What in the world is the 100 dollar hug?
Since 2015, I have been giving random kind and loving people a one hundred dollar bill because of the positive energy that they share with the world.
THe bigger question is why?
For whatever reason, I have a generous heart and a giving spirit. I think it’s because of my family.
My grandma would not only give me a ton of love but she would also send me random checks for $100 while I was in high school and college. One hundred dollars went a long way back then and really helped me enjoy life a little bit more.
My mom and dad have always been there for me as well. They have always helped me when I was in need and are also full of generosity and joy…and taught me to share kindness with the world. I’d say they taught me well.
So, I want to give back to those who create joy in the world with their positive energy. A few of their stories are below. Enjoy.
Hertz Bus Driver @ LAX
This was my first hundred dollar hug. I don’t remember his name but he was so positive even though he’s a bus driver circling the LAX terminals day after day after day…after day.
He almost cried. It made his day. He said that he really needed one hundred dollars during some challenges he was going through at the moment.
February 2015
Housekeeper @ Flamingo Las Vegas
María from El Salvador.
I had clogged up the toilet and felt bad but she said it was all OK. No worries. She was so funny and nice about clogging up a toilet.
She said she was going to put the money towards her granddaughter’s college fund. She’s 11 right now. I hope it helps her get into a good school!
1 July 2015
Janitor @ Planet Hollywood
Worku from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
I just felt for him since his life brought him down this path of becoming a janitor…in Las Vegas.
After I told him what I was doing, he was so excited and happy. He had to call on his mic to tell other workers and share the good news. It definitely made his night and made me feel really good about getting a hundred dollar hug from a janitor.
homeless man @ in-n-out burger
Robert Kevin is his name.
My first hundred dollar hug from a homeless man.
He initially asked if I had change to spare when I was walking from In N Out to Jersey Mike’s Subs...I decided I wanted a sandwich and then I thought why not split it with Robert Kevin. So I did.
We had lunch together and had a wonderful conversation about how crazy the world is.
He said that he was pretty happy being homeless and that he makes the most of it even though he’s in a wheel chair with only one foot. We both agreed that he is probably happier than some of the wealthiest people on the planet. I shared with him my philosophy that every human being deserves food, shelter, health care and education then after that happens, the ultra wealthy can be ultra wealthy.
We ended up chatting about where he has lived...Georgia, Brazil, Panama, now Southern California. He met a girl in DC and she taught him Portuguese and they ended up moving down to Rio together. I gave him a Sumo orange, some water and refilled my Jersey Mike’s cup with Pepsi for him.
Then, I gave him the hundred dollar bill.
He said, “Are you serious?!”
I said yes but my only requirements were that he give me a hug and that he wouldn’t spend it on drugs. He said he was going to use it to fix his tent and make it waterproof. He then asked for another hug. Of course I gave him one. I think he needed that.
When I got in the car, “Love Song” by Tesla was playing. Wow. I hope he finds love from others. I cried.
housekeeper @ hilton glendale
So nice! She genuinely wanted to make sure everything was perfect. She said I was an angel sent down from heaven.
March 2015
National Bus driver @ LAX
Only a $10 hug but she was much appreciative and still wanted to give me a hug. :)
Someday, I’m going to find her and give her $100.
19 February 2016
UBER driver in Austin
Antonio from Cuba.
Uber driver from the Hyatt to Deep Eddy Cabaret. He didn’t speak English very well but I did my best and surprisingly understood quite a lot.
He’s lived in Austin for four years, Houston for three and Las Vegas for three. Austin is his favorite.
It was his 50th birthday and while I was in the car, his wife called telling him it was time to come home and celebrate his birthday. He said that he had kept telling her, “uno mas viaje!” and that he might take one more after me.
I told him he wouldn’t have to do that because I was going to give him a hundred dollar tip and that he should go celebrate his birthday with his wife. All he had to do was give me un abrazo. He gave me three.
19 December 2018
Lyft driver to SFO
Ahmad Jawad from Afghanistan.
My Lyft driver from San Francisco to SFO after dropping off passports at the Spanish Consulate. He is from Afghanistan and has lived in the U.S. for two years. He lives in Sacramento but drives in San Francisco to make more money. He has two kids and they are his life.
He said his favorite thing about living in the United States is having a sense of peace. Can you imagine living in Afghanistan? We take peace and the simplicities of life in the U.S. for granted too often.
It was an emotional trip hearing him talk about what life was like in Afghanistan.
He gave me two hugs.
23 July 2019