People are sharing nice stories about the times they met celebrities to counter all the abuse allegations

The world has been shaken in recent weeks by sexual misconduct allegations against a host of celebrities, from Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein to Ed Westwick and Louis CK.

In a New York Times expose published on 9 November, CK was accused by five women of inappropriate behaviour, including masturbating in front of them. CK has not responded to the allegations.

Multiple accusers have come forward with accusations of assault and abuse by Spacey, including a man who claimed the actor tried to rape him when the alleged victim was just 14. A lawyer for Spacey responded to the stories with the statement: "Mr. Spacey absolutely denies the allegations." Spacey has checked into a rehab facility for sex addiction treatment, following the path producer Weinsten undertook following numerous Hollywood figures accusing him of sexual misconduct.

Two actresses have accused Gossip Girl star Westwick of rape. After the second allegation, he said: "It is disheartening and sad to me that as a result of two unverified and provably untrue social media claims, there are some in this environment who could ever conclude I have had anything to do with such vile and horrific conduct. I have absolutely not." He added that he is cooperating with the authorities.

To counteract a general feeling of malaise spreading online and beyond in the wake of these allegations, people have started sharing sweet and uplifting stories about their celebrity encounters.

It started small. The Twitter user who started a huge thread on the subject, BAKOAN, said director and screenwriter Harmony Korine paid for a packet of cigarettes when they didn't have enough cash in a deli once. From there, the nice stories just kept coming.

Mara Wilson, a former child actress, said that her on-screen parents in Matilda, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, let her stay with them when her mother was in hospital for cancer surgeries.

Wilson went on to namecheck other celebrities she has encountered over the years. "Salma Hayek danced with my little sister at a party once, as did Shannon Doherty, and Spice Girl Mel C played Connect 4 with her. Lucy Liu was so incredibly kind and lovely when we worked together when I was nine that she became one of my first big crushes," she said.

And speaking of the creator and star of smash-hit musical Hamilton, she later added: "Lin-Manuel is also a very kind and genuine guy. Kindest eyes I've ever seen."

George Romero was named as "one of the nicest guys I've met" by Megan Sawyer on Twitter and Deidre Statham confirmed: "Chatted @ a con with Romero since he was signing outside of posted autograph hours. No line. Husband and I's first date was all Romero movies. He said that sounded 'horrible'."

Director and producer Peter Atencio threw his hat into the ring for actor Will Forte. He said: "Will Forte is the kindest and best human I have ever met. Method Man rules too, and he smells FANTASTIC all the time."

All six lead actors on Netflix show The Good Place, Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D'Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto and Ted Danson, were described as being "unbelievably kind, cordial, and complimentary, in addition to being way funny and talented" by show writer Demi Adejuyigbe.

Matt Pinfield, MTV and VH1 host, featured in some unusual stories. "I once saw Matt Pinfield in Times Square in the early 2000s and my instinct was to offer him a closed fist pound and he pounded me back and kept on walking," one person said. Comedian Paul Savage added: "My mate emailed Matt Pinfield to let him know they had the same name. They got chatting, US found out UK Matt had a band." Pinfield ended up doing an interview with his namesake on the radio and played the band's single on air.

David Tennant was also praised for not only "graciously accepting" an academic paper from a fan at the stage door for Richard II but then actually reading it and sending back with an appreciate note. Wilson chipped in again to add: "He is so kind and down to earth! And he reads his fan letters!"

Another anonymous Twitter user shared numerous lovely celebrity encounters. "Kenny G would always tip $100 whenever I came to his house to fix whatever," they began. "Jason Alexander's wife was one of the nicest and most appreciative customers I've ever met. Mr Alexander was a close 2nd.

"I helped install Cuba Gooding Jr's home theater and he was SO excited and appreciative when we set him up to play different music in different rooms. Also at coffee cart I helped Salma Hayek a few times, she always tipped heavy and was very nice."

The list of small but lovely gestures went on. Nathan Fillion reportedly thanks production crews on his shows by getting food trucks in. Lucy Liu is "otherwordly nice" even to "lowly" PAs. Kate McKinnon tips baristas at a Turkish coffee shop in New York "extraordinarily well," it was added. And Robin Williams was described as "most compassionate celebrity I ever had the pleasure of knowing in person" and was once seen defending a homeless person who was being harassed.

If these stories tell us one thing, we should not lose faith in humanity yet.