Helping hand!

[CR55]

I'm just curious, does anyone else here ever stop to lend a hand to someone that's in distress, such as a flat tire or some type of breakdown? I won't let a woman or kids sit on the side of the road no matter where I'm going or what I'm doing. Am I the only one who stops? I've sat helping people and no one offers to help, I've evn had them blow the horn at me because I'm causing them to be inconvienenced!
Stopped to help a guy in an 18 wheeler that had lost a pallet of 8"X 16' plastic drain pipe. He said he had been sitting there for over 45 minutes trying to move the pipe that was all over the place and blocking one lane of a 2 lane highway and no one stopped ,but instead blew their horns at him! I helped him load it back and the pieces that we couldn't get back in place I put on my trailer and took it right down the road and dropped it off. People actually blew the horns at us as we were trying to get the pipes off the highway and a few gave us the one fingured salute! Unbelievable..[S..I've helped people change tires and they usually offer to pay, but I NEVER accept anything, instead I tell them to pass it on about the helping hand, I'm not a do-gooder by any means, but when do you not offer help?
Rant over!..CR

 

[42chevy]

Iwill always stop and help women and old people. The others it depends on what kind of vibe I get from them. I also won'taccept money , even when I have really needed it. I tell them to help someone else also.

 

[26Troadster]

i'm with you on this, old folks, women and children, i always try to help. the men, like 42 said it's in the vibe i get. had a friend years ago that stopped to help what he thought was someone in need, he got robbed and shot for trying to be good people. i'm a mason, and in our teachings we were thought to help people in need, but it sux when you end up on the bad side things. if i run across some out in the middle of nowhere broke down, i will pull up and ask, if i think it will be ok then i will, if not i will leave and call for someone to go help them, someone like a cop. i hate to be that way but i don't want to loose my life like my friend did.

 

[donsrods]

It's really a different world today. In the old days we wouldn't have thought twice about helping someone, we would have just done it. Now, you have to be very careful. Like you guys, if I see a lady broken down or having trouble I will most likely stop and ask if I can be of any assistance, but even then you don't know what you are getting into, and most times the lady is apprehensive too, not knowing what your motives are.

A little while back I saw an older black gentleman pushing his car off the road into a shopping center and went back to help him. He was very shocked that someone would actually offer, and I dug into my trunk and found a couple of tools to fix his battery cable clamp, and he was on his way. He too offered me money, but the good feeling I got from helping him was all I really wanted.

Even on the water things have changed. In the early days of boating, other boaters were only too eager to help you. I've had people tow me 10 miles and who would not take money I tried to give them. Now, other boaters will zoom right by you laughing and holding up their beer in salute (I've had that happen ) We really don't like other people very much any more.

Don

 

[Sniper]

I would have to say my outlook pretty much mirrors what has been said. I'm not out to save the world, but I'll stop to give a hand if I can. I live near, and drive the 400 series highways that pass close by. (It's our version of the Interstate) Helped a number of drivers over the 40+ years or so, and a lot that are taking the shorter route across Ontario from Detroit MI or Port Huron MI border crossings to the Buffalo NY crossing, and vise versa. Changed flats, fixed wiper blades that fell off in the rain, fixed a pop up trailer axle that broke, replaced burst rad hoses, supplied gas and gave directions. Everybody has appreciated the help, they all offered to pay for the help, and I have also, always declined. The only thing I asked, was they pass it on and help someone if they can, and to be sure to have a good time while they were in my country. I have received thank you cards with lottery tickets, Christmas cards, and twice a thank you in our local paper in the editors section. (Still not sure how they found that address) The neat thing, besides feel good about the whole issue, something good usually happens to me within a few days. Can't beat Karma!!

 

[LilD]

Add me to the list. Theres alot of crazy people out there so im always hisitant but will stop and help

 

[busch]

Stopped to help a biker back in the spring turns out was a old friend i hadn't seen in 10 years we spent the rest of the day hanging out catching up drinking a few beers
always stop an help out get it from my dad, tell who ever pay it forward do some thing good for some one
car guys biker always stop go figure

 

[HOT40ROD]

I use to, But with all the still that is going done out there anymore I use caution and keep my eyes open for stuff that does not look right. Some of the courses I teach are for Home land Security.

Some of the stuff that is out there.

Person breaks down and is trying to flag someone down to help them. There are a couple of others hiding and waiting for the one that stops and jump out and steal there car and maybe harm them also.

The child seat on the side of the road with a cover over it. It may be upright or upside down and maybe some fake blood on it. This one is a gang initiation. Keep driving and call 911

Fake girl friend being beat up by there boy friend. That one is also Gang initiation. Keep going and call 911

This one use real CAUTION with. A car parked along side the road or in a parking lot. All the windows are up and every one inside is passed out. Do not open the door and call 911. This is a suicide pact. You open the door and one breath you will be laying along side the car. Teenager and young groups are doing this. They put all the windows up and mix two chemicals together that are lethal. One breath and its over.

The fake cop. They try to stop you in a isulated area. Just keep driving until you are in an area were others are around or a safe area. I real cop will not get mad if you tell them what you are doing. Also ask for ID and ask them to let you see it. If they flash it and will not let you see it use caution.

