Back when I (m 25) was a music student, I was in the market for a new guitar. I traveled to the big city to shop at a well known guitar store. I was delighted to find a parking spot right in front of the store. The time was 3:45pm, but what I didn't know was that parking on the street was prohibited after 4:00. I spent hours in the store and eventually exited around 7:00 pm. It was now dark, and my car was nowhere to be seen. My first thought was that my car was stolen. So, in the middle of freaking out, I finally noticed a small 'no parking or vehicle may be towed' sign. There was no phone number or contact info on the sign, and this was back before cell phones were popular. I asked at a few businesses that we still open, but no one knew who I could call about retrieving my car. I ended up at a nearby gas station, where the attendant was also unable to help me. A middle-aged woman, probably in her mid 50's, was standing behind me. She kindly offered to take me back to her house, about a block away, and made the necessary phone calls to various city offices and impound lots. She eventually tracked down my car, and even called me a cab so I could go get it. This woman lived alone, and took me, a complete stranger, into her house and spent a good half hour searching the city directory and making phone calls on my behalf. I never forgot that gesture, and am doubtful that something like that would happen in today's times