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top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]AnzacNewfie 623 points624 points ago

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As a janitor in a small school I can tell you thank you from him. I am a part time trapper (in the woods killing cute animals...yeah I know) and I look the part. They call me "The Crazy Janitor" and I dont really mind that I I do look like a nutcase with my long beard. But some kids actually asked me what kind of music I like, and after telling them that I have recorded 2 C.D's, live all over the world, and generally have had an interesting life, they started to actually come to me for advice. I swear at the kids, I tell them jokes, I listen to their (new) jokes and tell them the punchlines before they get to the. But the mean kids can ruin my day. I've been to jail, traveled through War Zones, smuggled drugs and dealt with lots of generally disgusting people in my life so I just treat the tough ones with indifference, and try to help the good ones. You are a good person, and thats all you need to be in life. You win.

[–]brintoul 79 points80 points ago

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I hate mean kids. I've got a four year-old right now and I'm going to be crushed when she runs into the mean kids (I don't think she has yet).

I want to hit their parents, frankly.

[–]AnzacNewfie 256 points257 points ago

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Yeah, I've had kids try to actually bully me, just come up to my face and yell "HEY"!!!! in my face. That didnt last long as I yelled it right back and then sent them to the office. I should point out that where I live is close to 3 Indian reserves, and fuck anyone who says this is racist, but they are taught to hate white people, that white people are all the same, that we are weak and dont belong here. Some are so racist that they ruin the education of their children just prove a point. Before I hear some jackass talk shit let me say that the only people I go in the bush with are Cree. I speak a little and respect their culture, or whats left of it. I get respect because I live more like an indian than a white Newfie transplant. I trap with them. I fish with them, and agreee that anything killed or caught is dispersed by the elders. I respect that. But bully me as if I was some fucktard just out of university? they have another thing coming... Yes I went off topic, but im drinking wine and smoking dope with a broken toe, so suck it up princesses.

[–]UmamiTsunami 102 points103 points ago

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I wish you were my high school janitor. Although mine was a pretty cool Croat who didn't speak much english but took no shit from anyone. When I was in Grade 8 he walked by my open locker and must've noticed the wreckage inside. He barked at me, "Come see me after school" where he had two freshly cut wooden shelves waiting for me. Mr. Perovic. Good guy.

[–]AnzacNewfie 56 points57 points ago

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You just made me smile. Im sure he was a great person. Watch us hardasses as we are usually the nicest people around.

[–][deleted] 31 points32 points ago

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You sound like the lead character of a film I want to watch!

[–]swansoup 14 points15 points ago

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Do you live in central Canada? Because man, you hit the nail on the fucking head with your description of the Native population. I'm not racist either, I do have many Native friends, but its sad to see how their culture is being lost and how racism is overtaking so many of their values.

[–]AnzacNewfie 18 points19 points ago

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Northern Alberta. Same shit, different pile.

[–]jhra 2 points3 points ago

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It doesn't get any better in any industry either. I've worked all over northern Alberta from Ft. Mac to Zama and there is always a small segment of the native population that just wants to fuck things up just to watch it all fall apart.

[–]swansoup 2 points3 points ago

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Yeah I'm here in Manitoba, and being that my sports teams and school were predominantly Native, it was very easy to tell whose families worked for a living and whose just lived off of welfare. The reserve system just screws everybody over and creates racism on both sides of the coin.

[–]ceterum 7 points8 points ago

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It's entirely understandable, however; every other group in the history of mankind that was occupied/ruled by foreigners eventually got their country back. Hell, white people in North America weren't even ruled by foreigners but rather their own countrymen and they still got independence. I can see why they're pissed off.

[–]forgottenPW4 4 points5 points ago

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Not the British. Or the Etruscans. Or the Okinawans. Or the aborigines. Or the Basques. Or the neanderthals. Or or or...

[–]NowISeeTheFunnySide 24 points25 points ago

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I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Seriously, you sound like a cool guy to hang out with. Have an upvote!

[–]AnzacNewfie 41 points42 points ago

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Cheers. Come have a drink.

[–]dweebers 2 points3 points ago

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Do you realize how cool you just sounded with that last sentence?

Yes I went off topic, but im drinking wine and smoking dope with a broken toe, so suck it up princesses.

[–]celticninja 5 points6 points ago

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Just be ready to pull him/her up if she becomes a mean kid, not doubting your parenting but peer pressure can be a bitch.

[–]brintoul 2 points3 points ago

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True, true. I've forgotten what kind of ways "meanness" can manifest itself...

So far, though, she has a "Most Loving" title to her name that she had bestowed upon her in preschool. :)

[–]ceterum 76 points77 points ago

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Sounds like an AMA...

[–]AnzacNewfie 48 points49 points ago

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AMA is up

[–]Metalcows 2 points3 points ago

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link ? :)

[–]Zorbotron 9 points10 points ago

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Hagrid?

