Julio Diaz is a 31-year-old New York social worker. Every night, it is his routine to end his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx by getting off one stop before where he usually gets on the train on his morning commute to work. He does this just so he can eat in his favorite diner, a few blocks from his house. But one night, as Diaz stepped off the Number 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn. Below is Diaz's personal story of what happened.
"I was walking toward the stairs when a teenager approached and pulled out a knife on me. He wanted my money, so I gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go.'
As the thief began to walk away, I told him, 'Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat, too, to keep you warm.'
The teen gave me a "what's-going-on-here" look and asked, 'Why are you doing this?'
My simple reply was: 'If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. You know what, I was just on my way to dinner. Why don't you join me? You are more than welcome, you know?'
Somehow I just felt that perhaps he really needed help. Surprisingly, the teen accepted the dinner invitation. We then went into my favorite 'watering hole', and we sat in a booth. The manager came by, the dishwashers came by, the waiters came by to say "hi".
Taken aback by the warm welcome, he commented, 'You seem to know everybody here. Do you own this place?'
'No, I just eat here a lot.'
'But you're nice to even the dishwasher.'
I 'Well, haven't you been taught that you should be nice to everybody?'
'Yeah, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way,' he retorted.
As we ate, I asked him what he really wanted out of life. He didn't answer---or he didn't want to. However, the question elicited a combination of a somewhat ache-filled, bewildered, and sad look on his face .
When the bill arrived, I told him, 'Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for the meal since you have all my money; But if you give me back my wallet, I'll gladly pay for the meal. . .it is my treat for you.'
Surprisingly, the teen readily and unhesitatingly handed me back my wallet. I paid the bill and I also gave him $20---thinking that perhaps he really needs help. Additionally, I asked him for one thing in return—his knife. Again, to my surprise, he readily gave it to me, too, without any delaying tactic or protest whatsoever. We then walked out of the diner, and then we parted ways.
After I got home, I told my mother what had happened. She told me, "You're the kind of fellow who would give your watch if someone asked you what time it is'
I figured, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world.
By Julio Diaz to Michael Garofalo, a reporter for New York's Morning Edition
"I was walking toward the stairs when a teenager approached and pulled out a knife on me. He wanted my money, so I gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go.'
As the thief began to walk away, I told him, 'Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat, too, to keep you warm.'
The teen gave me a "what's-going-on-here" look and asked, 'Why are you doing this?'
My simple reply was: 'If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. You know what, I was just on my way to dinner. Why don't you join me? You are more than welcome, you know?'
Somehow I just felt that perhaps he really needed help. Surprisingly, the teen accepted the dinner invitation. We then went into my favorite 'watering hole', and we sat in a booth. The manager came by, the dishwashers came by, the waiters came by to say "hi".
Taken aback by the warm welcome, he commented, 'You seem to know everybody here. Do you own this place?'
'No, I just eat here a lot.'
'But you're nice to even the dishwasher.'
I 'Well, haven't you been taught that you should be nice to everybody?'
'Yeah, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way,' he retorted.
As we ate, I asked him what he really wanted out of life. He didn't answer---or he didn't want to. However, the question elicited a combination of a somewhat ache-filled, bewildered, and sad look on his face .
When the bill arrived, I told him, 'Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for the meal since you have all my money; But if you give me back my wallet, I'll gladly pay for the meal. . .it is my treat for you.'
Surprisingly, the teen readily and unhesitatingly handed me back my wallet. I paid the bill and I also gave him $20---thinking that perhaps he really needs help. Additionally, I asked him for one thing in return—his knife. Again, to my surprise, he readily gave it to me, too, without any delaying tactic or protest whatsoever. We then walked out of the diner, and then we parted ways.
After I got home, I told my mother what had happened. She told me, "You're the kind of fellow who would give your watch if someone asked you what time it is'
I figured, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world.
By Julio Diaz to Michael Garofalo, a reporter for New York's Morning Edition
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