Amsterdam: Monday evening, late for a meeting at 6.30pm. I ran from my office at Rockstart to my bike parked at Waterlooplein, only to find I lost my keys on the way there – they must’ve fallen out of my pocket. I could shoot myself for losing something small from this jacket yet again [the fifth bankcard since the beginning of 2014 just came in] and wondered if I’d ever learn, while unpacking my bag for a second time to make sure I hadn’t put the keys in there. Nowhere to be found.
The first solution that came to mind was renting a bike, as the meeting was in a remote place and using public transport would take me too long to get there.There happened to be a MacBike around the corner. Unfortunately, when I walked up at 6.45pm they had closed 15 minutes ago and the guy behind the counter wouldn’t budge.
Frustrated, I weighed my options; I could cancel the meeting, request an Uber, or find a stranger that would lend out his or her bike. The last seemed most enjoyable ;)
Ten minutes were spent finding this kind stranger. I figured people working around Waterlooplein that had traveled to work by bike would be my best bet and I tried the cafe next to the MacBike store and the huge Albert Heijn supermarket. No luck. The only other store that was open, was the Gall & Gall liquor store next to the supermarket.
I came in and there were two young people that greeted me; a boy and girl, both wearing their Gall&Gall t-shirts, happily interacting with a male customer. After the customer had paid, I came right out and said I had a situation and would like some help. Upon mentioning that I’d lost my bicycle keys, the girl grabbed a box from the counter and started looking in it.
“No, I am actually hoping I can borrow your bike from you, if you’re working until later today.”
“Oh.” She excused herself, and said she hadn’t come by bike. I turned to him.
“I realize it’s an odd request but I promise to be back before your shift ends.”
“Well.. I am staying until 9pm and I do have a bike.”
“Great! Could I borrow it?”
“Well, I don’t normally do this, but then again.. no one ever really asks me.” Brief pauze. “Yes – I would like to be of help to you.”
“So cool. You really are.”
“So cool. You really are.”
His name was Chevran. He got his set of keys, took the bike-key off, gave it to me and pointed to his mountainbike, which was leaning against the window of the shop. I unlocked it, got on and drove off – smiling to myself and realizing a potentially frustrating situation had turned into a happy one thanks to his awesome boy. The mountainbike brought me to the meeting super quickly – its wheels just squeaked heavily and it had come without any lights. I figured this would make for a nice thank you gift, to be bought on the way back a few hours later.
Around 8.30pm, I cycled back to Waterlooplein and stopped by a supermarket to get the gifts. A homeless guy sat in front and -eager to make someone else happy by being generous as well-, I asked what he’d like from inside.
“I prefer change.”
“I don’t have any cash, would you like something to drink or eat?”
“I don’t have any cash, would you like something to drink or eat?”
“A beer?”
“Something healthy?”
He grinned and insisted: “A beer?”
He grinned and insisted: “A beer?”
I did the same: “Something healthy?”
“Ok then, a fruit juice.”
The supermarket didn’t sell lights unfortunately so I picked up flowers instead, and an apple & banana smoothie.
I drove on arrived at the liquor store just before 9pm.
“Hey!” Chevran said, upon seeing me come in.
I offered the flowers, and extensive thank-you’s, to both of them. He was visibly happy.
“You know what I told her when you left?” he said, and pointed at his colleague. “I told her: nowadays, you can hardly trust people right, but I don’t know.. there was something in your face that kept me from asking for something to hold on to from you. I just gave you the key and knew you’d come back. I’m really happy I could be of help.”
Ah. This guy made my night twice, in less than three hours.
Helpfulness rocks.
