How willing are you to help a stranger?

[MayheM]

I was walking home yesterday, as i always do, and came across a very old woman who lives a few blocks from me. The first time I saw this woman was about 3 years ago. I remember it so clearly because it was on St. Patrick's Day. Anyway, like I said she is very old. So old she walks extremely slowly (maybe one inch steps). So to walk the four blocks from her house to the store she shops at takes every bit of 30 minutes. Three years ago on that St. Patrick's Day she asked if I could help her cross the street. I helped her get across one street on her way back from the store and she thanked me an I was on my way. The next time I ran into her she was on her way to the store. To give you an idea of how slowly she walks, When crossing a two lane street it take a full light cycle to cross to the other side. We actually almost got hit by an asshole in a BMW that day. That time I walked her all the way to the store. All total I have walked her to the store about 4 or 5 times and at this point I now stop without her even asking for help.

Yesterday, as we walked she told me that many of the people she asked for help either ignored her, or said no. It made me think to myself, how could anyone say no to helping a little old lady cross the street? So I figured I would post this and see if I am alone in my thinking. Granted when I pass homeless people on the street I ignore them. But I feel this is different.

So my question is, If you came across someone who needed help like this, would you help?

[Megadude]

In the case of the old lady, I would help immediately.

In the case of "homeless" people, no. The reason for the "homeless" is that at least 80% of those people around here are not homeless at all and are just trying to get some money for nothing. They have even now started to claim that they are diabetic and have been locked in jail overnight so need money to get home to get their insulin. I just walk on by disgusted with those people.

But in genuine cases like the old lady scenario, yes I would help.

[source-maps]

only if she asked,
and to people in general, I would also help if they asked because I have a hard time saying 'no' but I would definitely complain about it later

[Gary]

I would help her or anyone, if they seemed to be having problems, I would ask if they needed help.

[Major Banter]

I'm British.

It's in the blood.

Also, Waitrose experience has really helped with handling people. They're always complimenting me; one personal example is helping a perfectly nice disabled guy get his water bottle from the footwell of his car. He thanked me, I asked if there was anything else and he laughed. S'cool.

[Smurftyours]

I help those who are need when I can. So if I see an elderly or disabled individual struggling with something I probable will try to help.

[Zabiela]

Anytime! I've cared for a few old persons in my, still, young life, and would help again anytime I saw a need.

Its incredible, it seems everyone would answer this answer, yet those dicks who ignore old ladies/people in need still actually exist! I feel I don't know any in person, but I'm sure I do.

The people who wouldn't help out are the people who don't say anything when you hold the door for them, the people that cut in line if they can, the people that find a wallet and keep it, the people that exploit in video games... The people that have a lack of empathy in general.


Anecdote:
I live in chinatown los angeles, with a high ratio of hunchbacked old chinese ladies. I only wished these old chinese ladies would stick to the crosswalks. Anytime I drive around here i'm bound to run in to one shuffling across the middle of the street, completely without looking too. I just hope they don't do it in front of some jackass texting on his blackberry who won't stop in time.

The guy I see everyday at the local store I stop at:
"HEY BRO, U GOT CHANGE MY CAR IS OUT OF GAS!"
And I hand him my change even though I'm thinking "I see this guy, in this parking lot, almost EVERY SINGLE DAY, saying hes out of gas"

[no00dylan]

I would help some one, not because I'm a good soul, but because something tells me that I am a bad person for not doing it. Say for instance, if I was in your shoes, but craving a burrito, knowing one was at my destination, I would help the old lady, out of guilt, knowing that if I don't she may be hurt, I can't live with that. People in parking lots ask me sometimes for cash, which isn't hard for me to deal with as I'm just as broke, and tell them that. So yeah, I would help the old lady, I wouldn't complain about it, but then again it's not because I'm a great prophet, it's just the right thing. I usually don't REALLY want to help people, but once I do it I get a smug-ass feeling that I'm such a wonderful ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. (smug ass feeling wears off and makes me feel bad later.)

[Dionysos]

...
The guy I see everyday at the local store I stop at:
"HEY BRO, U GOT CHANGE MY CAR IS OUT OF GAS!"
And I hand him my change even though I'm thinking "I see this guy, in this parking lot, almost EVERY SINGLE DAY, saying hes out of gas"

Maybe he's got a muscle car and it guzzles gas like shit.

Anyways, there's really no justification for NOT helping an old lady across the street, period.

[Pwnd_Ja]

An old lady or someone that was clearly in need, yes I would help.
In cases of cunts chilling at gas stations asking me for a cig or a dollar for gas or whatever, Ill throw my money in the trash before I give it to those fucks.

[ErikKiller]

Helping an old lady, yes.
Giving money for a person who needs beer-money, hella yes!
Giving money to random beggars, kinda no.

[[JFG]Propaganda]

Old lady hitting you with her walking stick thinking you are trying to rob her.

[Ennui]

If someone asked me for help like your old lady did, I would certainly do it and feel good about myself afterwards. When I just see people that I could help in one way or another in everyday life (walking past people who are talking about how to get somewhere that I know how to get to, etc) it's not consistent. If I'm having a good day and I'm in a good mood with lots of energy a lot of times I'll come over and help them however, otherwise I'll probably just keep walking. I am probably more inclined to helping people at random than most people but still very far from doing it as a regular everyday thing. It really does improve one's mood though.

[ErikKiller]

If someone asked me for help like your old lady did, I would certainly do it and feel good about myself afterwards. When I just see people that I could help in one way or another in everyday life (walking past people who are talking about how to get somewhere that I know how to get to, etc) it's not consistent. If I'm having a good day and I'm in a good mood with lots of energy a lot of times I'll come over and help them however, otherwise I'll probably just keep walking. I am probably more inclined to helping people at random than most people but still very far from doing it as a regular everyday thing. It really does improve one's mood though.

...and that applies for me too

[BillyDa59]

I was honest with my vote. I'd help the old lady, but I like to pretend my time is valuable, even thought it's not. I'm also kind of a penny-pincher but I've been known to be generous.

I'm generous because I know karma works... somehow. Not on a supernatural level, but I honestly believe that good deeds you do affect you very slightly and subconsciously. Then when you're in a time of need other people subconsciously notice these nuances and it modifies their likeliness to help you. Seems kooky, I know, but its a system I believe is in effect.