If you saw a stranger in trouble, would you help them or walk away?

1. 61

   Film Fanatic 603posted 12 years ago

   If you saw a stranger in trouble, would you help them or walk away?

   replyreport
2. 73

   d.williamposted 12 years ago

   Do you honestly believe anyone would actually say:  " i would walk away"? 
   Well, maybe i am being too hasty here.  There are many instances when people have seen gay people being beaten down who laugh and walk away.  So, i do believe there are many who would say "yes, i would walk away" after all.   
   For me, the answer is a resounding NO i would not walk away.

   replyreport
   1. 61

      Film Fanatic 603posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You have a point people can say they would but you never know until you are put in that situation.

      replyreport
3. 69

   RealHousewifeposted 12 years ago

   Interesting question.  I just saw this show that I will link.  I think I would always help - the only time I can think that I would not is if the situation would bring harm to my children.  There are very dangerous parts of St. Louis and you must be aware that people will pretend to be in trouble to get you to stop.  Carjacking here is ubiquitous.  If my kids were with me or if I was alone I might opt to just phone 911 and have no personal contact.

   replyreport
   1. 69

      RealHousewifeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/

      replyreport
   2. 61

      Film Fanatic 603posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is true and I would hope everyone would at least call the police.

      replyreport
4. 72

   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 12 years ago

   Usually I do, but it depends. If somebody in trouble looks like trouble, I might shy away. For example, if guys are drinking and get in a fight, I don't feel a responsibility to get involved.
   
   Car problems, sure. I have a 4wd and a tow chain and jumper cables. The biggest problem somebody usually has in changing a flat tire is getting the lug nuts off. I have a 4-way tire iron where you can get some leverage and loosen them.
   
   One of the weirdest situations I encountered was when I was driving down a road next to a cemetery and I noticed a large something in the middle of the road. At first I thought it was a deer, but as I slowed down and went around it I wasn't sure. I pulled over and went to check it out. Some drunk guy passed out. I dragged him off the road and into the cemetery, called the state police, and waited until they got there. I suspect he would have got run over because I'm lucky I saw him in time.

   replyreport
5. 61

   Traci21posted 12 years ago

   It honestly depends on the situation. If it is raining and someone is having car trouble on the side of the road I will say a prayer for them. I am to afraid of people pretending to be in trouble just to satisfy gang friends.
   I remember hearing about gangs leaving a car seat and a baby doll near the woods and when someone went to check it out and help they got pulled into the woods and murdered.
   I would call the police station or 911 if I thought something looked suspicious though.

   replyreport
6. 82

   pstraubie48posted 12 years ago

   often, I do. But it is always in broad daylight with lots of folks around. I do not pick up individuals and transport them in my car if they are strangers nor do I get out of my car if they are along the road I will roll down the window and ask if I can send someone to come help them though.

   replyreport
7. 61

   S Leretsehposted 12 years ago

   I think this question is similar to asking someone before he sits down at a chess game, "What will be your 15th move?"

   replyreport
   1. 60

      JBrumettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, most people don't think ahead to far when it comes to scenarios presented to them.  So, that's a good point.

      replyreport
8. 60

   ErinEliseposted 12 years ago

   Recently I was in a situation where I had to rescue my little 4 pound dog from fan irrigation ditch up in the mountains.  The water was moving really fast and it was about 45 degrees.  Without thinking I jumped in to get her out, but then I wasn't able to get myself out due to the angle of the canal and the fact that the cement walls were slimy making it impossible to get a grip.  My kids were with me and they started trying to flag down cars on a road that not many cars go down.  Three or four cars passed four kids with our dogs and none of them stopped.  Finally, two ladies on their way to a camping trip stopped to help me and pulled me up out of the canal.  I was amazed that so many people just passed us by though.
   