[–]viralizate 28 points29 points ago

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I use RES to tag interesting people I come along on reddit so if I meet the I wont just scroll over their comments.

I think your tag is pretty accurate.

[–]AnzacNewfie 5 points6 points ago

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I dont know what RES means, but thanks. Cheers!!!

[–]HungryMoblin 3 points4 points ago

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[–]lhbtubajon 2 points3 points ago

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I didn't even know RES did that! Thanks!

[–]reidm 550 points551 points ago

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Here's what the writing says, to save you some time:

Bless you. You will get to the very tip top of life. I also thank you for being friendly and giving a nice smile to make someone day also that's a God send.

I wrote this Daily Confession for you. Remember when the hard time's is over doing that time the cloud of Blessing was still under your feet, always have(?) the faith in God for being nice and meek.

It's real I call myself wealthy and prosperous. I proclaim that I have the necessary finances to do everything that God has called me to do with enough in store to bless others.

"Father God I honor you by putting you first in life in my finances. Giving you my best in tithes and offerings. I thank you that you supply all of my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus, and grant the desires of my heart. You are bringing me into my wealthy place. You are opening the windows of heaven and pouring me out a blessing until it overflows. Because according to the Word of God, I declare that money cometh to the body of Christ, and money cometh to me for the sake of the gospel. I am laying a foundation, and God is pouring this word into my life.

Be cover by the blood of Jesus Christ [signature]

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 65 points66 points ago

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Thank you for taking the time to write this out. It means a lot.

[–]jonathanrdt 149 points150 points ago

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I love the sentiment...gets a little macabre at the end there.

[–]familyorfriends 287 points288 points ago

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More Catholic than macabre.

[–]ramalamatomselleck 326 points327 points ago

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tomato, tomato

[–]TheBevans 213 points214 points ago

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Hah! In my head I heard this as:

tomato, tomato

[–]Duckism 63 points64 points ago

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who the hell say tomato anyways... I think so far I have only encounter one person ever in my life that say tomato.... typing it out really helps clearing the confusion.

[–]khamul 40 points41 points ago

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Yeah, I definitely pronounce it tomato. Haven't met anyone who's said tomato except when saying tomato as well.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points ago

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But why is it potato and not potato?

[–]khamul 53 points54 points ago

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Perhaps you could circumvent the entire pronunciation issue merely by boiling them, mashing them, or sticking them in a stew.

[–]ns1123 13 points14 points ago

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Tricksy hobbitses told us that was taters, preciousss!

[–]KlausTeachermann 9 points10 points ago

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Potatoes? Baby, you got a stew going.

[–]PhantomPumpkin 4 points5 points ago

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What's 'taters master?

[–]jonathanrdt 2 points3 points ago

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isn't it obvious?

[–]celticninja 2 points3 points ago

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You got them the wrong way round.

[–]Mykkkkkk 8 points9 points ago

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I fucking hate you right now, I am so confused.

[–]pyrotechie83 28 points29 points ago

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weird... i heard it as "tomato, tomato"

[–]MEGAFUCKER 32 points33 points ago

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[–]jamescagney 2 points3 points ago

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Let's call the whole thing off.

[–]bvilleneuve 66 points67 points ago

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When religious language is used honestly and not manipulatively, it can be quite beautiful.

[–]celticninja 40 points41 points ago

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The point here is that the giver genuinely believes the setiment behind the words.

[–]funknut 18 points19 points ago

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Bless you for seeing the beauty in being covered in the blood of Christ.

[–]postslikeagirl 2 points3 points ago

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Thank you for so succinctly phrasing the point I want to get across to all of reddit's vehement atheists

[–]The_Swazzler 625 points626 points ago

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That's awesome. Your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant.

[–]Indicia 55 points56 points ago

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"Picture it. High school. 2009. A sweet, smiling girl prepares to receive her diploma..."

[–]jthomason4 48 points49 points ago

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And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew, you would see the biggest gift would be from me... (Or that Janitor you befriended in High School.)

[–]seraphius 15 points16 points ago

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and the card attached would say...

[–]SpoonDogg 16 points17 points ago

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Thank you for being a friend.

[–]modivate 2 points3 points ago

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Doooooooo, doo doo dooooooooo, doo doo dooooooooooo.

[–]clairdelynn 116 points117 points ago

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upvote for GG reference

[–]Mr_Randy_Watson 111 points112 points ago

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I'm pretty sure GG Allin never said that.

[–]mofoshorepatrol 32 points33 points ago

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Damn! Beat me to it, you scumfuck.

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points ago

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scumfuc*

[–]mab6bf 82 points83 points ago

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Thank you for being a friend

[–]heybebeh88 49 points50 points ago

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travel down the road and back again....

[–]pdmcmahon 19 points20 points ago

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Damn it, now I have the Golden Girls theme song in my head.

