Although some headlines may give the opposite impression, the majority of Americans believe their fellow residents are kind. Think about the last time a stranger did something unexpectedly kind for you. Maybe someone held a door open, picked up something you dropped or gave you a compliment. Did it change how you treated the next person you encountered? New research suggests that for most people, a kind gesture isn't just helping one person, it's helping many. A recent survey showed that people on the receiving end of random acts of kindness are more likely to direct kindness to strangers. Of the adults age 50 or older surveyed, 72% said they felt comfortable initiating an act of kindness after being a beneficiary themselves. That suggests that the “pay it forward” instinct is something many of us grow into, not something we’re born with. The survey indicates that the U.S. is doing better than cynics might expect, with more than 60% of Americans saying they had experienced kindness multiple times in just the past week. So, if you were looking for a sign to help someone, this is it.
