Chivalry Is NOT Dead

I know I've been pretty silent lately, and that's mostly because not much has been going on in my sometimes very routine life.  But today I had an experience I had to share.

My work often requires that I be downtown in the early hours of the morning (4:00a).  While the work itself  takes place in a hotel lobby, between activity I like to walk to the local Starbucks (1 block away) for coffee and fresh air.

This morning during one of my breaks I decided to walk to another Starbucks 2 blocks away (yes, they're THAT close around here).  As I approached the shop there was a "crazy" homeless man outside yelling about being 41 years old and having died of hypothermia, but being saved by a cop.

As I walked by him he focused his comments towards me.  Happily I was at the shop and took my escape through the doors (or so I thought).  As I ordered by Grande Non-fat Latte someone besides me yelled "I need a coffee!"  And sure enough, it was "him."  The Barista asked if he was with me and when he learned he was not, asked him to leave.  The request soon escalated to the Barista threatening to call the cops so the man left.

While he made my coffee, the Barista and I chatted.  I told him I usually went to another shop nearby and he said he hoped this experience didn't keep me away in the future.  So nice. :)

I got my coffee and left, only to find "him" still outside the door.  As I walked by, he fell in-step with me and began chatting, asking my name (he wanted to marry me, his name was Bill), telling me about his dead mother, etc.  I did not engage him, but I also didn't feel threatened ... he was just a confused and probably drunk guy.  My only fear was that I would trip over him as he staggered along.

When I got back to the hotel I told Bill I was back at work and said "Good-bye."  He opened the door for me, then followed me in!  Because I work at this particular hotel often, the front desk staff and I are friendly so I just approached the desk and said "You have a visitor you might want to get rid of."  But before they could get around from the back of the desk I heard Bill yell "What are you doing here?"  I turned around to see the Starbucks Barista walking past him directly up to me.  Before I could say a word he asked "Are you where you need to be?"  Stunned, I nodded yes.  I couldn't believe it!  When he saw Bill take off with me down the street he left the Starbucks and followed us to make sure I was safe!

Then, in the pandamonium that broke out trying to get Bill out of the hotel I lost the Barista.

Although I had to leave downtown as soon as my work was over, I will be back tomorrow ... and you can be sure that I will get his name and Starbucks corproate will know about their wonderful employee.

So for today, despite the cold outside, I am warm; my heart filled with the kindness and caring of a stranger.  Chivalry is NOT dead ... at least not at Starbucks in Portland, OR.