This happened a while back at a North Mississippi Allstars / Anders Osborne show in Jacksonville:
Went to the bar for drinks, waited in line patiently.
Could hear some commotion in front of me, didn't pay too much attention.
After ordering my drinks, bartender informs me that they were paid for by the person in front of me and that this little "pay it forward" exercise was 20+ people deep and counting.
I then paid for the drinks for the person behind me. I ordered two drinks which were paid by the person in front of me, I paid for two drinks for the person behind me.
I walked away and never did hear how long the thing went on, but that was the first time something like that had happened to me, I thought it was pretty cool.
I'm not an Enabler, I'm your Friend.
Somebody pulled this stunt to me at a Starbucks. Only problem was I was alone in my car. Buying one coffee. The car behind me had three people in it. I got stuck with a $15 charge.
That ruined my day.
Pay it forward? It happens again I'm thanking the window person for my coffee and driving the heck away.
Somebody pulled this stunt to me at a Starbucks. Only problem was I was alone in my car. Buying one coffee. The car behind me had three people in it. I got stuck with a $15 charge.
That ruined my day.
Pay it forward? It happens again I'm thanking the window person for my coffee and driving the heck away.
I was kind of thinking the same thing. And what if you only had to pay for one person's coffee after getting yours free? What was the net gain out of this? NOTHING. You paid for one coffee, just like you would have if you had bought your own. So, the entire concept is really an illusion.
Billy, I can't decide if your signature line is ironic or appropriate! 😉
Yeah, this pay it forward stuff - too much like a chain letter for me. How about I pay for my drink - you pay for yours - the next guy pays for his? And if anybody's a few cents short, I'll be glad to help.
every time it has happened to me it has taken me by surprise and i just left what my coffee would have cost as a tip. the same works for alcohol. 
Wott if you just paid for someones coffee in line behind you because it was just a nice thing to do, and it wasn't about paying forward, backwards or in between?
Absolutely nothing to gain from it except the action of doing a nice thing.
That ruined my day.
I know what you mean.
I ordered a book once which was supposed to be autographed. It turned out not to be...
I got over it.
Billy, I can't decide if your signature line is ironic or appropriate!
Yeah, this pay it forward stuff - too much like a chain letter for me. How about I pay for my drink - you pay for yours - the next guy pays for his? And if anybody's a few cents short, I'll be glad to help.
Exactly.
On all counts.
Wott if you just paid for someones coffee in line behind you because it was just a nice thing to do, and it wasn't about paying forward, backwards or in between?
Absolutely nothing to gain from it except the action of doing a nice thing.
Not to poo-poo on what you're saying, but I kinda doubt that anybody in line at Starbucks (Fourbucks) is any real dire straits or anything. You want to be a good samaritan - take that money (price for a latte at Fourbucks) and give it to a hungry street person. Yeah, they might buy booze or drugs instead of food, but you're doing a solid for somebody who really needs a break. 😉
Wott if you just paid for someones coffee in line behind you because it was just a nice thing to do, and it wasn't about paying forward, backwards or in between?
Absolutely nothing to gain from it except the action of doing a nice thing.Not to poo-poo on what you're saying, but I kinda doubt that anybody in line at Starbucks (Fourbucks) is any real dire straits or anything. You want to be a good samaritan - take that money (price for a latte at Fourbucks) and give it to a hungry street person. Yeah, they might buy booze or drugs instead of food, but you're doing a solid for somebody who really needs a break. 😉
Have done that many times. but only buying the person food, not giving money.
Even that was sad once when I offered some food I bought from a local fast food place the person was near, and she said no because someone had done the same for her once, and the food had been poisoned. 🙁 
A lot of negativity above, jeez, sorry to rile you all up.
This was the first time this exact thing had happened to me, I thought it was cool.
FYI, the guy behind me was buying his whole crowd drinks, 5 or 6, he only accepted two freebies from me and I assume only paid for 2 behind him.
It was a silly thing that happened at a concert. Not meant to be a social commentary on charitable giving, jeez.
I think it's cool. I've seen it action and it mostly just makes people feel good. Nothin' wrong with that.
I like to occasionally pay for parking for the person behind me at the racetrack. I feel like the karma will bring me good luck with the ponies!
A lot of negativity above, jeez, sorry to rile you all up.
This was the first time this exact thing had happened to me, I thought it was cool.
FYI, the guy behind me was buying his whole crowd drinks, 5 or 6, he only accepted two freebies from me and I assume only paid for 2 behind him.
It was a silly thing that happened at a concert. Not meant to be a social commentary on charitable giving, jeez.
it is cool. the thing is, people can turn anything into a mess around here.
occasionally, I'll buy someone I don't know a coffee. they look at me like I was nuts. (Here in RI, a lot of people don't know how to respond to a stranger doing something nice for them. it's one of our many issues) 
Rhode Island ??
I just recently discovered that I like one of your products, it hasn't been readily available to me and still isn't really. You all probably think it is swill :
I think it's cool. I've seen it action and it mostly just makes people feel good. Nothin' wrong with that.
I like to occasionally pay for parking for the person behind me at the racetrack. I feel like the karma will bring me good luck with the ponies!
So how's that workin' out with the horses? 😉
I don't think anybody meant to exude negativity on the idea. I know that I didn't.
Sometimes it might be a matter of just how much spare coin you happen to have on you. Maybe you can afford your own beer/latte - but if the party behind you has several folks you might not be up to it financially.
There's also the matter of accepting a gift graciously without the responsibility/guilt/duty to return the favor or "pay it forward". I had this issue at Christmas time many years ago. I absolutely hated getting gifts from so many people outside of my family because I felt like I had to rush out and get them something. It led to a lot of holiday anxiety. If I treat somebody to drinks or dinner - it ends there. I expect nothing in return. Same thing if they do it for me.
No, not intending to cast negativity on this incredibly sweet idea at all.
It's simply a nice thing to do in the moment.
It's intentionality is kindness and good feelings.
In our world we can use more of that.
