Crosswalk

In this delightful twist on a classic theme of “helping an old lady across the street” we find a hip teenager absorbed in his music with his buddies at a busy crosswalk.  Without warning, a silver-haired octogenarian suddenly jolts him out of his world by asking him an unexpected question. We all enjoy a timely lesson in manners while the song, “Hold my Hand” accents this charming moment.  Good Manners…Pass Them On.

This message playfully portrays the classic scene of helping an elderly lady across the street.  In a plot twist that both teaches Good Manners to our young hero and all of us in the viewing audience we see that values are sometimes best communicated with humor.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Old Lady: “May I walk you across the street?”
Boy: “Yeah, thanks.”
ANNCR/SUPER: Good Manners, Pass Them On. A message from The Foundation for a Better Life.

Good Manners
Pass It On®
Pass It On®

YOUR COMMENT

Note: All comments are reviewed before posting.

I LOVE, love, LOVE this!! We are so involved in our own bubbles, we often forget to observe details and people around us! I think the world, the US in particular, is often blind to the ageism that is hidden and tolerated as normal by many. Seniors are revered in other societies. Yet, we often show images of incontinent or impotent elderly without showing all they have to offer, including possibly a clever sense of humor in addressing problems as this video does. Seniors have seen it all and often done it all, too! Teens and seniors have the potential to transform the world if they united forces and were open to learning from one another!

Cindy P from Clovis,Ca, July 21, 2020

Oh my gosh! How adorable! May our Youth respect their Elders!😍

Michelle from Everett, WA, May 1, 2020

i needed a lesson to show my boss for inspiration. you helped, thank you!

Mary from harrisburg PA, October 2, 2017

♥♥♥

silva from Brasil, December 10, 2015

Good manners

Emily, November 15, 2015

that boy was very polite

Anonymous, November 15, 2015

I use the videos in my class when I teach values, conflict, friendship and other topics on Human Development. My students learn from the clips and like them. Thank you. They are a great way to begin a lesson or sum up a lesson.

Sherry Barr from Farragut HIgh School, September 2, 2014

I like this commercial, as it's very inspiring, as well as very well-done, too. :) I especially like how the boy thanked the elderly lady, and she replied, “You're welcome”, too. :)

Abigail Watson from OR, March 9, 2014

Thats My Mom!!

Jeff from Salt Lake City, February 18, 2014

I am a school teacher with students who struggle with learning disabilities. This web site is very inspiring.

Debra howard from Louisville, ky, November 2, 2013

I love this commercial, I also love the song in the background Hootie and The Blowfish is still awesome in my book

Sam V. from CA, September 4, 2013

Your adds / commercials are awesome. Extremely uplifting and inspiring. "Pass it on". Thank you.

Dave Hamrick from North Carolina, August 4, 2013

Perfect!

Christine from Illinois, May 9, 2013

Lissa: Your grandmother's commercial is very special and will have positive impact for many years. I am very sorry for your loss.... and on Christmas day....But thank you for sharing more of her story. It makes the commercial all the more special and personal. :-)

Pete from West Bloomfield, May 2, 2013

I like it. Very awesome, as well as very well-done, too. Also, the song Hold My Hand by Hootie and the Blowfish, which is one of my favorite songs to listen to, really helps to bring it all together as well. :)

Abigail from United States of America, April 16, 2013

Dear Lissa and Reb I'am so sorry for your loss... Your beloved left us with a great gesture. I love her and I didnt know her. It's a great commercial. God bless you.

Dania from Miami, February 6, 2013

The elderly lady in this commercial is my precious grandmother, who passed away this christmas day at 94 years of age! She is and always was a Lady. She loved doing this commercial

lissa from utah, January 23, 2013

I love this commercial. I have a grandson just like this one, he opens and closes my car door for me.

Nancy Carter Apolonio from Ogden, Utah, January 23, 2013

The precious woman you see on this spot is my beloved mother, Ruthie. She passed away one month ago, on Christmas day, 2013. I play this over and over and over just to hear the sound of her voice. She wasn't an "actor" ... the kindness she radiates here was how she lived every moment of her life.

Reb Fleming from Moab, Utah, January 23, 2013

Good manners are a set of behaviors.

valentina from U.S.A, November 3, 2012

After seeing this commercial, I had to do fifty laps around a slow moving transport before the adrenalin was swept from my bloodstream!!!

Ardeth Bey from USA, October 24, 2012

Absolutely Fabulous Commercial. I love how they are bringing the 2 generations together, working as a team. I wish there was more of these!!

