We Are HKers - "Every time we dream our dream, we have strangers helping us in one way or another"

“You secondary school kids hurry up and choose what you want to eat. Save your money up to buy your gear (protesting gear), let us treat you to this meal.”

— Kind man

After a protest July 27th, I went out for burgers at the Pacific Place Shopping Centre Shake Shack with some friends in the evening. The three of us stood in front of the menu for five minutes deciding what to order.

Suddenly, a woman approached us and told us that we had worked hard (protesting) and that she wanted to treat us to burgers.

At first, we didn't want her to treat us as we didn't want to owe others, but the woman continued to insist that we choose what we wanted to eat. We kept on insisting that it was fine.

She said: "Today is my birthday. Please allow me to do this one thing and let me treat you to burgers. I've been working all day, and I've only just had time to watch the news. There's nothing I can do to help. Please at least let me treat you guys. I beg you. I’m even using the word "beg" now. Come on. Think about what you want to eat."

I was already tearing up…

She then said: "Now come on. Don’t you try and make me cry."

She half pushed, half dragged us to buy the burgers.

The man beside her said: "You secondary school kids hurry up and choose what you want to eat. Save up your money to buy your gear (protesting gear). Let us treat you to this meal. Buy a few more as I'm worried you guys won't be full. Choose freely. Do you want a milkshake or fries as well? We'll leave after we pay. Don’t stress about it."

We thanked them non-stop.

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A Protester - "Every time we dream our dream, we have strangers helping us in one way or another."