[–]greenRiverThriller 6 points7 points ago

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[–]sunghan 46 points47 points ago

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Reminds me of my elementary school's janitor, Tom. He was an awesome guy. We'd always trade candies and snacks with each other. Seems childish now, but I would always go to school early so I can see what I could trade for. It made my mornings just that more exciting. I found out in High School that he passed away from cancer. RIP, Tom.

[–]bukojuice 16 points17 points ago

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Seems childish now

Nope, by today's standards he seems like a creep interacting with children. :(

[–]newwife 253 points254 points ago*

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I used to talk to my elementary school janitor all the time; my father was a fuckfaced loser in prison, so this man was like a father figure to me. I made sure to speak to him everyday, help him with cleaning, and I'll always remember his happy, smiling face.

My dad got out of prison eventually and sexually molested me. I was taken away from the city and to this day, I wonder how the janitor is doing, if he's still alive (he must have been in his 50's at the time, 10 years ago). I only remember his first name :( He probably wouldn't even remember me but I'd always wanted to thank him for being such a happy guy, if that makes sense at all.

Edit: thanks so much for all your kind words. I've left a message with the school with my name and information and they said they would try their best to forward them. Oddly enough, there is a secretary that works there who remembers me, and started crying when she realized who was on the phone. I may just take the 7 hour trip to visit.

Edit 2: Not sure if any of you will see this, but I received a response from the principle of my former school. I'll hope for the best!

[newwife],

I don’t know of a custodian named Charlie. Our school is not is session right now; however, when they return I can ask some teachers that have been here awhile who might know if he is still in the district. It is good to know what a difference he made in your life. It makes us realize that it is not just teachers who can make the difference here at school. Thank you for emailing, and if I can find out any further information when school begins, I will let you know.

Judy

[–]underthesea61 215 points216 points ago

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I guarantee you that he remembers you fondly.

[–]bay_wolf 57 points58 points ago

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Call the school you were at and see if they can get you his contact information. I'm sure they keep records for most of the employees.

[–]MarkByers 67 points68 points ago

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I'm sure they keep records for most of the employees.

Yes. And I'm also sure they don't give them out to the general public.

[–]neonic 94 points95 points ago

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They can forward the OP's info to the janitor though.

[–]bay_wolf 12 points13 points ago

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This is the best piece of advice I've read in this thread. I hadn't even though about that as a solution.

[–]WoodzEX 5 points6 points ago

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But they could hand a phone number on to the Janitor.

[–]evilpeter 3 points4 points ago

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No, but they could forward newwife's info along to him.

[–]BioSpock 6 points7 points ago

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This would really make me happy if you did this and make you even happier. Please let us know how it goes if you decide to call up to the school

[–]gregfitz 14 points15 points ago

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This honestly made me tear up... I love those "two ships passing in the night" kinds of relationships that may only last for a little while but have big impacts on our lives. Who knows? Maybe you were the closest thing this guy ever had to a son.

[–]newwife 9 points10 points ago

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Daughter :) I do remember him telling me that I am like one of his grandchildren. That memory just popped up...thank you!

[–]whatwasmyoldpassword 21 points22 points ago

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Thank you for sharing. I've got a mailman to say hi to.

[–]ravemaster7 36 points37 points ago

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You just want a free painting ;)

[–]ErikF 57 points58 points ago

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The fact that your kindness affected him enough that he would paint something for you is pretty remarkable. I say to heck with the naysayers, it shows you have already made a good start at doing this whole living a decent life thing.

Plus it is a pretty great example of outsider art.

[–]BlanketsAndBlankets 24 points25 points ago

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The term "outsider art" has always bugged me. Outside of what? It's all art.

I understand the meaning of it, but it always just struck me as a term coined by artists and critics in the spirit of "Aw look, he thinks he can make an art too, how cute."

[–]spirus 8 points9 points ago

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Outside of the mores of the "Art World" and artist/gallery/collector scene is how I've always viewed it. I agree there can be a condescending angle to it, but I don't think that's the only interpretation.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points ago

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Outsider art tends to be folk art soaked in mental illness.

[–]haste75 77 points78 points ago

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What does the text say? It's quite hard to read as it is

[–]zjbird 105 points106 points ago

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Copied from reidm in another comment:

Bless you. You will get to the very tip top of life. I also thank you for being friendly and giving a nice smile to make someone day also that's a God send.

I wrote this Daily Confession for you. Remember when the hard time's is over doing that time the cloud of Blessing was still under your feet, always have(?) the faith in God for being nice and meek.

It's real I call myself wealthy and prosperous. I proclaim that I have the necessary finances to do everything that God has called me to do with enough in store to bless others.

"Father God I honor you by putting you first in life in my finances. Giving you my best in tithes and offerings. I thank you that you supply all of my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus, and grant the desires of my heart. You are bringing me into my wealthy place. You are opening the windows of heaven and pouring me out a blessing until it overflows. Because according to the Word of God, I declare that money cometh to the body of Christ, and money cometh to me for the sake of the gospel. I am laying a foundation, and God is pouring this word into my life.

