One kind act really does set off a chain reaction

Think about the last time a stranger did something unexpectedly kind for you. Maybe someone held a door open, picked up something you dropped or gave you a compliment. Did it change how you treated the next person you encountered?

• New research suggests that for most people, your kind gesture isn't just helping one person — it's helping many.

Why it matters: Kindness spreads, especially as we age.

• People on the receiving end of random acts of kindness are more likely to direct kindness to strangers, according to a recent survey by Gallup and the Values-in-Action Foundation.

Yes, but: Younger adults are less likely than older adults to initiate acts of kindness toward strangers.

By the numbers: Of the adults age 50 or older surveyed, 72% said they felt comfortable initiating an act of kindness after being a beneficiary themselves.

• But only 40% of adults 18 to 29 who also received multiple acts of kindness said the same.

That suggests the "pay it forward" instinct is something many of us grow into, not something we're simply born with.

Broadly, the country is doing better than cynics might expect: More than 60% of Americans across every region said they'd experienced kindness multiple times in just the past week.

Zoom in: There are some modest regional differences when it comes to observing kindness being practiced.

• Southerners reported seeing people treat others with kindness most often (62%).

• The lowest share were Midwesterners: 56% of those surveyed said they witnessed acts of kindness often.

City dwellers reported experiencing acts of kindness many times in a week (67%), slightly more than suburban or rural residents (both 62%).

Driving the news: Values-in-Action's United States of Kindness campaign is asking individuals and organizations to participate in 250 acts of kindness to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

• Find more information, ideas and resources on the United States of Kindness website.

The bottom line: If you were looking for a sign to help your neighbor, this is it.

The fine print: Poll data was gathered through Gallup web surveys from March 2-18 with a random sample of more than 2,000 adults.