17 Casual Encounter Stories That Could Be the Main Scene of a Hollywood Movie

Every day of our life happens in the midst of other people. Whether we go out to have fun at night or just visit the supermarket, we inevitably run into people along the way. And although we don’t even exchange glances with most of these people, with others we end up creating a “mini bond” capable of being remembered for the rest of our existence.

O awesome.club scoured Reddit and found many reports of significant chance encounters with strangers. Take the time to read through the accounts below, as after that, it’s quite possible that you’ll be more open to what might happen when the next stranger crosses your path.

When I was a freshman in high school, I went on a field trip with my class to a small art festival downtown. At the time, my life was difficult: I had no real friends and was very withdrawn. I saw how the other kids enjoyed it, buying fun things with their parents’ money, while I had nothing to spend. I must have had an expression of sadness, because at one point, an elderly gentleman called me to approach his stall. He carved pieces of wood, and said he was saving a very special one for the right person. When he saw me, the man said he knew I was that person. After that he smiled at me and told me to keep the piece as it would bring luck. It’s been almost 40 years, and I still think about him all the time. I still have the gift you gave me, and yes, it brought me very good luck. 🙂 © xenedra0 / Reddit I’ve spent a lot of time being pauper. I hadn’t eaten for about four days when a woman, whom I never saw again, approached me and gave me a McDonald’s bag and $250 in cash. She just said “be strong”, and left without looking back. I didn’t even get a chance to thank her, but I can guarantee that it wouldn’t be all right if she didn’t eat that day. She saved my life, and I could never thank her. © unsure_dot_com/ Reddit

Once, in a supermarket, I saw a woman in the frozen aisle. I’m not sure why, but she caught my eye. Turning a corner, I saw a man and I thought, for some reason, “This guy looks perfect for the woman I just saw.” So, after a second, I turned to see if they would cross paths with each other by chance. Instead, however, I saw that he had approached her and that they were talking. In fact, they were already a couple! Sometimes I think about them… What made me think they would be perfect together? © Lost_Letterhead4854 / Reddit I went for a run early in the morning (around 5am) and passed a man hammering a tree. He wasn’t preaching anything, he was just literally hitting the tree with a hammer. Without thinking, I stopped to watch him, intrigued. Then he turned to me with a totally weird, almost non-human expression, slowly raising his hammer. I ran out. I never saw him again. © Autobirota / Reddit

A man came to the store where I worked and asked me what excursions he could take in the area. Being an avid hiker, I put together a list of places that I thought he should visit while he was in town. A few days later, this man returned. He brought me a beautiful drawing of one of the places I had pointed out as my favorites. © HamMcK / RedditFor a while, I worked handing out flyers for an establishment. I stayed outside with the security people, and I talked to whoever passed by. At that, a woman looking to be about 40 years old, who was very similar to me, only older, passed in front of me, stopped and came back, saying that I looked familiar. We had a long conversation, and I realized that we had very similar tastes and interests. Before she left, she gave me some advice on things, and I still have it written down somewhere. I have always wondered if I have met my future self. © vaeluxe / Reddit Once, while turning my car around, I hit another vehicle and damaged its rear panel. I was 20 years old and broke, so I spent the whole week freaking out, waiting for the owner of the car to give me a quote for the repair. Anyway, he called me saying that the repair would cost 1,200 dollars (R$ 6,700), but before I was able to assimilate that number, the man said: “You know what? You seem like a nice guy, and that’s certainly a lot of money for you. So let’s just let it go.” I deeply thanked him. © RhymesWithGeorge / Reddit

When I was in elementary school, I fell into freezing water. A man walking his dog saw me and ran to the edge. I swam frantically there. It was only 5m but it was very difficult because my winter clothes were soaking wet. When I got to the water’s edge, the man pulled me out, pulling me by my coat. I would have a hard time getting out on my own as the ravine was quite steep. I didn’t thank him, I was in shock. Twenty years later, I still think I should have said thank you. © Omenaa / RedditI was in line for the bus and started talking to a very handsome man. We got on the bus, sat next to each other and talked all the way. He was fun and attentive, and we even flirted a little. Even though we both knew we were just passing the time, the frankness and spontaneity of our conversation really impressed me. We didn’t exchange phone numbers or anything, we just wished each other the best when he dropped in at a point before mine. I don’t even remember his name, and I certainly wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him, but I still remember the feeling when talking to him. Although it doesn’t make sense, in a way I miss him. © Bastabastacosi / Reddit

When I was at school, there was a homeless stranger who used to hang out at the local library. He would approach my friend and me to tell the weirdest things. The man had a small notebook full of attached notes and folded maps. I should have written more about those strange acquaintances. © Flameofthegrave / Reddit When I was 16 and waiting at the bus stop, an unknown man came up to me and started talking to me. He said that I should leave the country to live in Asia, that there were many opportunities there. Then he got on a bus, and I never saw him again. About ten years later, I traveled to Japan and met a local karate teacher who offered to teach me the technique. I ended up staying, learned karate, married a wonderful Japanese woman, had kids and bought an apartment in Tokyo. © apeliott / Reddit

What kind of attitude taken by unknown people usually catches your attention? What was the most curious chance encounter you’ve ever had, and why do you remember it to this day? Comment!