Be cover by the blood of Jesus Christ [signature]

[–]Entropiestromstaerke 117 points118 points ago

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You will get to the very tip top of life.

Does #1 on reddit count?

[–]SilentGrass 42 points43 points ago

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Practically.

[–]kitchenpatrol 39 points40 points ago

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reddit: the very tip top of life

/new slogan

[–]Mackinstyle 18 points19 points ago

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This is way better than the "voice of the Internet" crap.

[–]jeaguilar 5 points6 points ago

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It's "the front page of the Internet" currently.

[–]thatsmysideboob 12 points13 points ago

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just the tip

[–]burneroftrees 10 points11 points ago

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Of course, what else could he possibly be referring to? Big house, healthy kids, beautiful wife? Doubt it..

[–]jaggazz 28 points29 points ago

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I don't want to be that guy, but I am calling bullshit since this was signed by 2 people.

A pastor and a Professor....

Unless they pull double duty in your school, OP is lying about who gave them this picture...

[–]quotesthething 27 points28 points ago

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You guys think I'm just some untouchable peasant? Serf? Peon? Huh? Maybe so, but following a broom around after shitheads like you for the last 8 years, I've learned a couple of things. I look through your letters. I look through your lockers. I listen to your conversations. You don't know that but I do. I am the eyes and ears of this institution, my friends.

[–]Provenzer0 8 points9 points ago

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upvote for Breakfast Club reference.

[–]willthewinner 407 points408 points ago

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Yeah. sweet. Unless that painting is of you in your wedding dress leaning on the trapdoor into his basement.

just saying.

sweet though.

[–]TheMole171 37 points38 points ago

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Actually that symbol means it's a Sacred Heart Network school - the girls wear white dresses at graduation instead of robes.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 15 points16 points ago

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Thanks for explaining :) I thought I had replied to this, but I don't see it coming up.

[–]BlueChristmasLights 214 points215 points ago

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Come on, give him some credit. It must have taken him at least three hours to finish the shading on her upper lip.

[–]Indyhouse 44 points45 points ago

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Gosh!

[–]backflip10019 8 points9 points ago

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And then he solved an almost impossible algebraic graph theory problem.

[–]Astronauts 19 points20 points ago

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As a janitor myself, this warms my heart. You done good.

[–]creiss74 12 points13 points ago

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We janitors got to stick together. First order of business is taking back the j-word. That's our word. Only we can say it.

[–]Osiris32 26 points27 points ago

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I used to talk to the janitor when I was in junior high. I thought he was a cool guy, he played guitar a lot and we used to talk music. Everyone else thought I was weird for talking to him, however they changed their minds during the 8th grade graduation ceremony. The Janitor, Tech Ed teacher, and Comp Sci teacher all got up, put on long wigs, and ripped out a rendition of Machine Head that blew everyone away. There's a lesson here, folks, even those in "menial" jobs are still people, with talents, skills, desires, wishes, and experiences. Talk to them, you may find something interesting.

[–]none_shall_pass 12 points13 points ago

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The really funny part is that the janitor has life figured out. Unlike the students, who will spend the next several decades trying to get through school, only to find out they're both in-debt and unemployable.

The janitor has a job that pays well, is relatively secure and most likely comes with a retirement package. It's low stress and he gets to have regular hours and a life.

Students would do well to look at everybody they meet in life and estimate how happy and/or stressed out they really are, and use that to guide their own life.

[–]hanofgreengables 15 points16 points ago

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This is awesome! I went to a Sacred Heart school too!

[–]keefesensei 7 points8 points ago

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me too :D, did you have to sing coeur de jesu? lololl

[–]hanofgreengables 3 points4 points ago

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Yes, we always got in trouble for yelling the "de mon Sacre-Coeur" part instead of actually singing it.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 4 points5 points ago

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This brought back so many... memories. I just lol'd hard.

[–]Entette 3 points4 points ago

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We would do the same thing! It was muttering the whole time and then just a roar of a terribly accented SACRE CURRR

[–]CakeKate 3 points4 points ago

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Me too! Nobody had any idea how to pronounce the French. It was terrible when they tried to make us sing the second verse by memory for special occasions. Did you have to wear uniforms? Mine was black watch plaid.

[–]Entette 2 points3 points ago

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Ours was black watch plaid too! Forest Ridge up in Bellevue/Seattle in Washington!

[–]Yoshmaster 3 points4 points ago

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Oh god did everyone have to sing noels?

[–]kiwi_goalie 2 points3 points ago

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AWWW YEAH SACRED HEART. Went rippin through the comments as soon as I saw the symbol.

