Found a note on a corkboard that changed how I see flyers

I was at a coffee shop downtown last month and there was this bulletin board full of lost dog posters and piano lessons. One note stood out because it was handwritten on notebook paper, not printed. It said something like "if you need $20 for bus fare, take this envelope." And there was a little envelope taped below it. I watched people all morning walk right past it. Nobody touched it. I ended up talking to the barista about it and she said the same guy leaves a new one every week and nobody ever takes the cash. It honestly bothered me more than it should. Why do we ignore stuff like that but stop to read 20 coupons for pizza delivery? Has anyone else seen something real and simple on a board that got ignored?

2 comments

2 Comments

hunt.jana15d ago

Is it possible people are too EMBARRASSED to take it? Like if you genuinely need that $20 for bus fare, everyone around you is watching you pull that envelope off the board. Nobody wants to be the person caught taking charity in front of strangers. That kind of setup only works if nobody is looking, but coffee shops are basically fishbowls. Maybe the guy should put it in the bathroom stall or something where people can grab it in private. I think the whole thing says more about PERFORMANCE vs. actual help.

wyattbennett15d agoTop Commenter

People get embarrassed over the weirdest things. Is it really that deep to grab a free $20?