Sorry, not to scare everyone but that is what is out there and use caution with any of these. I carry and keep my eyes open when helping others. Its a shame it got to be that way but I like to see the next day. This world is not like it was years ago.

 

[Pookie Bros]

Being that I work in NYC, I tend to have a Get the *$#! outta the way mentality. Besides, I don't need to be flipping out on some ******** who really aint broke down.

Comin home from work one evening, I watched as a toyota blew it's tire, proceed to skid under a tractor trailer and the trailer tandems hit that car and shot in the air right in front of me. The car spit out as the rear of the trailer shot in the air and I pulled off to the side imeadiately and ran to the car as the trucker got pulled to the shoulder after straightening out the flying arse end. The driver pulled himself out of the mangled passengerside. I walked him to the shoulder and had him sit down.... I felt this situation was safe to stop and help. Around here we are near the carjack capitol of the world. It's become a sport of sorts in Newark,NJ......

So I guess it all depends on the situation for me. Never can be too trustworthy of people out there.

 

[Rev Tex Devlle]

i stop and help folkskinda goes with the job!(Rev) but i do it cause you should ! hitchhikers i pick them up too! been there done thatand walked alot miles! but a story of interest! once i was drive down the road and saw these 3 kids on the side of the road scratching there head and oulling up their baggy paints! so i stopped and made them change the tire, noneof them knew how! so i instructed them and then checked their work! to be safe! jump in the truck and left them with a finished job and they was on theirway! my god son was with me ask me why didnt i do it for them! i said give a man a fish they will ameal! teach him to fishand he will eat for a life time! the oldest kid of the three was 16 and a girl the youngest was 13 and a 14 yearold boys. now theydonthave to wondr what to do the nexttime!

 

[Bonehead]

I stop at accidents, do the first aid when I need to. I have changed a bunch of flats. Hauled people to the gas station. You just have to be careful.

 

[cantwell.colton]

i thought i was bein nice giving a lady that asked for a ride at the gas station a lift across town -- then she tried to solicit sex -- i was not happy.

also - my buddy had a flat in mississippi in his trailer rig and 3 fellas stopped - asked if he needed a hand, right about the time the they jumped him kicking him etc -- they took off running when he started fighting back -- nailed one right in the knee cap with his breaker bar -- now he carries this -

but to answer your question - sometimes i stop, sometimes i dont --
had to turn around on the highway the other day bc i saw a guy peeking over
his hood of an F250 from an open door about to push his truck slightly uphill across the highway bc he ran out of gas - we got him some gas instead.

 

[earthman]

Tried hitchiking a few times as a kid, gave that up after having enough of queers and weirdos. Gave rides to hitchikers a few times, gave that up after having to listen to compulsive liars and smelling unwashed bums. My thing is returning lost wallets found on the road. Five so far.

 

[oldskool]

I do stop to help, but being an ex-cop you learn to really be aware of whats around you and body language-listen to your little voice in your head,or you could be dead! I have never accepted money for helping(been there in the same spot). Watch for the old dead battery in the wal-mart parking lot trick from the cute damsel in distress, they will end up with your car and you will be taking the old nike express home!

 

[sneakysnake]

Like you others,twenty years ago I wouldnt hesitate, but now in the age of cell phones I usually let them call for their own help.

 

[darkk]

I offer help if the situation feels safe for me. I remember when I was 13-14 years old. I used to hitch hike about 15 miles to my cousins house with my 22 rifle. We used to target shoot out in the woods behind his house. People would pull over to pick me up and ask " what are hunting for?" now if people even drive by your house and see a rifle in the window, the swat team and helicopters show up. what the hell happened to America?

 

[Willowbilly3]

I used to stop but find myself less inclined to now that everyone has a cell phone because most of the time they have already called someone who is on the way.

 

[CR55]

I offer help if the situation feels safe for me. I remember when I was 13-14 years old. I used to hitch hike about 15 miles to my cousins house with my 22 rifle. We used to target shoot out in the woods behind his house. People would pull over to pick me up and ask " what are hunting for?" now if people even drive by your house and see a rifle in the window, the swat team and helicopters show up. what the hell happened to America?

Too many crazies and weird-o's, that's what happened to America!
last week the Police had the Interstate shut down because a freak was shooting at passing cars on the freeway from his apartment window! Fortunately no one was hurt, only a few bullet holes in some cars....You see someone carrying a rifle while walking down the street, you better run like hell!!!...CR

 

[42chevy]

It is a much scarier world we live in. I am in a very rural area and have stopped and called 911 for several accidents. I saw a person run over a bicyclist a couple years back and it was one of thier support crew.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Sure I do, but I'm always go armed...the other night I was coming home and noticed a '55 Chevy with the hood up and a guy looking at the engine. It was almost a clone of the "Two lane black top" '55 tunnel ram and all.

I stopped and the guy had a dead fuel pump but didn't have any tools, phone or anything, he was really up against it. I was driving the Scion below so he probably thought I was clueless, so after looking things over I told him I would be back in about 5 minutes and drove off (I'm sure he thought I was gone for good).

I ran back to the shop and got a good fuel pump, gasket, fuel line, clamps and some tools then drove back and got him going. He was thrilled and wanted to pay me, but I told him it was ok and that I have been in the same place myself and that he shouldn't thank me but the Lord because if not for Him I would have just drove on by