Helping an older gentleman at the Versatel machine

@TheHorse (238291)
Walnut Creek, California
December 29, 2015 6:52pm CST
I had one of those little experiences today that made me feel like part of a community. An older gentleman had made his was to the Versatel machine (Bank of America's baking machine) and was struggling to read the text on the screen. The machine faces West, and the afternoon sun was shining right on it. In front of me in line was a younger guy, a black dude in his 20s with a scruffy goatee, like mine. When the older gentleman voiced confusion, the guy in front of me and I both went up to him and made a big shadow on the screen. We also coached him through the process of withdrawing his $40. He thanked us, mumbled something about "eyes getting older" and shuffled off. I said, "No, it's the sun. It's hard on us all at this time!" He waved, and was gone. Just a little thing, but one of those moments I treasure.
9 people like this
7 responses
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 15
It's a wonder that he didn't get frightened when you two surrounded him as he was trying to get his cash!. Anyway, that was nice of you to help him out.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Dec 15
Somehow he could tell that the other guy and I were there to help him. He never flinched.
2 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
30 Dec 15
yes, i helped a senior citizen use the atm for the first time. but after 2 failed tries, i decided it's better the bank employees help him so i endorsed him to them.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Dec 15
Sometimes those machines aren't working right, and there's nothing you can do.
1 person likes this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
31 Dec 15
@TheHorse he wanted me to do it for him, but i couldn't even touch his ATM so i guided him. but i guess he was flustered/rattled and got the PIN messed up. a third failed trial would have eaten the card.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Dec 15
@hereandthere Time to go inside!
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
30 Dec 15
I always like moments like this. It's so sweet. I always believe there are wonderful people all around the world, and you and the young guy are one of them!
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
3 Jan 16
@TheHorse I don't know, but I have seen some people just do not like to help others, it seems like it's wasting their time, unless there are some benefits in helping. Perhaps it's in all of us, but it also depends how we were brought up.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Dec 15
I think it's in all of us. I wonder if grumpy people would be kinder if given more chances to help others.
1 person likes this
Patsie Hatley is Deceased
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
30 Dec 15
That was so sweet of the two of yo e and it might have made his day too.I bank inside on the versatellers and people are always so sweet. The bank doors are pretty hard to open and when you try to open them with a knee because your hands are on your walker it's really hard.Alw ys one of the Bank of America employees rushes over and helps me into the bank Most people really are kind to us old duffers l ol lol
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Dec 15
I think people change when they have the change to help someone else. They come out of their shells. We don't always have the opportunity to do so.
amnabas
@amnabas (14877)
• Karachi, Pakistan
30 Dec 15
Good gesture shown. Sometimes these old man do yell off.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Dec 15
This guy wasn't mean. He seemed appreciative of our efforts.
peggy baker
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
31 Dec 15
It's so nice to hear things like that really the best when others help.
1 person likes this
peggy baker
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
1 Jan 16
@TheHorse That's a great possibility glad you weren't
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Jan 16
@softbabe44 I tend not to carry mine around. I like to be fully present wherever I am.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238291)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Dec 15
I think/hope it happens fairly often. It just seemed like the obvious thing to do. Maybe we wouldn't have noticed him had we been on our cellphones.
1 person likes this
mommaj
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
6 Jan 16
I love that feeling of helping someone in the right circumstance. I do have to agree with @jaboUK it's a wonder you didn't give the poor man a heart attack.