June 3rd, 2010 
judowolf Driving into the gas station, I pulled up to pump nine, and a memory from my youth came tumbling forth – back then the attendant pumped the gas, checked the oil and tire pressure, cleaned the windshield, and gas was 25 cents a gallon.
Entering the store, I looked around noticing they sold everything from beer to milk, and waited in line. The cashier called next; going up to the counter, I handed her a twenty, told her pump nine, and as I turned toward the door, she asked if I needed a receipt and thanked me.
A man held the door for me on the way out, which elicited a thank you from me, and I held the door for the person behind me illicting another thank you. I was shocked by the new politeness and could not remember the last time this happened.
Pumping the gas, I wondered why everyone was so polite today. The cashier was doing her job and was instructed to treat the customers with respect and politeness.
The weather was its usual spectacular self and even though it influenced people’s mood it wouldn’t affect their politeness. Maybe, a happy pill was being distributed, which was unlikely, as TV would have advertised it for the past month. It wasn’t being kind to your fellow man day, as Hallmark didn’t have a card out.
The gas pump stopped, I placed the nozzle back in its home, drove to the entrance where a car stopped, and let me in. Driving along this brief attitude change occupied my mind – life was pleasant again, people seemed less rushed, happier, and not complaining.
Then the answer hit me it was pay it forward day, a great day to be alive.
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