Debbie from Largo, August 26, 2012

I saw this on tv and had to look it up. Great video nice impact for short clip! I just showed my wife. Shows manners as cool for kids. Great idea.

Sean from Queens Ny, August 25, 2012

This was the first video I saw of these. I couldn't stop smiling. :)

Danielle from North Dakota, August 16, 2012

I love this commercial. When I first saw it, I was like awww. It makes you think.

CMM from Sells, June 26, 2012

Wow THAT IS CUTE. NICE OF THAT BOY. :)

SYDNEY SMITH from TX COLLEYVILLE, May 2, 2012

WOW!!!!!!!

SYDNEY SMITH from TX COLLEYVILLE, May 2, 2012

Awww I want an old lady to walk me across the street. That was really sweet of her to do that. Usually its the other way around.

Sarah from Connecticut, April 11, 2012

Seeing how the skateboarder's face turned from surprise into a warm smile helped my heart feel better. We need to help one another overcome the many fears that surround our hearts in this hectic day and age.

Joan from Billings, MT, April 10, 2012

What's the name of that song?

jay from canada, November 30, 2011

love this:)

bianca from canada, August 27, 2011

Old ladies can be very sweet. I love helping others even if it has to do with crossing the streets. I loved this video, it's one of my favorites!

Stephanie from Idaho, April 7, 2011

I love this ad and many more of them. It would be much nicer if everyone would refer to the neat lady as "elderly" instead of "old". She is very "with it" and young at heart and spirit!!

Alice M. from Washington State, February 17, 2011

It is a great video

Blake from UT, February 1, 2011

Cute. The young man is really walking the old lady across the street - she flips the script. Lesson 2: All teenagers aren't bad

M from Georgia, January 10, 2011

That was really sweet and responsible and so kind.

sabrina p from victorville,ca, January 7, 2011

Stand tall

phyllis l. from sacramento, September 8, 2010

The skater and the grandmother are not related, but nonetheless, have great interactive chemistry.

Sarah from Colorado, July 23, 2010

Does anyone know or is there someone I could ask about this commercial - is the young skate board boy related to the grandmother? They do look alike, and could be grandson and grandmother.

Linda C. from Florida, July 20, 2010

All of these ads are inspiring and brought a smile to my face. They show to enjoy the characteristics a person can have and what they can do to make a difference. So don't take the small things for granite, they are bigger than you think!

Ryan P. from Illinois, April 5, 2010

It feels really good to know the whims that are around us and keep me moving.

Anuj B. from INDIA, February 11, 2010

Thank you so much for producing and providing all of these uplifting and inspiring "commercials". They are words to live by!

Georgia D. from Missouri, January 24, 2010

I really like this one, I think it is sweet.

Emily H. from North Dakota , January 15, 2010

Awesome stuff. You're commercials are very touching and remind us that the little things we do can make a difference!

Joe from CT, November 29, 2009

These commercials are the greatest! The skateboarder and elderly lady is my favorite. What a great way to send a message!

Elaine K from Pennsylvania, November 22, 2009

Beautiful. You have the most heartwarming and the best way of reminding us that we can do better. Keep up the good work!

Kristina Q from Philippines, August 30, 2009

This is just precious! Definitely one of my favorites here!

Mary Rose M. from Mooresville, NC, August 29, 2009

I really love the simplicity with this spot, it always brings me a smile and a chuckle.

Bev M. from Canada, December 28, 2008

This is the greatest spot of all... I love it!!!

Marc M. from Bielefeld, Germany, August 18, 2008

This is my favorite commercial of all time.

Ivy N. from San Jose, CA, June 18, 2008

The skateboarders I know are just like this. My brother is an amazing Graffiti artist, so for Mother's Day one year he showed her a video of him at the skate-park. The words "Happy Mother's Day" were fresh on the ramp. He never painted anywhere else but that park. I love how this shows there are people like him out there!

A. D. M. from Canada, May 1, 2008

What a beautiful, inspiring, motivating commercial! Who are the GENIUS minds behind this work?

Melanie from Wapakoneta, Ohio, April 8, 2008

Ha ha! I love how it was sort of a role reversal! I actually came to the site to see what it was all about, since I didn't understand it. Now, I get it a little bit! I think the lady needed help, and the young man didn't offer, and so the lady asks, "May I walk you across the street?" and the young man was acting like the lady would have, "Um, sure. No problem. Thanks!" "You're welcome!"

Mariah W. from Dallas, TX, March 26, 2008

I believe the song is by Hootie and the Blowfish--"Hold My Hand." So great!

