"My dad is in Peru having a meltdown over alpacas."
May 9, 2017 2:09 PM   Subscribe

 
My coworker sent this to me earlier today and I have to say, this is a pretty great list.

I think my personal faves are Norel with the selfie stick, Tipper in FL with the dog, and Ben's friend.
posted by phunniemee at 2:16 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]


Many of these are fine but I actually find number 20 extremely troubling and sad.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]


Friendly skateboarding teen is the best.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:30 PM on May 9, 2017 [59 favorites]


Humans: maddening and awful, sweet and kind, sometimes the same person on the same day. I liked nearly all of these, and for some reason the subway wine sharing is resonating.
posted by maxwelton at 2:31 PM on May 9, 2017 [10 favorites]


Tipper is from Obvious Plant but these all make me very happy
except I need to know that the poodle really was okay at the vet
posted by Countess Elena at 2:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]


And cool-jeans teens.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:33 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]


(LobsterMitten is absolutely right, that dude was excellent. I think that sort of encounter is what often turns a casual interest into a life-long passion for someone.)
posted by maxwelton at 2:34 PM on May 9, 2017 [5 favorites]


I got to number 27 before I had to run to the restroom room and have a gigglefit. Thank you, I needed this.
posted by beandip at 2:47 PM on May 9, 2017


Many of these are fine but I actually find number 20 extremely troubling and sad.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:30 PM on May 9 [+] [!]


When I was in high school, there was a similar kid, and at the request of one of my teachers, I invited him to eat with my friends and me. I had to ask him every day for a while, but he eventually joined us on his own. My friends really tried to get to know him and connect with him, including him in their lives.

Then one day, he came to school in a bright yellow Star Trek uniform, and the kids in the cafeteria went nuts, laughing, pointing, standing on chairs. It was awful, and the hell of it was that he did it because he finally felt comfortable sharing with the world something he was really passionate about.

But my friends refused to join in, and they invited him over to our table, same as always.

Today, I do some work with teenagers, and I always tell them that story, so they can be on the lookout for the kids they don't yet know, the kids on the margins, waiting to be included.

I wasn't the most popular kid in high school, but man, I wouldn't have traded those friends for anything.
posted by 4ster at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [87 favorites]


# 20, there were times I was that kid.
Good job folks.
I'm proud you're all in my community.
posted by evilDoug at 3:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [6 favorites]


#22 made me cry at work.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:59 PM on May 9, 2017


I HAVE A HUGE FINAL EXAM TOMORROW AND I NEEDED THIS SO MUCH THANK YOU THANK YOU
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 4:08 PM on May 9, 2017


the punchline makes it all worthwhile
posted by OHenryPacey at 4:08 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]


I laughed, I choked up, I felt proud of humanity, I thought how great Obama is, I smiled at a cute dog and resentful cats...this post is the one we put in the time capsule, agreed?
posted by billiebee at 4:09 PM on May 9, 2017 [17 favorites]


I think I would have the same reaction as alpaca dad. (burrows into blanket)
posted by batter_my_heart at 4:10 PM on May 9, 2017


Aww, #8, cool skateboarding teen, makes me teary.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:12 PM on May 9, 2017 [14 favorites]


All of those were great but aw, #8 is so wonderful. Love it when big kids look out for the little kids.

Also, I want to be friends with 4ster's friends.
posted by vignettist at 4:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [8 favorites]


This is a great list. I'm so tired today but this cheered me up. Thanks for sharing.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]




Skateboarding teen is just the best, just right on people.

A pluses all around.
posted by Doleful Creature at 6:15 PM on May 9, 2017


Sorry to burst any bubbles, but the Tipper B/Florida one is a joke from Obvious Plant.
posted by borkencode at 6:29 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]


borkencode, if we have to have fake news anyway, let's embrace "dude goes to Florida to meet a dog", says I. Beats "her emails" by a coal-country mile.
posted by maxwelton at 6:46 PM on May 9, 2017 [9 favorites]


Was hoping to see selfie-stick review guy, was not disappointed.
posted by mhum at 7:13 PM on May 9, 2017


#4 perpetrates a dangerous myth. Most Alpacas do not want to be touched especially by strangers and kick like mules. They also hate cats so don't bring your cat cause they'll kick both your asses. Like get in formation and let's stomp that fucker we hate cats. They don't want to chase it off. They want to kill it.

#5 reminds me that for some reason Alpacas prefer Poodles to other types of dogs. They tolerate our other two dogs but Poodle can eat their kibble and nap with the babies. It's a head scratcher alright.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 7:18 PM on May 9, 2017 [4 favorites]


#28 always makes me think immediately of the poor kid who was next in line, and had to follow the pope baby. womp womp.
posted by fuzzypantalones at 8:52 PM on May 9, 2017


As I recall mom's text that Kanye is holding was originally not very uplifting. Changing it detracts from the original joke, but is worth it to maintain the "no bummers" theme of the photo set.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 9:04 PM on May 9, 2017


Those guys are definitely not sharing wine.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 11:13 PM on May 9, 2017


This is the first time I've ever read a metafilter thread and thought, "I shouldn't have read the comments."
posted by thebrokedown at 12:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]


Thank you for this post! This is exactly my jam at the moment.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:14 AM on May 10, 2017


#5 reminds me that for some reason Alpacas prefer Poodles to other types of dogs. They tolerate our other two dogs but Poodle can eat their kibble and nap with the babies. It's a head scratcher alright.

