Walk on by

Very tricky poser,it depends on the actual situation,in the main I would help, however Mrs A has pointed out the error of my ways, so now I think twice before offering help. I agrre with your last sentence Dave

Admiral

Very true, I would also feel uneasy about approaching a child in distress/lost, however I would call the police straight away

As for the guy in the video, strangely I looked at what he was wearing. He seemed smartly dressed so I would have thought "Oh not the run of the mill drunk/druggy" so I would have approached him, wrong I know but its how I look at some people these days, a decision based on how they are dressed. Another sad reflection on myself and probably others.

I,m not a walk on by person and never have been but i have too agree its a risky business "helping" people these days which i think is very,very sad but haveing said that i would find it very difficult not too try too help any person in distress.

peter.

No matter what the distress you witness it could become much worse without your attempt at intervention.

I am not a walk by person either and was shocked when I heard of the local primary school bus broken down in winter.  2 local women ( one a mother) stopped to see if they could help BUT both refused when the bus driver asked if they would take a girl behind a hedge for a wee!!  Surely they could have stayed in sight of the bus and still helped?  Brave child apparently replied "I shall just have to wet the seat then!"

However my daughter sells at shows And one of her young customers returned in tears having been separated from her parents. Daughter called security but the child became hysterical and didn't want to go with the man.  Parents were very nasty to my daughter for not forcing the child to go with Security!  Crazy or what?

The trouble is that society has changed and despite the fact that I believe it is  much safer out there today than it was in the 50's, 60's and 70's, we bring up our young  to believe that every lone person, male or female are almost certainly rapists and murderers!  The result of that teaching of fear is that many people today who are in real distress, are ignored by potential helpers who do not want to be accused of assault.

When I was much younger, I must have assisted at least 10 or so lone females who had either run out of fuel, or had a puncture. I was in the motor trade in those days & always carried a spare can of fuel, and I certainly knew how to change a tyre.  Would I risk doing it today? - No chance!

That is what the teaching of fear has done. It's actually increased the risk to lone femails, - who are now left un assisted in many instances.

TF