[–]chimarya 778 points779 points ago

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People forget that no matter what you do for a living - each of us is a human being and have hidden gifts. That was kind of you to befriend him. An amazing heartfelt gift. Thanks for sharing your story.

[–]Tsujigiri 39 points40 points ago

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"No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem."

-Booker T. Washington

[–]gyelle9 18 points19 points ago

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first thought: that's absurd. there is so much more dignity in tilling a field than in writing a poem.

i know, i know. that was just what first came to mind.

[–]SirSandGoblin 56 points57 points ago*

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the implication here being that being a janitor is not a good thing to do for a living edit: well that resulted in quite a big debate considering my comment was intended as a casual jokey kind of throwaway nothingness!

[–]Tsujigiri 12 points13 points ago

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More that society would commonly see it as such. Our own personal perceptions will vary.

[–]JavaLSU 631 points632 points ago

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That was kind of you to befriend him.

I don't know if you realize just how condescending that is.

If he is truly a human being like the rest of us. Talking to him isn't an act of kindness. It's just two people having a conversation

[–]saintdog 184 points185 points ago

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Theoretically, that's true. I wish that were true. But when you factor in little things like social norms, and consider that one of these people was a high school student with her own pressures on how to behave and one was a janitor. . . It was a nice thing to do. In an ideal world, it would just be two people having a conversation, just two friends, just an ordinary thing, but we unfortunately don't live in awesome sunshine happy ideal land.

[–]illiterati 45 points46 points ago

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It's been 19 years since I graduated high school (ouch) and I still remember our handyman, whom I guess in America would be a janitor. His name was Andy, he was really cool, spoke a lot with all of the students and carried the same sort of authority as given to a teacher. If you were messing with something, you knew you didn't want him to see, because he was the one who would have to fix it.

[–]Nackles 46 points47 points ago

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That could be a cultural thing. In this country, many people don't value manual laborers.

[–]Arbusto 4 points5 points ago

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Or it could be a size of school thing.

I went to school in a rural town in Illinois, with a high school of 150 students. Our janitor/handyman, Brad, was the same as illiterati's. Super friendly guy who went out of his way for the students, but also had a good level of authority.

[–]portablebiscuit 37 points38 points ago

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Our groundskeeper's name was Willie. He explained to me once that kilts were only for day-to-day wear, and that in battle they'd don a full-length ball gown covered in sequins. Apparently the idea was to blind your opponent with luxury.

[–]Moonstrife 334 points335 points ago

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I believe the point is OP did not have to talk to the fellow, she (guessing from the picture) went out of her way to do so to make the janitor's day better. It worked.

[–]Big_Baby_Jesus 87 points88 points ago

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Nobody ever has to have a friendly conversation with anyone. You do it because it enriches your own life. I've never done someone the favor of granting them a conversation with me.

[–]LibertyShoe 82 points83 points ago

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You do it all the time, You can chose to either be friendly or rude. Im guessing the Janitor is more used to high school punks being rude, so it would be refreshing to have someone break with the norm.

[–]reddell 25 points26 points ago

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But I think the danger here is assuming that just because he's the janitor, he is some lonely under-appreciated person that desperately needs a friend. Whether it is the case or not, that assumption reveals a lot about how you view the person based on their occupation.

If it was the case it may have been better for the OP to have worded it differently like, "the really sad janitor whom everyone made fun of" or gave us some reason to feel he needed a friend other than the fact that he is a janitor.

[–]Libertyskin 10 points11 points ago

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I believe you are mistaken. That assumption reveals a lot about how the OP views other people's prejudices based upon an individuals occupation. The OP didn't feel that the janitor was a lonely under-appreciated person that desperately needed a friend because he was the janitor. The OP may have assumed that the Janitor could use a friend due to abuse and emotional neglect that others may have bestowed upon him based on his occupation and perceived social status. This is an important distinction.

[–]moarroidsplz 38 points39 points ago

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What? You've never been nice and befriended a lonely person, even if you'd rather hang out with other people? Sometimes people just need someone to listen to.

[–]aikiai 19 points20 points ago

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That's the point. Maybe you should.

[–]CharlieCharlie 20 points21 points ago

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How is taking the time to befriend someone anything but kind? That's like, the very essence of kindness.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 120 points121 points ago*

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I agree and my post wasn't meant to be self-righteous, but rather a comment on the power of reaching out to another individual, be they custodian or president. I can see though how it came off as this, but understand that wasn't my intention. Curtis' friendship greatly enriched my life - that's why I talked to him, got to know about his life, and befriended him. He gave me insight only someone with his experience can and I encouraged him to pick up painting, something he had loved to do when he was young but was told he wasn't good enough to do anything with it. The latter point was in large part why I was so touched by his gesture. Thank you for bringing this up.

[–]JavaLSU 19 points20 points ago*

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Thank you for the very cordial response. I didn't get that impression from your post. I think you and I are on the same page. When I meet new people I find that it enriches my life and not the other way around.

