WSU students discuss ‘paying it forward’

Imagine a cashier stopping a customer in the middle of reaching for their wallet, and telling them that their food is free because the person before them paid it forward.

Hamza Ahmed, a senior double-majoring in biology and economics, enjoys paying it forward for strangers, despite the fact that no one has ever paid it forward for him.

“It’s just a nice gesture, and it makes me feel good knowing I can make someone’s day,” said Ahmed. “In the morning when I go and get coffee, a lot of people are in a rush. So, sometimes I’ll just pay for the person behind me.”

Ahmed said that according to friends that work at the Starbucks on Anthony Wayne, last year after paying it forward once, he started a chain that went on for 12 to 14 customers.

“You never know what people are going through on a daily basis. Some people have rougher days than others, and it’s nice to have a stranger make you happy like that,” said Ahmed.

However, according to Ahmed, sometimes the amount of money a person is willing to pay forward is not sufficient enough to cover the order of the next person. He believes that it’s personal preference to pay it forward and that people should be mindful of what they’re able to do.

“If someone is unable to pass it on, they should not feel bad, and they should not feel obligated,” said Ahmed. “If one person does something nice for another, there should never be a social stigma of obligation of reciprocating the act. Yes, it would be nicer, and a greater amount of the public would benefit from it, but no one should have to break their back.”

Pre-Vet sophomore, Madelynn Koch was taken aback when someone had paid for her at a Tim Horton’s drive-through. She then proceeded to ask if she could pay for the guy behind her as well.

“I think that when you see others do good things for strangers, it just inspires you to do the same. When you’re touched by kindness, you want someone else to feel that too,” said Koch.

Koch believes that random acts of kindness do not happen often and that it isn’t the norm. As a result, she is awestruck when she sees people go out of their way for others - especially knowing that money can be an issue for her peers in college.

“College students don’t really have a lot of money to just throw out there, if you think that you can swing it that week, totally go for paying it forward,” said Koch.

Valerie Smith, a graduate student in a counseling and art therapy masters program, said that the decision to do something nice is a conscious one. Smith said that because life is so fast paced, something like unexpectedly getting a coffee from a stranger is special.

“When someone is being selfless, there’s a sense of altruism. Especially if we’re focusing on all of the horrible things going on in the world. It’s really nice to see someone being nice for no reason and no benefit to themselves,” said Smith.

Smith said she likes the premise of paying it forward, but she is not always able to do so.

“Typically, I don’t have the extra cash to do it. I’m a grad student,” said Smith.

Smith does, however, promote selflessness that does not require financing.

“I don’t think that you necessarily have to spend money to do a random act of kindness. For example, it is free to hold the door open for someone instead of letting it slam in their face. Things like that can still change the course of someone’s day,” said Smith.

For more information, contact reporter Aleanna Siacon at fv7748@wayne.edu or (586)3545040. Follow her on Twitter: @ATerese11

http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/features/article_3f7767ac-9ab8-11e5-a978-1bdfb8a7d6c8.html