You're walking down a street and someone begs you for help. Do you stop to help them or do you walk on by ignoring their plea for help?

[thegreenyogi]

[Zack-Bann]

People said it depends on the person


I would say: it depends on the street


There are places where I wouldn’t stop moving as though my life depends on it (because it does)


And places where normally nothing really happens and a person in distress could actually be a person who needs a hand with something


I would help.
But if by help they mean “give me money” chances are I’ll keep walking.
1. I never carry cash
2. There are tons of reasons why encouraging begging is harmful to the general population. Unfortunately too many people don’t understand that

[thegreenyogi]

It's quite a dilemma sometimes isn't it.

[thegreenyogi]

I find it difficult sometimes to deal with a guilty conscience about choosing not to help. It's a matter of survival but it does make me think about it.

[HawkPerception]

Always depends on who it is. The key is always to assess the danger level first. If it's someone who looks like a psycho or not right in their mind, I'd rather avoid any unnecessary drama. But if they appear harmless and genuine, I'll help if it's within my ability to do so.

There have been many scenarios in my life where I have helped others who asked for help.

It might seem cold to ignore sometimes, but we all judge others based on how they look and if you assess that they might be a threat, self preservation kicks in. It's not a bad thing. It's just survival instincts.

[Amy10223]

You need to be careful at all times. Look to see if you see anyone else, waiting and looking at you. They may be a part of a plan to rob you or worse. This same thing happened in my town, and the person posted it as a warning. A woman in a car with no cell phone (she claimed) asked a pedestrian for directions. There were two men across the street. The woman was walking two huge dogs. The woman asking for directions suddenly went back into her car (she had gotten out of the car and left it in the middle of the street). Then the pedestrian kept walking. A few minutes later, the same woman came up to her slowly, and had those same two men in the car with her. Her dogs began growling. She got away from them by walking in the opposite direction quickly. Be careful folks.

In another case, years ago I was approached by a man outside a supermarket who was walking unsteadily with a cane. He had been outside the store and came back out. When he came up to me, he told me he wasn't crazy, and just needed money to get back to NYC. I asked him "How much do you need, sir?"... and he looked up at the sky with tears in his eyes, and said, "You've sent me an angel". I hope that man is in better shape now than he was then.

[RandomGirl42]

Oh, yes, of course. I mean what a golden opportunity to show to the world how great and awesome and all kinds of wonderful things that I am while the paparazzi cameras are rolling , capturing my good side, live as I help this poor helpless , lost soul , forever transforming their meager existence with the mere presence of my awesome, amazing, wonderful narcissism and oh, so cute vanity. *Flashes award winning smile* And, of course, after the cameras are shut off I'm taking all my shit back. The fuckin' bum.

[boundless]

It depends on what they ask me to help them with. I've given homeless people food before and gave them cigarettes on a cold night when I use to smoke a long time ago if they asked. If they were hungry and I wasn't too far from home, I might go home and grab them some canned food if they were desperate, but generally they want cash to feed addictions or they are just are hustling a con using victimhood to exploit people for money as a daily grind. I have no problem sharing some food with hungry people that are friendly. I've often considered carrying around extra canned goods in my car to give to homeless people, but they are always begging for money when you see them on the side of the road. It's usually when they are sleeping in a bush or something like that when they are hungry...

[Sunrising]

I was a approached by a rough looking guy, smaller than myself, one early evening at a cash machine, with nobody around.

Ok they probably thought I couldn't be intimidated, but they could have been on drugs or drunk, I had no way of knowing.

They were asking for paper money to get them home, or if not I thought, I'd be attacked, because they could see I had money.

I politely said no, while dealing with the cash from the machine, but I was ready for his next reaction. He was disappointed and turned away, probably been successful many times previously, with people thinking it better to give them what they were asking for, rather than be attacked, or in future when again seen alone and vulnerable.

The problem is if someone is intimidated and frightened, this is more likely to happen again the next time they or their friends see you again walking alone.

[RavVid]

Absolutely that is my whole goal. To get further down street whilst they are a yelling 'hey I am talking to you'.

Obviously I live in an area where a lot of people want help to get there next drug hit. The smarter ones have stopped asking for money towards food because some people go buy them food just to upset them and piss them off.

Instead they try to get you to talk to them so you will bribe them to go away but I just pretend I am deaf.

About 0.000000243% of the time it is a legitimate request for help.