Well, their coats are both on the curly/fuzzy side. Maybe they think poodles are baby alpacas?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]


In case any of you are looking for more of this, and aren't entirely allergic to reddit, most of these are from /r/wholesomememes.
posted by 256 at 5:03 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


Maybe they think poodles are baby alpacas?

I was pretending to be ignorant. I think something like that is going on and it's pretty funny to watch.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 5:14 AM on May 10, 2017


If this is the feel good thread

my name is cow
and wen she sits
benethe the stall
withe tiny kit

I hav no hands
withe which to pat
I use mye tung
I lik the cat


my name is cat
and with tha kit
In front of stall
we lyk to sit

I feel her tongue
I say meow
I have a fren
Her name is cow

posted by Tarumba at 6:10 AM on May 10, 2017 [40 favorites]


omg that is the best thing ever, Tarumba. Thank you.
posted by Stewriffic at 6:15 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]


19 MeFites who were a total buzzkill in the feel-good thread. #4 will shock you!
posted by bondcliff at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]


#20 to me is very, very sweet. Some teens saw a kid who needed friends and so they stepped up and discovered that the kid is really sweet and nice. They not only now have a nice, new friend, they have a nice, new friend who bakes...and that, dear readers, is the jackpot.
posted by cooker girl at 6:59 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]


Ok, I never ever get teary at this kind of stuff but #22 made me tear up.
posted by holborne at 8:48 AM on May 10, 2017


So I guess to clarify, #20 seemed to loosely say that hey, if you take the time to care for an outsider, they'll reward you with cookies. That is, the person you were nice to will pay you back. Be nice, get paid. 4ster's story is much sweeter.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2017


So I guess to clarify, #20 seemed to loosely say that hey, if you take the time to care for an outsider, they'll reward you with cookies. That is, the person you were nice to will pay you back. Be nice, get paid.

Wow, that was...not my takeaway from that story.
posted by holborne at 8:52 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]


Sometimes, the internet knows just what you need.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:38 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


That wasn't my takeaway, either. The cookies were just a bonus, not an expectation. The payoff was the sweet, nice, new friend.
posted by cooker girl at 9:50 AM on May 10, 2017



#4 perpetrates a dangerous myth. Most Alpacas do not want to be touched especially by strangers and kick like mules.


OK but did you see the alpaca's face in the first picture? It is the most precious thing ever. Risk vs Reward. An alpaca hug is worth getting kicked for, especially with that smug little smiley mug.
posted by Fig at 10:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]


That wasn’t my takeaway, either. The cookies were just a bonus, not an expectation. The payoff was the sweet, nice, new friend.

I entirely agree that none of the kids expected cookies for their action, and were doing everything out of the goodness of their hearts. I just parsed it in the general context of stories in which “the protagonist of a story does the good thing, expecting no reward, and is then justly rewarded”. If the storyteller had been the lonely child, not one of the kids who received cookies, I would have parsed it differently.
posted by Going To Maine at 11:09 AM on May 10, 2017


Yeah, I interpreted the cookies comment to just illustrate "and now our friendship is nice and rewarding in all the wonderful ways that friendships are nice and rewarding" - not that it was in any way a transactional thing. I'd like to believe that, anyways, so that's the way I'm choosing to see it.
posted by R a c h e l at 11:41 AM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]


The cookies also get to be the punchline/reason for posting, instead of just "Here's a story where I was altruistic"
posted by mabelstreet at 11:53 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


OK but did you see the alpaca's face in the first picture?

It's immature and the parents are locked in the barn or there'd be some cans of Alpaca whupass getting opened on these baby huggers. We've only had one that would spontaneously come over and wrap her neck around you. That one I take to the elementary school and she is also the best mom (gestation is 1 year and most of them are just done by then.)

We're pretty far off the road so we don't have to deal with random people stopping by but some newly retired Floridiots about a mile away thought they'd get some and they are right where the valley exits into civilization and they don't know shit about keeping the sexes separate or fencing or coyotes or how people will just wander through the fence because sooo cute!

Next to them is a guy with buffalo. Nobody tries to hug the buffalo.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 12:27 PM on May 10, 2017


So a sweet story in a listicle turns into some dark parable of neoliberalism or some goddamned thing. Only on Metafilter.
posted by holborne at 12:28 PM on May 10, 2017 [8 favorites]


MetaFilter: a dark parable of neoliberalism or some goddamned thing.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:25 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


Next to them is a guy with buffalo. Nobody tries to hug the buffalo.

I would (try to) hug that buffalo.
LET ME LOVE YOU, HOOVED FURRY CRITTERS!

the rest of this list was pretty fantastic too. thanks for posting, lunasol!
posted by Fig at 1:35 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]


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