So for a few days I have known that my car had been having trouble idling, to the point where I was unwilling to drive it off-campus for fear of it stalling out on the road. This morning, I decided to try and find out the problem.

Of course I know nothing about cars.

So I'm looking under the hood, while my engine has audible idling issues, when I see someone working for one of the companies UMBC (I imagine) contracts to do landscape maintenance and gardening. He's doing edging this morning, and I assume he just wants me to get out of his way.

Instead, he took 20 minutes out of his day, dropped his work, and tried to help me figure out my car troubles. Not only did he point out several issues, he gave me the number of a mechanic he had that speaks "poco [little] English but is good." That blows my mind.

This is just an example of common human decency and kindness crossing language, cultural, and social barriers. Even though I didn't catch his name, he made my day.

Thanks sir.