helping a stranger... did it worth the effort?

I think it was good for you to go over and help the old lady, keep doing this because not all react in the same way, I experienced once when a old lady was struggling to carry her tesco bags, as I was feeling sorry I helped her and put it in her car, in the end she gave me a nice thank you and a may god bless you. It was really nice to help her as she didn't mind me helping her. I have never experienced where I get a slap in lol.

Congratulations surfer! It was worth your effort to offer help. That is what matters, not her reaction. Anyway, Someone is watching us 24/7 and will always reward you for your kind deed. Yes, it has happened to me. I was holding the door for a lady with a walker, but instead of a smile, she said, "Sh--, I have no money, if that's what you want." A horrible slap on the face, wasn't it? I just consoled myself by thinking that maybe she's hard of hearing. But let's keep up our good intentions. More power to you, my friend, and tons of blessings from God.

No matter what the reaction or the response that you earn from a good deed, do not be discouraged from keeping on doing it. Perhaps, next time around, it will be better if you ask first if the person needs any help as you have some spare time to help her/him out. Just remember, it doesn't matter at all whether your efforts to help is appreciated or not, because, a good deed is a good deed. That alone is a product of a good heart. I am now of age myself but, I always make time for those whom I find to be in need of a helping hand. It is good to meet you, surfer.

Many people, especially the elderly need a sense of self-reliance. They are at the age where everything in their live is starting to fall apart. They need something to hang on to. But if this woman was trying to cross the street, she could have been in real danger. Instead of helping her to walk, you should have focused your attention on alerting cars that there was an elderly pedestrian in the road. I hope she made it.

Its still worth if you offer your help just to help other people. If you get slap still be humble and say that you just trying to help them. I know God will count your efforts and in the God's eye your a good person. Sometimes,some people don't know how to appreciate our efforts.

Yes, it is worth the effort to help a stranger, especially when you can see that "help" is needed, maybe like helping carry bags of groceries. Sometimes what we perceive as trouble, might really be "trouble" so it's better to ask if the person would like assistance. Also, older people may feel like their dignity is being stripped from them if they are not allowed to do certain things for themselves. We are all like children, we like to do things for ourselves, as it gives us a sense of independence. When we can do the things for ourselves we are empowered. I think it was great for you to want to help the lady cross the street, but definitely ask if "help" is needed.

I think the best thing to do in this instance is to approach and ASK if she needs any help before making any attempt to interfere with her efforts. Many older people are used to being independent and don't like it being brought to their (or anyone else's) attention that they may not be as able as they used to be. If they refuse your assistance then move on and wish them a good day and know that at least you made the effort to help. I don't know if that would make a difference or not, but that was the suggestion that was made during a Red Cross class I recently did for serving individuals with disabilities. Have a great weekend!!!

I used to work as security and was trained to help all handicap people. I was also faced by many angry people. But from actually working with the people i was told by a handicap person to ask if they would like help before actually helping. Many elderly and handicap do not want help but there are some who do. So my suggestion to you instead of just leaping in to help maybe just approach them and ask if they would like help.

I agree with most of these myLotters. Most of the time when I help someone, they say "thank you." My worst experences was when I worked as a clerical worker in a library in Detroit. There, when I tried to help some patrons on things like the copiers, they would get mad at me, although that was my job.

I often help strangers, they are very grateful of my help. I do not expecting anything from them. To avoid getting slap in face, I always watch and wait "are they get serious problem". But I think when I'm getting a problem there must be other people who came to help me, maybe it's a reward.

I think, trying to help a stranger is a part of good civilization. Sometimes the stranger may not welcome it or may refuse it. But there are occasions such helps brought great gratitude in the other persons giving proud moments to one. I have both types of these responses in life. I always try to give possible helps to strangers without giving much concerns to others responses.

It has never happened to me yet.Whenever I help other,they show me a smiling face and say,''thank you.'' Maybe it is just a rare case.Does it happen to you all the time? Just keep on helping.If they slap you because you wanted to help them just don't mind it.The good thing is you help.Who knows someone you helped comes back to help you when you needed a help.

How nice of you to hold out your hands to strangers^^ I always do the same thing and of course, sometimes their reaction were very thankful and we get to know each other better in the future. Sometimes they are annoyed and upset when we help them. But I always tell myself that it's okay, I tried to help but if they don't appreciate or don't want it, it's fine by me. I tend to examine more after that, whether that particular person really needs our help or is he or she the kind of person that will accept and appreciate our help. Be careful out there mate^_^

I would say that in this present age, many people are living in fear that they do not trust other people anymore. Everybody is regarded as a suspect, that even with good intentions, a word or deed is not viewed in a positive way. Not every stranger who is in distress or look like needing an assistance, really need help. So to be rather safe than sorry and embarrassed, I always ask first. No, I never had an untoward experience helping a stranger as yet.

Hello surfer. In This day and age it is difficult to trust stranger that offer to help especially if you are old and venerable. This might have more to do with the old lady refusing your help with crossing the road.

I don't like to see elderly people struggling across the road or carrying things, but I always say, "I don't want to intrude but would you like some help?" The answer can come across in a nasty way, but I've asked and I'm pleased that I have asked. I think some old people put up with lots of pain, and this doesn't make them very sociable and often rude, so I wouldn't say that it's the person who is being nasty, but the illness that is making them that way. I notice that I am not too polite when I am not feeling healthy, so I try and remember this with the older folk... _Derek

I think that the way it makes me feel to help someone else, even if they don't appreciate it, is worth continuing to try to help someone. You never know if it's the only nice gesture they've had in the day.

It's worth, my friend. The important was you extend your help to them if they can't accept...never mind. You do your part as a good Samaritan...

I am disabled and every time I go out, I get asked at least 3 times if I need help. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but I appreciate being asked. That woman may have felt that accepting help was like saying that she couldn't do things herself for whatever reason. Age or disablity are sometimes hard to accept. I have a degenerative disease, and when it first started getting bad, I didn't want to admit to myself or anyone else that I needed help. What I am trying to say is that you should keep offering your help if you can. You may encounter someone who doesn't want help, but you may encounter someone like me who sometimes needs and always is thankful for help.

Well this has never happened to me but once i was with a friend and she tried to help this old woman but she just started screaming at her. We didn't understand what was going on. Maybe the old lady was having a bad day.