I've never considered meeting a wonderful person as an act of kindness. I've learned so much and gained from people that it's almost a selfish act.

People can be so wonderful and as long as people keep thinking that that the only reason to talk to a janitor is for pure kindness, we'll never get past the view that he's in a different class. Which he isn't, he's obviously a wonderful person and a great friend.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 20 points21 points ago

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Absolutely and positively agree. People are just people.

[–]thewiseal 52 points53 points ago

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Most people don't befriend service personnel, which is an unkindess. It was a kindness to befriend him.

[–]smart_ass 19 points20 points ago*

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The term selfishness would be more appropriate. People are more and more selfish with their emotions, gifts, time, and money. The number one problem of drivers on the road is selfishness. They must be there before you. They are too stupid to understand that if everyone merges logically, traffic as a whole goes faster and they do get there faster.

People are too selfish with their time and effort to walk 20 feet to return a cart to a cart corral. People are too selfish with their time to help anyone. It is sad.

[–]darkslash 37 points38 points ago

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Thats stupid. You cant possibly believe that someone who cleans the floors after school gets as much conversation as anybody else in the place. Yea hes a human, but that doesn't mean that everybody treats him like one. In an ideal world its two people having a conversation, but I don't know a single person who had conversations with our janitor everyday after school. I do know people who spoke to the hot teachers though. Welcome to reality friend.

[–]Aceofspades25 19 points20 points ago*

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I think it's kind because not many kids stop to think about the Janitor on their way out edit spelling

[–]MethLab 3 points4 points ago

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Most high school kids are in there own world. They don't see adults, especially non-teachers, on their way out of the school. The OP was different and he appreciated it.

[–]thedrew 7 points8 points ago

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I disagree it was also kind of this master of the custodial arts (or janitor if you want to be a dick about it) to take the time to befriend a student.

[–]pyrotechie83 27 points28 points ago

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It was kind of the janitor to take time to listen to some high school chick yap his ear off even though due to the (assumed) age gap, she probably had nothing interesting to tell him.

(I don't really feel this way, but I agree with you, and wanted to offer a different perspective.)

[–]tabanasher 14 points15 points ago

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In the real world, it's condescending. In my rich suburban high school bubble, a lot of kids can be truly awful to the custodial staff and befriending them (as a student) can often invite all kinds of nastiness and bullying. It's a risk for a high school kid. We have some who do it anyway and I admire those kids.

As a teacher, I have to say that the custodial people are some of the nicest and down to earth people I know - more so than many of the teachers. They do care about and want to help kids and it means a lot to them when a kid treats them like a real person. I wish it happened more.

[–]eastshores 14 points15 points ago

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I think that is 100% up to your own interpretation. I don't befriend many people in my life. I have chosen very few, and fewer have chosen me. The evolution of a friendship takes both parties. Regardless, making an effort to be kind and speak to someone, to show thoughtfulness in their reply, is indeed an act of kindness. I'm sorry you don't see things that way.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points ago

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Maybe the Janitor was being kind by talking to some annoying high school girl.

[–]Babyrolls 8 points9 points ago

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Why is the top comment always some banal observation like the one Chimarya made? I don't know why so many users have upvoted a statement that makes even a Hallmark card look insightful.

[–]BeeCDN 5 points6 points ago

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You're a Sacred Heart girl! Me too. Although the janitor at my school wasn't exactly what you'd call 'sociable' - He hated chatting to us!

[–]bunckachunk 7 points8 points ago

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Sacred Heart Schools baby!!!

[–]f1zombie 26 points27 points ago

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Good going my friend. I always try to talk to as many people I can, and it adds to my understanding and awareness of the world we live in.

Incidentally what does the text at the bottom right say?

[–]Jonesty 69 points70 points ago

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it's a recipe for muffins

[–]biqqie 36 points37 points ago

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yeeeeeeeeeeee. muuffiiinsss

[–]bigpoppalake 10 points11 points ago

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honey, we suck at parenting

[–]histumness 5 points6 points ago

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UND KEINE EIER!

[–]f1zombie 2 points3 points ago

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Excellent! As a return favor you should bake him a batch and totally make his day :)

I like Reddit - one instance it destroys my faith in humanity and the next it makes me appreciate it even more!

[–]bunckachunk 11 points12 points ago

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Sacred Heart Schools baby!!! Which one is this?

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 2 points3 points ago

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Oh hayyyy there! Villa Duchesne in St. Louis. How 'bout you?

[–]Kijamon 5 points6 points ago

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What a good egg you are

[–]degc75 5 points6 points ago

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good on you for treating everyone with diginity and respect.

[–]desquibnt 5 points6 points ago

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My school rotated janitors up through the schools so they'd always be with the same groups of kids. When I was in elementary school, one of the janitors was a younger guy that would come out and play football with us during recess. By the time we all got to high school, he was practically a father figure to us all.

i think it's a bit easier to understand kids and be cool to them when you're watching them grow up instead of cleaning up messes for 4th graders every day for 20 years. I'd imagine it'd be easier to get bitter that way.