   As far as me stopping to help someone or walk away, I would NOT walk away either.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      ErinEliseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oops I mean "an" rather than "fan".  Sorry!

      replyreport
9. 60

   brewskitimeguyposted 12 years ago

   absolutely...there is no doubt...just part of my nature and upbringing

   replyreport
10. 74

    SidKempposted 12 years ago

    I would stay and help, or stay and call for help. But I've been reflecting on this since I answered a similar question a few weeks ago, and read the other answers. The danger of violence these days - either a trick or trap, or just that the person in need of help may, like a desperate drowning man, pull me down with them, was raised by several people. I am tempering my own view by seeing that it also makes sense for me to take care of my own safety.

    replyreport
11. 62

    debugsposted 12 years ago

    I would first try and make sure that the person is NOT a mugger doing an "act". If I an totally certain, YES, I definitely would.

    replyreport
12. 67

    Sharminatorposted 12 years ago

    I asked myself this question many years ago when I was much younger. Hoping that the answer would be help them.
    Since then I have helped a number of people out over the years. Some that I have never seen again and a couple that I now see out and about in passing. They always smile and say hi. These are people that would never have spoken to me if I had not offered them assistance.
    So yes; I would step in and help and I now know that to be a fact.
    Still for those that I have helped and never seen again, I cannot help but wounder if they are ok and if they would recognized me if we passed again.

    replyreport
13. 95

    sgbrownposted 12 years ago

    Of course I would try to help them, but you have to be cautious these days too.  If I feel it may be dangerous to get too involved, I would definately go for additional help or call 911.  I would never just walk away!

    replyreport
14. 0

    aurorastoneposted 12 years ago

    In almost all instances, I would help, but there are some times where you just have to use common sense and think, does this look fishy? For example, we've had cases here where a man pretends he's having car trouble in an isolated underground parking lot; he asks a woman for help and then she gets robbed! In those cases, I would be careful....

    replyreport
15. 40

    mckinney5252posted 12 years ago

    Depends on the trouble; some troubles are not meant to be shared or interrupted.  Common sense is always the best motivator; it'll preserve your life as well as the lives of others.

    replyreport
16. 60

    Angela Kaneposted 12 years ago

    I don't know, I would be cautious because I don't know the kind of help they need. My biggest issue is helping someone who is in danger and in turn causing me harm.

    replyreport
17. 75

    handymanbillposted 12 years ago

    Without a doubt I would help. If only to sit and wait after calling 911, to make sure police arrived.

    replyreport
18. 74

    DS Dubyposted 12 years ago

    When I was 18 I got robbed when I tried to help a man who was having a seizure. I would still stop to help, I believe in karma and my heart is way to soft to actually leave someone in distress regardless of who they are. Right is right wrong is wrong.

    replyreport
    1. 74

       DS Dubyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Lol downvoted for still having faith in humanity after a single bad incident  lol thats to funny!

       replyreport
    2. 74

       stanwshuraposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Too bad votes aren't moderated or require a short written explanation for a moderator or author to review.  I doubt Random House or Merriam/Webster ever allowed anonymous critiques or up/down votes!

       replyreport
19. 87

    christin53posted 12 years ago

    I like to think I would help but it would depend on the situation. If it were a child I wouldn't even stop to think I would help immediately. If it were an adult I would have to check I wouldn't be putting myself at risk by helping.

    replyreport
20. 60

    cascolyposted 12 years ago

    we do it all the time on ski slopes or while climbing - it's amazing the number of people who just ski right on by after someone's taken a nasty fall!
    
    in more pedestrian life too, i stop if it looks like someomne needs help  - yes, they might be 'gang members' or other bad folk, but we can't let these overblown fears start affecting our basic morality
    
    in seattle where about 1/2 the population knows CPR, it's been said that if you fall down on a sidewalk, your biggest risk is geting a cracked rib from someone rushing to give you CPR

    replyreport
    1. 72

       BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       LOL about the cracked ribs from CPR. I do go out of my way to give hot babes the Heimlich maneuver.

       replyreport
21. 73

    Kimberly Vaughnposted 12 years ago

    Depends on the situation. I would either help directly or call for help.

    replyreport
22. 53

    whonunuwhoposted 12 years ago

    I think that most people would try to help as well as we can. Sometimes it means risking our own lives, and once I had to try and help put out flames on a friend who was burning to death. All that I did was not enough to save his life.,yet in this process, it gave me strength and determination to make up for my human weakness in the future years of my life, I devoted to teaching needy children.

    replyreport
23. 60

    YvetteParkerposted 12 years ago

    This is a very interesting question. I think you have to be very careful and prayerful when approaching a stranger that appears to be in trouble.
    
    Many people with good intentions have been harmed, flim-flammed, robbed, etc. in such situations, where the individual was not in trouble at all.
    
