The Calling Card and New Car - My 29-year-old son, driving a 21-year-old Honda CRV on its last leg with close to 250,000 miles, was in desperate need to buy a new car - his sights on a brand new CRV. Money is tight, though he has been saving up for nearly five years for something newer, if not new. Several months ago, we stopped at our local Honda Dealer to test drive a used CRV. It never captured my son's heart, but the salesman, Ifiok, gave us his calling card if "we" decided to change our minds. Fast forward to last night (2/27/2024), and my son's dream of buying a new car came to fruition. He knew he would have to invest a few thousand dollars to get the old car fit enough to pass inspection, but rather use the money for something new.

The story began when we entered the showroom. Of course, after getting our bearings and out of the rain, a salesman we'd never seen before greeted us and asked if we needed help. We shook our heads in the affirmative as my son was taking Ifiok's calling card out of his pocket. He asked if this salesman was in the office, and we were quickly escorted to the floor assistant for her to page the salesman we had last fall - Ifiok.

In a minute, he came bouncing up to us to shake our hands and thank us for coming out on a miserable night. He was really trying to remember us until my son said his name, Ryan. You could tell he was trying to reach into the recesses of his memory to remember us from our last visit and what we came to do that time (a test drive of a pre-owned CRV).

Ryan then relayed his desire for a new CRV as we walked to the back of the lot, where there was one remaining CRV LX model. We checked it out quickly through the raindrops as Ryan requested to test drive it. A few minutes later, Ifiok retrieved the key and made a copy of Ryan's license for the test drive. All went well, and before we knew it, we were inside and in a small office to negotiate a price.

Once we started the initial paperwork and before the final price was discussed, Ifiok walked back into the office to thank us profusely for asking for him upon our entrance an hour earlier. He didn't know initially that we specifically asked for him and was over the moon that we did. He revealed that he helps many people who come in to ask questions and take test drives. Maybe they are not buying right away, but when they come back, sometimes the very next day, they use another salesperson.

Not us! We made Ifiok's day, if not week and month! He couldn't believe we(Ryan) carried his business card for several months and then asked for him after all that time.

Once the entire deal commenced, Ryan and I got two big bear hugs in appreciation from Ifiok! I'm sure he was happy for the sale, but the kindness was all about saving and using the calling card to the right salesman for the job.

Kindness in Richmond, Virginia

We were in RVA visiting my daughter and her young family. I had made a tray of roasted vegetables, but that was not nearly enough to feed four adults, one a big eater. My daughter suggested ordering take-out Chinese. Everyone was on board with the idea and offered menu options for ordering. My daughter placed the order and made the payment online. Two minutes later, she remembered her husband wanted the sweet and sour soup. It was too late to add to the order online, so she called the establishment. A kind woman answered the phone, and my daughter explained the snafu. "No problem," the lady said, "I give you free soup - no charge." She then added for good measure, "You give big orders, so no charge for soup." My daughter and I looked at each other, and I immediately exclaimed, "This is a micro-kindness." Simple, easy, and the complimentary soup offer on our order made our evening even sweeter! Thank you!