[–]Vandii 4 points5 points ago

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I did that as well. During my last year of highschool, while restocking the vending machines, the school custodian would take a couple bags of chips out and pass them along to me during my spares. At one point he really enjoyed Adele's new song, so I went out and got him her new CD and dropped it off at the janitor's closet for him. Everyone looked at me a little funny when I told them that the CD was for him, usually replying to me with comments such as "Wow, you talk to the custodian? Why?". Yet this man was probably one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met at school: he once went out to the garbage disposal in the school parking lot to help my friend find the watch that he accidentally dropped into a garbage bin, and he was more than happy to help. Most people in school generally shun the janitors or custodians, but even giving them a smile or a "good morning" is sometimes enough.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 2 points3 points ago

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I understand what you mean; I got the same kind of response.

[–]Grimsterr 4 points5 points ago

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My granddad subbed for our janitor when he was out sick (not often). So due to that I often spoke to the janitor since, there were times the janitor was my opa. When we got lockers in 6th grade (k-9 was the grades the school had) my lock was a Master lock and my granddad gave me his "master" key, it opened -every padlock lock- in the school.

Some mischief was had due to this, nothing too out there or over the top bad. Also if a teacher lost her supply closet key or left it at home, she could have me open it instead of calling in the janitor to do it for her.

The janitor lived in a small house next to the playground, I'd often go over there and sit on his porch if he was taking a break and shooting the breeze with him, once in a while if he was doing something he could use a hand with he'd come get me out of class to help him. Once I got to drive with him to a nearby school to pick up some chairs for some assembly and missed every class from lunch on. Good times.

No point to the story other than ya know, be nice to people, it costs you nothing to be nice and you never know what rewards it may bring.

[–]rfshunt 5 points6 points ago

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My god, memories are flooding over me.

I worked one summer, between junior and senior years, at my high school. Cleaning, sanding desks, moving furniture. I got the job because there was some illness in the family and the money helped. I worked alongside the janitors, and one of them was Bill.

You work next to man for any length of time and you get to know him. Bill had, I don't know how else to put this, a funny smell. He also had a weary smile and an affable way. He got to know about my family, and I got to know about his, and the reason for that odor.

Bill had nine kids by two marriages. And he was determined to send every one of those kids to college. The funny smell? It came from getting up at 2:30am to work a full shift as a garbageman before coming in to work another 8 hours as a janitor at the school. On Friday and Saturday nights, he worked as a bartender. He was, by god, going to send every one of his kids to school.

That next year, my senior year, like POOLS-CLOSED I also made sure to say hello to Bill every afternoon. I had to seek him out, because he shied away from the crowded hallways. He knew he smelled like the garbage truck. But I would find him.

The day of my graduation, he was at the school, working as usual. He found me this time, pulled me aside and led me into the basement room where the janitors hung out.

And he handed me a box, gift-wrapped.

"What's this?"

"Its for you, for your graduation"

There was nice shirt inside, a dress shirt. Of all the emotions a person can have, I think I had half of them all at once. I was touched, and moved, and surprised and grateful. But I also thought about how hard that man worked for his money, and that he just.....shouldn't.....have.

It's been years since I've thought about Bill. And seeing so many of you telling your stories of the graciousness of being simply, beautifully kind brought it back. I can't think of a better way to be reminded.

[–]StunningRunt 27 points28 points ago

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Nice. Treating people well pays benefits, real life karma.

[–]Bluelegs 24 points25 points ago

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Like karma is a thing outside reddit.

[–]SortaBeta 14 points15 points ago

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It's in Fallout too.

[–]mapguy 8 points9 points ago

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Fallout 1, 3 and New Vegas as well.

[–]SortaBeta 7 points8 points ago

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Ohh youu

[–]Skilleto 12 points13 points ago

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Treat people well, aquire paintings.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]mcsquare 10 points11 points ago

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Academy of the Sacred Heart? Tres bien.

[–]Yoshmaster 2 points3 points ago

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Defiantly a Sacred Heart school I would recognize that logo anywhere.

[–]bayareatrojan 2 points3 points ago

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There are several Sacred Heart schools throughout the country. I wonder which one OP went to.

[–]POOLS_CLOSED[S] 3 points4 points ago

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Merci beaucoup! Villa Duchesne in St. Louis.

[–]lynzee 10 points11 points ago

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Made me tear up. It feels good to know that both of you are such nice people :)

[–]batsam 11 points12 points ago

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Upvote for Sacred Heart schools!

[–]Sablerage 7 points8 points ago

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Janitors dont usually have names, did you get his name? I learn most of my life lessons from scrubs... (forever alone)

[–]Thamesbeat 9 points10 points ago

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Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith?

