Tough times, small acts: Taxi driver’s stubborn kindness touches city’s hearts after Tai Po fire

In the wake of the Wang Fuk Court tragedy, a taxi driver’s simple act of kindness has struck a chord across Hong Kong, offering a brief moment of warmth during a period of collective grief.

In a Threads post on Monday (Dec 1), a passenger recounted hailing a taxi at Tai Yuen Estate in Tai Po and noticing that the meter was not running. Before he could point it out, the driver spoke up: “I'm offering free rides today. Just guide me a bit. I'm not too familiar with Tai Po.”

The passenger insisted on paying, but the driver refused. “No, it’s really fine. I have met my target today. Let me do this small thing… it brings me peace,” he said.

When they reached the destination, the passenger attempted to leave the fare behind, but the driver again rejected it. “Please, give me the chance to do something good,” he urged.

Deeply moved, the passenger later donated the fare to someone in need and shared the encounter online, writing: “Hongkongers are truly full of love. Everyone does what they can. May good people always find peace.”

“Please spread the kindness”: Online community reacts

The story quickly went viral, garnering more than 5,000 likes overnight and prompting an outpouring of praise for both the driver and the poster.

Many commenters expressed admiration for the driver’s gesture. “Please continue to spread kindness,” one wrote, while others said the post reaffirmed their belief in the city’s compassion. “It’s comforting to know that in our small city, there are still so many big-hearted people,” another user commented.