It isn’t normal to get too riled up over something you overhear in public, but the conversation that Michelle Icard overheard during her morning stop at Starbucks seemed to drive her to extraordinary lengths. It all begins with some venting on Facebook, noting how the girls next to her in the coffee shop were grinding her gears a bit. Soon, however, it evolved into a crusade that ended in the nicest written lesson you could possibly hope for at a Starbucks.
Icard’s complaints on FB were to keep her from voicing her displeasure right there, which is understandable. You certainly don’t want to cause a major scene and you’re not out to start a confrontation usually.
It’s something we’ve all had running through our heads at one point or another. Being the big hero in a public situation and righting wrongs. It just normally doesn’t happen and didn’t in this situation. But what did happen was actually above and beyond what most would expect, as Icard details on her blog:
I drove by the Starbucks again on my way home, and saw them still sitting in the window. I raced home, ran into my house, grabbed a note card and wrote a quick, heartfelt note.
Then I ordered three mini frappuccinos on my mobile app and headed back up to Starbucks. They were still there. I walked up to them and said, “Hi Girls. You don’t know me but it looks like you’re here studying and I wrote you a note of encouragement.” I handed them the card and walked away. (The drinks weren’t ready, but the barista agreed to delivering them for me.)
Suck it, mean girls! You’re going to slowly die from diabetic shock!
No, but it is some wayward method of turning the other cheek while also fulfilling those hero fantasies with all have. The written note, as we can see above, is a little backwards to read on its own. The message itself isn’t too bad, unless you’re completely turned off by the entire situation:
“Hi Girls!
I sat near you today in Starbucks and listened as you talked. You three are obviously pretty and hard-working. I wish your kindness matched your pretty exteriors. I heard you talk about a girl who sang a song about being lonely in the talent show – and you laughed. About a girl who couldn’t be lead singer because you got all the votes, about crappy presents other people have given you…and you sounded so mean and petty.
You are smart and you are pretty. It would take nothing from you to also be kind. – M.”
Most people might’ve thrown coffee in their faces or just drove away to go beat up a mailbox with a bat. This lady buys you Starbucks and writes you notes of inspiration. Change your ways, mean girls. This lady might write you another note and it won’t be as nice.
(Via USA Today / Michelle Icard)
