Has it really come to this?

I read the "Love thy neighbour" thread and funnily enough, I experienced the "love" of my fellow man this morning. Part of my travels takes me to Birmingham twice every 6 weeks where I spend a pleasant day amongst my parishoners as it were. This morning I had a puncture just outside Stourbridge and spent half an hour replacing the wheel. As the spare had been under my van for months without a thought, it had lost air and was too soft for safety. Just 50yds down the road on the same side was a tyre depot! Marvellous I thought! I popped in and showed my black hands and the tyre which was obviously soft and explained the situation. I asked if it would be possible to put some air in it to assist me on my way. " yeah, £2.50" came the reply. I beg your pardon says I - he repeated his demand. I explained I had no money with me so he immediately put the airline down and walked away! I said all I want is air, I don't want to buy the airline!!. He looked at me and said "We charge and thats it". I told him that I hoped, when he wanted help and was in a fix, he asked for help from someone like him!! I drove off, found a garage and blew it to the correct pressure. Has life in this country come down to this? Pounds and Pence or sod off?  The world won't go round quite as it did in the past I fear! I am still annoyed at the sheer calousness of this action!