On the cartoon Popeye, Whimpy is a character who always has a hankering for a hamburger. His most famous line, which he repeats often, is “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” He loves his burgers, but he never seems to have the money to pay for them when his craving strikes. And he always seems to find some kind soul to give him the burger, with the promise of paying later on.
Today when I went out to get my sandwich at lunch time, I felt a bit like Whimpy. I ordered without realizing that they don’t take American Express. I had only brought my Amex cards along with me and left the rest of my wallet at my desk. I told the man behind the counter that I wouldn’t be able to take the sandwich.
“No worries. You take the sandwich now and just pay me later.”
“Huh?” I said.
“Take the sandwich, enjoy your lunch, and bring me the money later,” he repeated.
“Really?” I asked.
“Really,” he said.
This man had never seen me before – I rarely go to this cafe for a sandwich. Of course I brought him the money as soon as I finished my sandwich. He didn’t seem surprised to see me. I thanked him, and told him that he made my day. He just smiled humbly, and wished me a good weekend. It was nice to be reminded that there’s still such a thing as trust among strangers. And I think the world is better off for it.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
On the cartoon Popeye, Whimpy is a character who always has a hankering for a hamburger. His most famous line, which he repeats often, is “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” He loves his burgers, but he never seems to have the money to pay for them when his craving strikes. And he always seems to find some kind soul to give him the burger, with the promise of paying later on. 
Christa Avampato 
That’s funny. I had sort of the same experience yesterday. I went to check out the new vegetarian store – a 10X15 foot storage room in the back of a coffee bar – not a ton of vegetarians to serve in this neck of the woods. They were closed but saw me coming so opened and let me take a look at what they had. I hadn’t really intended to buy anything but thought that since the owner had been good enough to indulge me I’d get something. She rang it up but I didn’t have cash and she doesn’t take credit cards. I had 5 bucks on me but was a dollar short. She said to go ahead and take it and pay latter – no rush. Twice indulged… But around here we all sort of know everybody. Kanab is a nice place but it ain’t NY City. Yours is by far the more spectacular story – I just find it funny that we should have the same sort of experience at the same time.
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Trish, I love this story. It’s so nice to be reminded that kindness is all around us, wherever we happen to call home 🙂
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What a wonderful track stopper. Today, in MN, is our first warm day and people have scurried out of their winter caves. Traffic (small town of 20,000 but it can get congested) is frantic, people are in a rush to suck the life out of our first pre spring day. I found myself getting into their rhythm and returned home to read your writing. Thank you for putting it all into perspective. Thank you for reminding me to not despair, there is oh so much hope in the human spirit.
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Hi Beth,
I always need reminders like this, too. NYC is always frantic, and so many times I find myself getting caught up in the rush. This interaction with this shopkeeper was a nice reminder of how much we can effect one another with even the smallest kindnesses.
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You are right Christa, trust do exist in the world and if you show it then most time people will feel obliged to reciprocate as well. Last Friday my colleague mentioned that on Wednesday after eating in restaurant near our office he realized that they don’t accept credit card. So the restaurant owner told him that its not a problem and he can pay later. He somehow had not been able to do that for last two days and he was feeling so bad that he said that he will go all the way to office on Saturday just to pay that guy.
At the same time this gestures from business owners can also be looked at from marketing angle. The guy is putting on stake $6-10 and might win back his money along with a loyal customer forever.
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Very true, Sumit! He has won a loyal customer for sure.
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