Calling Out lyssabee

January 22, 2020 7:47 AM

Lyssabee has subjected me to a drive-by act of kindness in response to a comment of mine. Read on.

I have been hit with kindness before, in MeMail and comments. I was having a perfectly fine day, but the cheer and humor of Lyssabee's comment struck me hard and brought tears. In retaliation, I favorited and flagged (fantastic) the comment. The Internet and our own corner of it can be mean. This is an excellent example of how to be a person on the Internet in the best possible way.

Thanks, lyssabee

posted by theora55 to Etiquette/Policy at 7:47 AM (14 comments total)

Lotta good folks around here; glad y'all had a nice internet moment!
posted by youarenothere at 8:32 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]

I have recently been the recipient of two MeFi acts of kindness. The thorn bushes have roses helped me format a photo for printing in a weird size to fit a Christmas ornament frame, and Jessamyn sent me some old-skool index cards in response to my comment that they seem no longer to be available. Obviously the actual acts were helpful and awesome but it’s more than that, it’s being able to walk through the day feeling like there are kind and generous people in the world. It’s lovely to hear about other kindnesses too!
posted by HotToddy at 9:00 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]

That's wonderful!

Yay for lyssabee for taking a moment to say a nice thing, and yay for you, theora55, for also taking a moment to highlight a nice things.

This is why we can have nice things.
posted by kristi at 10:54 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]

We need more drive-by acts of kindness. Also for anyone lurking, that's an awesome MetaFilter account name just waiting to be had.
posted by Fizz at 10:58 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]

Somebody here once FedExed me some pickles.
posted by bondcliff at 1:27 PM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]

A person I know IRL that I didn't know was a Metafilter user once stopped by the store where I used to work to bring me a coffee and give me a hug one afternoon when I made a sad comment on a thread some years back.
posted by thivaia at 1:47 PM on January 22, 2020 [13 favorites]

Well shucks. theora55 you made my whole week :)
posted by lyssabee at 3:16 PM on January 22, 2020 [9 favorites]

Years ago, after some particularly draining week on MetaTalk, Kat Allison snuck a bottle of scotch onto my porch while she was passing through town for a thing, and it continues to make me smile every time I've thought of it since.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:43 PM on January 22, 2020 [12 favorites]

Up with this sort of thing!
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 3:59 PM on January 22, 2020 [7 favorites]

I've gotten some physical gifts from MeFites, a lot more than I've given, including some decent headphones when I commented on a lack of privacy, and some mail order New York bagels. And very recently when I mentioned the bargain basement quality of my smartphone on MFChat, a MeFiMail came in offering me a less-outdated model for which I have not responded, even with a thank you. I should express more gratitude for everything, while I'm still getting better than I deserve.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:11 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]

Aww, thanks for mentioning that HotToddy, it’s nice to be able to help out. My day job isn’t fulfilling so anytime I can use Photoshop for good and not evil is exciting for me.

I came to comment on this post about how many kind things folks have done for me, I’m so glad you posted theora55!

One of the things that I always really appreciate is getting Mefi mail from someone encouraging me or adding extra context to a comment. It makes the site feel less large and overwhelming to me. I don’t do it often enough myself! So thanks for anyone reading who has done that for me or others, it’s an act of kindness that has more impact than you might think.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 8:34 PM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]

I’ve had several unexpected messages land in my inbox and it makes me so happy every time it happens.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:41 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]

So many mefi people have been really randomly kind to me and it's meant so much. rue72, wellred, brainwane, I'm probably forgetting a ton of people.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 7:22 AM on January 24, 2020 [3 favorites]

One of the things that I always really appreciate is getting Mefi mail from someone encouraging me or adding extra context to a comment. It makes the site feel less large and overwhelming to me. I don’t do it often enough myself! So thanks for anyone reading who has done that for me or others, it’s an act of kindness that has more impact than you might think.

A few years ago, I posted a comment about how sad/discouraged I was about [thing], and several Mefites sent me encouraging or empathetic Memails and it meant A LOT to me. Like, I still remember their kind words five years later. Thank you to everyone who sends those notes, even if/when I don't respond, they matter to me and make a difference.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 12:17 PM on January 24, 2020 [2 favorites]