[Seminole]

Tonight I was on my way to the grocery store and was in a pretty big hurry. I had to stay late at work today so I was about 2 hours behind with all the things I wanted to get done. After the grocery store I had to go home to cook dinner, clean up the apartment, and get a few solid hours of studying in before getting to bed at a reasonable time for work tomorrow.

So wasting time wasn't something I was looking to do. As I pulled into the far end of the parking lot I noticed an old man with a walker and a little grocery bag walking really slow and I drove right past him. Not sure why, but I circled back around and pulled up next to him to ask if he was OK. He told me he was alright, just that he had missed the last bus to get back to his home. So I asked him where it was and he said just down the street a little bit. It was getting dark and despite me being in a hurry I offered him a ride home.

It turns out "just down the street" was actually 2.5 miles. Just from the corner where the bus would drop him off to his home is about .5 miles. When I realized how far this was for him I almost broke down. The man could only take one step at a time and had to pause between each step. I'd say in a minute he could only walk about 10 feet. If I had just ignored him and went about my own business it would have taken him hours, literally, to make it home. Even when he has the bus to take, he must have to leave his house at least an hour or more before hand just to make it down to the corner in time. As sad as it made me, I was just glad that I decided to stop and was able to help him out.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is no matter how busy you are, if you see a person who could use a hand stop to help them. You never know how big of an impact it could have.

[E90SoFlo]

Good man, Proud to be a human when you hear stuff like this.

Just shows there is some good left in the world.

[CollinsE90]

We need more people like you OP, and more people like the old man too. Most people like that are hagglers looking for something free(i.e money for alcohol/drugs). He sounds like a man who wouldnt ask for a thing, and it saddens me to hear about him, but makes me happy your helped him.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

We need more people like you OP, and more people like the old man too. Most people like that are hagglers looking for something free(i.e money for alcohol/drugs). He sounds like a man who wouldnt ask for a thing, and it saddens me to hear about him, but makes me happy your helped him.

agree on both counts

[boymonkey]

Hey OP and everyone else, would you pick up a hitchhiker late at night, like 3am, if the hitchhiker looks like a normal person as far as you could tell driving by?

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by boymonkey

Hey OP and everyone else, would you pick up a hitchhiker late at night, like 3am, if the hitchhiker looks like a normal person as far as you could tell driving by?

The way this country is, no.

I do my best to avoid anyone walking due to homeless people just wanting money, that have came up with an excuse to make it hard for you to say no. But from the OP, sounds like that guy was minding his own business. I guess it's just a judgment call, but 9/10 times I dont pay attention to them.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by boymonkey

Hey OP and everyone else, would you pick up a hitchhiker late at night, like 3am, if the hitchhiker looks like a normal person as far as you could tell driving by?

Probably not. An old guy who can barely walk in a grocery store parking lot minding his own business is different.

[E92TTKING]

you did the right thing. Everyone should do this, regardless of how busy one is. Life is too short and doing good can really make you feel worthy and helpful

[BTM]

usually people who want something from you are the ones to come up and ask you for it, with a sob story, the one's who really could use / need / appreciate your help are the ones who don't say a word to you.

[Wakka]

brian hates everything

[Express]

brad will you pick me up next time i need a ride?

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by boymonkey

Hey OP and everyone else, would you pick up a hitchhiker late at night, like 3am, if the hitchhiker looks like a normal person as far as you could tell driving by?

as a rule I don't pitch up hitchhikers.
but also as a rule I also always pick up anyone who is nearby or is within a reasonable distance from a stranded car/bike/etc on a freeway, etc.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

as a rule I don't pitch up hitchhikers.
but also as a rule I also always pick up anyone who is nearby or is within a reasonable distance from a stranded car/bike/etc on a freeway, etc.

thats the best trick in the book you cant be falling for that!!!!

[immiketoo]

OP,

I had a similar experience not too long ago. I was approached by a guy who was clearly indigent and he asked me if I had the time. My initial reaction was to tell him to piss off, but after I walked away, something compelled me to turn around and talk to him. I asked him a few questions and he told me he was freezing after being outside all day. It was a nice spring day if you are in and out of your car, but all day would be bone chilling. I asked him why he didn't go into the grocery store, warm up and have a cup of coffee, to which he replied, "They told me I couldn't stay if I wasn't buying anything."

I have some experience with this sort of thing, and retailers don't like "Bums" in their businesses. I immediately asked the guy if he was an addict and after he gave a believable response, I gave him fifty bucks and sat with him while he warmed up. I learned that Lawrence was a highly intelligent and articulate guy who was down on his luck. He thanked me profusely and sincerely. I told him to look me up if he was ever in my town and left him at the store. I am very glad I took the time to help, especially as jaded as I have become over the years. My BS detector is highly tuned and most don't pass the smell test.

Good job OP!

[Bakeme521]

Originally Posted by BTM

usually people who want something from you are the ones to come up and ask you for it, with a sob story, the one's who really could use / need / appreciate your help are the ones who don't say a word to you.

This

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by express705

thats the best trick in the book you cant be falling for that!!!!

haha may be, but I never let my guard down with ANYONE picked up in the car.
and generally speaking I don't pick anyone up if there is anyone else in the car with me.

Worst case I die.
Realistic worst case they steal my car.

[Quick6EF]

Nice story OP, but I'm always weary of strangers. If he didnt have a grocery bag would you have picked him up?


Its the crazy stories you hear that prvent nice gestures like OPs.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Quick6EF

Nice story OP, but I'm always weary of strangers. If he didnt have a grocery bag would you have picked him up?


Its the crazy stories you hear that prvent nice gestures like OPs.

Can't live in fear of your neighbors. Can't be stupid either so it's a fine line to walk. As others have said, it makes it difficult to do what's right.

Side note:
I've decided i'm not going to wear a couple of pairs of new kicks so i figured i'd put them in my car and give them to the next panhandler i see who looks like they could use some new shoes. ..... That was 8 weeks ago. I've only seen 2 people who seemed to have a need for shoes and i had taken them out of my car that day because i had 4 people in it. Guess i need to find the "real" homeless people and give the shoes to them.

[Hedges]

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Can't live in fear of your neighbors. Can't be stupid either so it's a fine line to walk. As others have said, it makes it difficult to do what's right.

Side note:
I've decided i'm not going to wear a couple of pairs of new kicks so i figured i'd put them in my car and give them to the next panhandler i see who looks like they could use some new shoes. ..... That was 8 weeks ago. I've only seen 2 people who seemed to have a need for shoes and i had taken them out of my car that day because i had 4 people in it. Guess i need to find the "real" homeless people and give the shoes to them.

real homeless are the ones to busy digging through the garbage instead of panhandling....
the ones that take food over money

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

real homeless are the ones to busy digging through the garbage instead of panhandling....
the ones that take food over money

Yeah. I don't want to be judgmental but when you're begging for money on the side of the road, don't leave your keys hanging out of your pocket and your smart phone sticking halfway out your pocket. Just a general rule for panhandlers. Cause that makes it hard for me to think you're homeless.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Yeah. I don't want to be judgmental but when you're begging for money on the side of the road, don't leave your keys hanging out of your pocket and your smart phone sticking halfway out your pocket. Just a general rule for panhandlers. Cause that makes it hard for me to think you're homeless.

I watch those assholes fold up their cardboard signs and pick up their $200 backpack before walking to their nice new minivan. There's one spot by my house where they go in shifts. I swear there's a time clock in the trees, just out of sight of the dupes that pay these people money.