    I am all for helping; but I would recommend that anyone placed in such a situation be led by the Holy Spirit as to whether to help or walk away. There is nothing wrong with walking away; especially if the situation feels suspicious to you. Never override the leading of the Holy Spirit and good moral judgment.

    replyreport
24. 65

    Laurinzo Scottposted 12 years ago

    Yes I would have to help... because the only way to actually see God, is to see other people. We may be entertaining an angel unawares, and besides that , we will all need some help ourselves at different times. Remember too that "the rich man, and Lazurus" It doesn't mention that the rich man did anything evil to Lazurus, except that he did absolutely nothing, one way or the other... when he could have(had the means to help).

    replyreport
25. 89

    Pamela99posted 12 years ago

    I would be cautious, especially if it was dark.  If a child was involved I would be more inclined to help immediately. I would not hesitate to call the police, firemen or the paramedics and stay until help arrived. It would really depend on the problem. If a person was in a car accident or fell I would help immediately as I am a nurse and could probably offer some real help. If it was in a dangerous area, I would place the 911 call and probably stand back if I was alone.

    replyreport
26. 52

    slywas007posted 12 years ago

    I would help as musch as I could without putting myself or my family in danger.  I would call the police or a tow truck for them if that was what they needed.  Nowadays you have to be careful because there are so many people with bad intentions that may try to trick you to rob you!!!

    replyreport
27. 74

    stanwshuraposted 12 years ago

    Not a second thought to it....I'd do what I could.  If s/he's in trouble, what harm can that person cause me - and how relieved and, well, frankly - out of danger - they would be.  In the end, that's your objective.  If you helped achieve it - excellent.  We are the miracle creators.  Whether you are religious or not - you can say that God acted THROUGH you, or you can say, as I believe, that basically decent human beings would jump in and help if, A.) they felt able, B.) they felt safe, C.) getting involved and making a mistake could make matters worse.
    
    Hell yeah - I'd stop and help them - and stick around until transport/ambulance/resident director/social worker/group home manager/husband/wife/brother - whoever could be with, comfort, care for, and help him/her better than I.  And if my help was truly no longer needed - then I'd be on my way - waving off whatever thank yous and (well, okay - I go for hugs - they are gifts of affection, warmth, and in this case, thanks - and they are precious) material attempt at gratitude offered replying, I believe karma begets itself.  I'd want somebody to help me.  And I have needed help many times in my life.
    
    It feels good to be in the right place at the right time and, whether instantly or after a couple deep breaths, to do the right thing.

    replyreport
    1. 74

       stanwshuraposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Really, Longjohns?  Minusing the decision to stop and help?  You're a trolling ass, You want me to go minus everything you're doing?  Oh that's right.  You're leaving because your politics is bullshit and so *this* is "cleaning house".  Nice life.

       replyreport
    2. 74

       DS Dubyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       You get my vote

       replyreport
    3. 74

       stanwshuraposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       *Thank* you, DS.  I appreciate it. 

       replyreport
28. 67

    maxoxam41posted 12 years ago

    I always help. I can't wait and watch someone being mistreated. It is in my nature.

    replyreport
29. 60

    JBrumettposted 12 years ago

    If it's someone with their shirt caught in a door; I'm going to say probably not.  =-P
    If it's someone with say a busted ankle from a hit and run, or something along those lines, sure why not help them out.

    replyreport
30. 74

    Mmargie1966posted 12 years ago

    I would definitely do whatever I could do to help them.  I find it hard to understand why any human being would walk away from someone in trouble. 
    
    That being said, I am also cautious.  If I am in a car, alone, not in a busy area, I will go by and call the police on my cell phone to send help.

    replyreport
31. 0

    Tawadiposted 12 years ago

    I've seen the videos of people who just walk past someone needing help and it sickens me.
    
    I would do all I could to help. I'm trained in first aid and could help someone until paramedics arrived. This training gives me the confidence that I could at least help, not making matters worse.
    
    I also have a permit to carry a firearm but I would be very reluctant to use it to help someone outside my family or circle of friends. I've seen too many people get sued for stupid reasons by stupid people so I reserve my weapon for covering the retreat of my family and/or myself.

    replyreport
32. 38

    Lightshareposted 12 years ago

    Sure, I will. Because all of our dear ones were strangers to us once. Is in't it ?

    replyreport