[–]Alacritous 2 points3 points ago

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Dale Carnegie would be proud.

[–]jessaschlitt 3 points4 points ago

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HOLD THE PHONE, IS THIS AT VILLA DUCHESNE IN ST. LOUIS?!

[–]arc309 4 points5 points ago

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How can 11,500 people downvote this?

[–]doitlive 7 points8 points ago

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Pretty good little map of the earth there.

[–]CynicalCowSaysMeh 3 points4 points ago

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Seems people always underrate the importance of a smile and a quick chat. Name the last time you can remember that someone smiling at you and asking about your day didn't make it better?

[–]SavageOrc 2 points3 points ago

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There are interesting people in all walks of life. Sometimes people arrive janitor-type jobs by choice or by circumstance - people like that usually have good stories. In fact, I don't think that I've ever met anyone who was compelling that didn't have a few scars.

[–]mainsworth 2 points3 points ago

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Can you transcribe his note or is it personal?

[–]otistbass 2 points3 points ago

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Wonderful, you have a very kind heart. I bet you were the bright spot of his day. I assume he was from another country?

[–]garrygra 2 points3 points ago

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That's fucking awesome man, it's awesome how much he seems to value friendship, which is a rare thing. Do you think you could type out the message on the right hand corner? I can read a bit and it's awesome but I have terrible eyesight.

[–]RyanWasRight 2 points3 points ago

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Wow. That's awesome. He will remember that (as will you) for the rest of his life. "Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends." Yeats

[–]GodOfAtheism 2 points3 points ago

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We have a shuttle bus and a security guard at my job. I chat up the driver and at least one of the security guards all the time. Usually light political stuff. Shuttle driver is more in my mindset, bit more pragmatic, great guy though. Security guard is an older guy, ex-military, thinks kids should learn cursive, and that computer skills should be imparted Junior/senior year of high school. I'm inclined to disagree with him, but we're respectful about it, and I'm sure he wouldn't refuse me if I bought him a beer sometime.

The point? Just because your job isn't glamorous doesn't mean you're less of a person or are retarded.

[–]xnorange 2 points3 points ago

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erhrmmmm they prefer "custodian". It's all just a title though, and I could care less :P You must have been very nice to that man.

Custodian for over 2 years :)

[–]something_geeky 2 points3 points ago

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4866 down votes? Am I missing something here?

[–]Roflzilla 2 points3 points ago

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How on earth can anyone downvote this? I mean, seriously...

[–]mightyknothead 2 points3 points ago

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I always made a point to do this in high school. I still do it today at work. I pass this old man shuffling down the hallway emptying garbage cans and think, "If I can make his day just a little better, it's worth it."

[–]bunsofcheese 2 points3 points ago

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I learned while working at Starbucks (of all places) that it's just so much easier to be nice to people than it is to be angry/confrontational/apathetic/etc...they require much more work, and the payoff isn't nearly as satisfying.

[–]TecK415 2 points3 points ago

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when i was in middle school I found a porn vid in the dumpster on how to correctly have anal sex. My janitor unlocked one of the class rooms and watched it with me and my friends. he was a cool dude.

wait, that sounds weird.

[–]CuRhesusZn 2 points3 points ago

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Painting's dated 2009. Have you ever been back to talk to the janitor?

[–]theDudeRules 2 points3 points ago

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It's very cool to receive something so original from a real person living a real life. No phony existence of a life. Sorry, this made me get all "Holden Caufield" on you.

[–]Kwikfast213 2 points3 points ago

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This will never get read, but the care-taker at my primary was funny as hell. We always used to talk to him about his war stories and what not. I remember once we found a porno mag and left it just outside his little shed asif it had blown there, we were hiding away and saw him pick it up and take it inside. Many lols were had.

[–]balletboot 2 points3 points ago

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My boyfriend was a janitor at a high school. The kids were complete dicks to him. They forget that these people just are regular people with jobs, not sub-par humans or their mothers cleaning up after them.

On behalf of my boyfriend, thank you for not being a dick.

[–]shrooq 2 points3 points ago

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Wonder how depressed he's been since you left.

[–]ReverendDizzle 2 points3 points ago

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When I was a kid there was a janitor named Mark in my school. Mark was mentally challenged in some way... functional enough to have an adult life but impaired enough that he was obviously mentally handicapped even under the casual observations a child would make.

I always had as soft spot for him because I've got a strong protector/guardian streak (even if the person I'm protecting is much older than me as was the case with Mark). I'd beat down kids for harassing him, put people in their place for talking shit about him, etc.

I remember one day I went into the bathroom and he was in there cleaning, listening to the top 40 station on his little portable radio, and dancing his heart out. When I came in he froze and acted totally ashamed like I was going to make fun of him. I'm the least dance inclined white guy you could ever meet... but I danced my fucking heart out right along with him. I've never seen a man so happy in my life. We were best buds from then on.