Not everyone does the right thing. A few years back I remember a student of mine saying how he had once found a wallet and instead of trying to return it, he took the cash and tossed it. I can't believe he did that. Granted, he was young and one of the more troublesome students, but still, you would expect that people would try to do the right thing in a situation like that.
Today, I had the opportunity to help someone out, and I wanted to, but I passed on it because I was unsure. Let me explain. I was shopping for some parts for my car when a stranger approached me and asked if I could give him a jump start for his car. I was a little surprised, but I was willing to help. I asked him where the car was and he said it was little ways away, somewhere where I was unfamiliar with. The area I was in, is not a very good area, and I was not sure I could trust this guy. He was friendly, but something about the situation just told me not to risk it.
I thought perhaps I would go to this car with this guy to help him out and then get jumped or robbed or worse. I didn't have a lot of time to think about all the different variables at the time, so I told him I was kind of in a hurry. He thanked me anyway and we parted ways. I would have liked to help him for sure, if only I could be certain his intentions were genuine. At the time I thought, why couldn't he call someone he knew, or ask someone out by where his car was parked. I just felt like it might have been a scam or something, so I passed up the opportunity.
Have you ever been in a situation like this? Have you done a good deed for a stranger or have someone go out of their way to help you out?