[Anonymous]

Stop and help. I've done it multiple times. I've been in two bar fights on behalf of strangers that I witnessed being assaulted and I carry tissues and caramels on my person at all times so if I see someone crying or struggling with stress I can cheer them up. I kind of have to help people who need it because I feel sick and cowardly when I look the other way.

"Every man is guilty of the good he did not do."

Voltaire

In my mind every time you see someone who needs help you are capable of giving and you do nothing that's evil. If there's nothing you can do there's nothing you can do but if you just stand there or walk away fuck you.

[sage2021]

I've always jumped in and helped people without even thinking about it. It never used to be a problem, and I was always glad to help.
But these days I am very reluctant to help when approached by anyone.
If my own caregiver I had for 5 years would steal all of my belongings on moving day, what could a complete stranger have in mind to do to me?

My trust has been broken!

[OneViewpoint]

Sure. I’ll just unbutton my blazer and flash the double shoulder holster with 2 H&K MK23’s with suppressors resting inside and ask what sort of help they’re looking for.

Doesn’t work with the mentally ill on the streets of Manhattan though.

[Chazmatazz269]

Depends on the context. If they look like they actually need help and i’m in a position to be helpful, then i help.
Typically it’s a con coming from a deadbeat or criminal. They’re relatively easy to spot and i usually find a way to remove myself from the situation without letting on that i know they’re full of sh*t.

[petitedollbabee]

Depends on the help they need. If they’re begging for money or an addiction substance, I ignore and keep walking. If they’ve had a medical incident and they’re bleeding or struggling to stay conscious, then yes I would help and call an ambulance.

[RxR0954]

same

[exitseven]

If they are bleeding I would help them. If they need money for booze and dope I tell them to find a job.

[hafinjun]

You know a few years back i was out for bike ride and I crashed. I looked worse then I was but I had to find my bus stop get to train station which took me home, i was bleeding from forehead
My left elbow and right knee and until I was on the train and the conductor saw me no one bothered to ask if I was OK.

[exitseven]

@hafinjun I believe it.

[Kelley1]

It varies depending on who, for example a child, handicaped, or elderly, and what they asking help for..

[PeachyPie93]

Depends what they want.. if its something I can't be bothered to do I would say sorry I'm late I have to go..

[douride2]

I used to stop &try to help. With what's going on these days I just walk on by & try to ignore things.

[HighValue]

It depends on who they are, how they look, and what kind of person I think they are based on their appearance.

[slatyb]

It depends on what they want. There are a lot of people panhandling in Seattle. I never carry cash, so...

[Nikki1989]

Unless they appear dangerous, I would stop and help.

[genericname85]

depends on the situation. if it's some granny asking me to help her cross the street, i sure will. if it's some beggar or fent-bender asking for cash, fuck'em.

[FreyaRed]

If the person just wants money for drugs or alcohol I ignore that.

[StevenMcGarrett]

Being from New York and walk down any street and to be harassed by everyone asking for help, my tendency is to say no. But sometimes I say yes, it depends on the person and what they want.

[Agape93]

Unless I know em or they're being kidnapped or raped, it ain't my problem.

[Massageman]

I don't "walk down streets". I DO carry a cared for our church Food Pantry that I give to those who ask for food however.

[MrJuicyBred]

Help, thats what we are sup[posed to do.
besides you know what they say...
Doing service for others is like wetting your pants,
everyone can see what you have done,
but only you can feeel the warmth. :-)

[NoOneEver]

I tell them I don’t help people for free to see how they respond.

[Shiprex]

Depending on whether I think I can help. I'd call emergency services if not.

[DrPepper12]

It depends on the "totality of circumstances" of the encounter.

[Xawyx-2]

Depends on who that person is, it might be some fraud.

[whiskeyontherocks]

Not enough context. Just to be on the safe side, No…

[TonyMetal___86]

I'll stop to see what they want, i can feel if it's a trap or if the person is real...

[Ironco]

I try and help, but I read the situation at all times.

[Cidknee]

I help them. Im not from a big city and we all help others in the country.

[msc545]

Depends on what they need and how they look.

[Dreamclouds]

If I can I always help and never expect anything in return, I just love helping I think people are born good

[Telekinetic-Potato]

If I can I will

[Staximus]

That depends on the situation

[hafinjun]

No I stop, I will at least hear the problem.

[sirderpsalot123]

I'd try to help

[shortster]

I usually help if I can.

[Darkest-Knight]

Stop and try to help.

[Nice222]

I stopped and help. It’s my nature to help

[HighSchoolCustodian]

I’d be cautious cause it could be a trap.

[noohair]

I will call 911.