1 of 2 Sandra paying the bakery bill for a stranger who had card problems Photo: Personal archives Sandra paying the bakery bill for a stranger who had card problems Photo: Personal archives
Maria da Silva, 28, had an unknown error on her debit card while paying for her groceries at a bakery. After the episode, the young woman was surprised by the action of a stranger who settled the debt. Maria shared the case on social media and found the person responsible for the payment.
In an interview with g1 This Saturday (27) Sandra said she was standing in line behind Maria and became aware of the situation. “To tell you the truth, it had to be a normal thing,” he points out. She said that paying the bill without showing any ID was the best solution she found to helping out without a fuss.
“I’ve been thinking about how I could help. I didn’t want to ask because she would say no and it might be embarrassing because there were other people in line. […] It’s embarrassing, I work in a bank and I know that sometimes the bank really blocks,” he recalls.
Sandra informed the clerk standing at the bakery checkout that she would pay the young woman’s bill. She asked the professional not to say anything to the customer, just discreetly hand her the receipt of payment. “I even wanted to see her happiness, but I left,” he says.
2 of 2 Woman thanks unknown person for paying bill at bakery after bank problems in Santos, SP Photo: Personal Archive Woman thanks unknown person for paying bill at bakery after bank problems in Santos, SP Photo : Personal archive
virtual reunion
The bank teller simply could not have imagined that the story would surface that same day. That’s because Maria publicized the case on social media. “A friend from São Paulo sent me a message and said she was sure it was me. As soon as I looked, I was like, “God in heaven, it was me.” I was happy and super excited,” she says.
According to Sandra, this friend recognized her because she knows that she lives near the bakery and is used to helping out several times.
“I’ve done it other times, whenever my heart calls for it, I do it,” he says.
She didn’t think the action would have any impact but hopes the case will serve as an inspiration for others. “It is a chain of helping others. In the end it’s about people. Regardless of who it is, what it is, what the situation is.
Sandra also says that Maria reached out to say thank you and ask her for her details to create a PIX of the account value. But the banker said she didn’t have to make the payment. “I did it because I could, and suddenly one day I could be on the other side,” he said.