A hand-written note complaining about bad parking next to a photo of a white car parked extremely close to another vehicle in a parking garage.
via Canva

I mean, look, life can present a series of predictably unpredictable pitches across the plate. For whatever reason, each of us are up to bat, and it’s really up to each of us on whether or not we face whatever it is that comes across the plate with openness, acceptance, and move from there. When it comes to putting into practice both openness and acceptance over an unexpected, potentially outright strange note that’s been left for a stranger? Let me tell you, the response can be tricky. Was the note left in wonderful passive-aggressive fashion, or was it left so as to escalate to an intense degree. Or, was it just left as a display of positive chaos introduced into someone’s day? Who knows? These notes left for strangers are fun though.

1. So, that’s an extreme random act of kindness

A handwritten note on lined paper explains returning old hubcaps, jokingly referencing a TV car show host, wishing the recipient enjoys the hubcap, and signs off as "the world's most random good Samaritan.
thatguybeezy/via reddit.com

2. “Pass it on”

A handwritten note on lined paper has the lyrics to "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, ending with “You got Rick-Rolled” and “Pass it on” written underneath.
nostaticatall/via reddit.com

3. This note screams passive-aggression

A sign on a balcony reads: "Unfortunately during meal service the balcony is a non-smoking area. We apologise for your slightly extended lifespan." Tables and chairs are visible in the background.
userdeleted/via reddit.com

4. Their car license plate is FR0D0, so a stranger handed them this note in a parking lot

A hand holds a note that reads: "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for. - Samwise Gamgee.
oneangryathiest/via reddit.com

5. I don’t even want to know what happened to cause this note to be necessary

A person in yellow pants and blue shoes stands over a toilet with a sign inside reading, "The nearest toilets are located by the IKEA Restaurant & Café," featuring the IKEA logo.
loki-l/via reddit.com

6. Their neighbor stole their package, but once they read this note, they returned it

A handwritten note on lined paper apologizes to a package thief and asks for the stolen item—a $10 heat gun—back, promising no anger. Next to the note is an unopened heat tool box on a brown carpet.
buscemi_d_sanji/via reddit.com

7. I hope there was a full-fledged debate through notes on this illegally parked dumpster

Two handwritten notes taped to a dumpster: the top says “Do not dump dog bags. Not a public trash bin”; the bottom says “Since we’re leaving notes… When is this thing gonna be moved off the street? The public street.”
thehofstetter/via reddit.com

8. The white car thinks the gray car can’t park

Top: Two cars parked closely in a parking garage, with the white car partially over the line. Bottom: A handwritten note on a windshield saying, "Learn how to park!!!" and criticizing the parking job.
comptrollermccheeze/via reddit.com

9. “My friend took a nap in his car at our university car park and woke up to this note.”

A handwritten note on crumpled white paper held between two hands. The message offers a meal and kind words, ending with "God bless you, the love is always there.
danisfun/via reddit.com

10. A firefighter left this note in their house after extinguishing a fire

A handwritten note reads: "Sorry for tracking the upstairs carpet. Needed to close windows to keep fire out! Cie." A hand holds the note over a wooden floor.
nmky77/via reddit.com

11. I was expecting something much nastier after the way this note opened up

A handwritten note on lined paper says: "Hey, you parked in my reserved spot, but it's all good in the hood. I'm just glad it's Friday, aren't you? Anyway, have a great weekend! #81.” Stickers are visible below the note.
criesnmy/via reddit.com

12. “A note left on the coaster of a local brew pub.”

A round drink coaster with a coffee ring stain on a wooden table. Handwritten text says, “Thank you, craft beer breweries, for making my drinking problem seem more like a neat hobby than alcoholism.”
neodawg/via reddit.com

13. A teacher left this note to the summer school custodians

A handwritten note taped to a projector reads: "Please leave the projector & computer plugged in. I come to the classroom in the summer to Netflix & chill by myself to escape my wife & kids! I tell them I'm 'working!' Thank you! Mr. D :)".
readingrambo17/via reddit.com

14. They should have been nicer to Malcolm, then they’d still have their package

A handwritten note on white paper reads: "Think you might have had a parcel delivery left by your side gate. Saw some gypsies pinch it. Would have stopped them if you had been nicer neighbours. Malcolm.
cubesnack/via reddit.com

15. Opening up with “You smelled so good” is never a good idea

A handwritten letter on lined yellow paper, held by a left hand. The note describes growing up on a farm, learning to work, and includes a request not to tell anyone about the letter. The handwriting is large and uneven.
rwnt/via reddit.com

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt’s caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.