There are countless male stereotypes.

Stereotypes which, sadly, still remain all too true among far too many oblivious men.

Keep ReadingShow less
Troye Sivan (left) and a screenshot from the now-deleted video posted by an aesthetic doctor critiquing the singer’s appearance (right).
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; @drrzayn/Instagram

Singer And Actor Troye Sivan Speaks Out After Plastic Surgeon Says He Should 'Re-Twinkify' Himself

Out of all the unsolicited advice that circulates online, being publicly critiqued for aging may be one of the most jarring, especially when it comes from a stranger with a platform and a medical title.

That was the experience Australian singer, songwriter, and actor Troye Sivan recently unpacked after a plastic surgeon posted a video dissecting his appearance without permission.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @its.avelyn's TikTok video
@its.avelyn/TikTok

Woman's Hack For How To Find The Sweetest Oranges At The Grocery Store Is Both Hilarious And Helpful

Let's be honest, in this economy, groceries are atrociously expensive, and we could use every shopping and saving hack we can find.

TikToker @its.avelyn delivered when she shared a fellow TikToker's hack for finding the sweetest navel oranges at the grocery store, allowing us to buy the fruit we want and get our money's worth in the process.

Keep ReadingShow less