Ben M. from Colorado, USA, March 12, 2008

This is an amazing commercial. Can someone please tell me what the name of the song is that starts playing near the end?

Tony R. from Virginia, USA, March 10, 2008

I love this! I hope it inspires people!!!

Sara H. from Kingston, Washington USA, January 19, 2008

Before my first sip of coffee, this is my quiet time in the wee morning to paint a smile upon my heart, this one did it for me.

Lady Samm from Toronto, Canada, November 23, 2007

Awesome...love Hootie moments!

Sandra from Newburyport, Massachusetts USA, November 2, 2007

Just shows how easy it is to be "nice." Well done!

Pat M. from Abingdon, Maryland USA, October 21, 2007

Really hits home for me as a skater from New York. Interesting concept well displayed with the little time given.

David H. from New City, New York USA, October 20, 2007

Right on! I too am a skateboarder and Grandfather...I love how this spot connects skaters and our senior citizens in a positive light! Thanks for all you do, keep up the good work.

Roger "Doc" from Layton, Utah USA, October 20, 2007

LOVE IT!

Matt H. from Perryville, Maryland USA, October 11, 2007

Just made my day seeing this ad. :)

Collin S. from Califorina, October 2, 2007

This spot hit home with me on several levels. My son and his teen buds often get judged by their appearance but any of them would walk with the elderly lady across a street. A tv spot like this might prompt them to do it more readily. This is what television should be used for. Bravo.

Dawn B. from St. Louis, Missouri, USA, September 30, 2007

This one REALLY brought a smile to my face...loved it!

Neil from Portugal, August 29, 2007

Be sure to watch our other Pass It On® videos.

Hope

HOPE

Locker

CHARACTER

Timeout

CIVILITY

Hockey

LOVE

Be A Light

BE A LIGHT

Dear Me

HOPE

Better Together

BETTER TOGETHER

Generosity

GENEROSITY

Ballet

CONFIDENCE

Spirit of America

DETERMINATION

Haircut

BEING THERE

Grace VanderWaal

CONFIDENCE

You Raise Me Up

INSPIRATION

Holding The Light

TEACHING BY EXAMPLE

Dishes

LISTENING

Classroom

HONESTY

Piñata

SHARING

Mallory Weggemann

RESILIENCE

Everything I Do

CARING

Train

LOVE

You Can Let Go

LOVE

We Shall Be Free

DO YOUR PART

Neighbors

PATIENCE

Jen Bricker

STRENGTH

Just Say Hi

REACHING OUT

Wet Cement

PATIENCE

I Hope You Dance

LIVE LIFE

Reach

INTEGRITY

America

CARING

Baseball

FRIENDSHIP

Power of the Dream

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

My Life in Sports

APPRECIATION

Gratitude

GRATITUDE

Guitar Hero

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

Soccer

OPPORTUNITY

Apple Stand

CARING

Old Friends

FRIENDSHIP

A Better Life

A BETTER LIFE

Spread the Love

LOVE

Road Rage

GOOD EXAMPLES

Umbrella

CARING

My Wish

PARENTING

Kindness

KINDNESS

Never Too Late

LIVE LIFE

The Greatest

OPTIMISM

Get Along

GET ALONG

Hallway

FORGIVENESS

The Wall

HARD WORK

I Will Always Love You

LOVE

Most People Are Good

GOODNESS

Peer Pressure

CHARACTER

Special Athlete

SPORTSMANSHIP

Three Pointer

YOU GOT THIS

Already There

BEING THERE

Remember When

APPRECIATION

I Believe

BELIEVE

Top Shelf

HELPING OTHERS

Oliver With A Twist

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Let Em In

CARING

Annie's Song

OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Nate Staniforth, Magician

WONDER

Love

LOVE

Good Stuff

COMMITMENT

Truck Stop

RIGHT CHOICES

Imagine

IMAGINE

College

GRATITUDE

Faith In You

DEVOTION

Home

FAMILY

Track Coach

BELIEVE

Homecoming Queen

TRUE BEAUTY

Everyday Heroes

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Joshua's Heart

LOVE

Cafeteria

REACHING OUT

Life's A Dance

LEARN AS YOU GO

Loyalty

LOYALTY

Veteran

THANK YOU

Purse

HONESTY

Sarah Greichen

INCLUSION

Open Door

KINDNESS

Basketball

SPORTSMANSHIP

Packages

COURTESY

Humble and Kind

KINDNESS

Biker

GRATITUDE

Hall of Fame

ACHIEVEMENT

Homer

LOYALTY

Change the World

MAKING A DIFFERENCE