What Would You Do (Not reading related)

[Mandiann]

On my way home I ran into a dilemma. I was unsure what to do and am wondering what decision other people would make in my place.

I was driving home alone and it was dark. A man was stopped in a car blocking the left turn lane of a small but busy intersection. He had his fourway lights on. I could hear his engine trying to turn over to start. My immediate reaction was to stop and help but the minute I stopped I thought to myself 'is this a bad idea?'

I was worried it could be one of those traps you hear about to bait and kidnap people. But I had already stopped before I thought of this. I reasoned with myself that I had heard his engine failing to turn over and that that was not something you could fake. I helped the man boost his car with my truck. He seemed baffled as to why his car would suddenly die at an intersection when it was working fine before. He was grateful as I know I would have been in his position. I followed him home in case he had car problems again (turns out we live on the same street). I am happy I helped and hope good karma will come my way.

Do you think this was a stupid decision? Was I being overly paranoid? What would you have done in my place?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

ACK! although I wasn't there and I wasn't in your place so I can't fully assess the situation

on the face of it, it makes me nervous

They CAN fake an engine dying. If you know cars, you know you can disable parts that make it sound like it won't turn or you can fake it from the car....

although it sounds awful, I would NOT have helped.

There have been many times when my husband and I have pulled over to help people. We have unlimited AAA so we've helped people get towed or jumped or get gas or any number of things - but I never do it alone. ...

But I've lived through an attack - lucky enough to talk about it afterwards. I know how quickly a situation can turn from something that seems harmless to something entirely out of your control.

I always think, go with your gut. And I'm glad you're safe :)

[Gisbelle]

I think I would not have stopped and helped either. It might make me sound like a very bad person, but I would not have risked it.

It's great that he was not a bad person, Mandiann.

[Mandiann]

I know, I am very relieved. I think it is a problem that I never think before offering help. I pray I don't end up in trouble because of it one day.

It is good to know that the engine dying can be faked. I am not very knowledgeable about vehicles. Thank you for educating me, Trisha.

Knowing that you ladies would not have stopped makes me feel a bit better about possibly making a different decision in the future.

[Kataraina]

I'm internalizing a complicated situation in my head about this question..
So im not going to decide, until one day im drving and see someone stuck..
But I must say

You must be the most kindest person ever to do that. considering you were the only one, out of.. how many cars to help the guy out.

[Mehsi]

Though I don't have a car/license. If I was driving there, I probably wouldn't have stopped. One, we have a car service here that you can call (through phone or with call things they have on the side of the roads) and they will help you/come to you so they can help you, and two because I am a woman, and no way am I stopping in the dark, alone. I got a boyfriend and parents and other family to think about.
If however it was day, and there would be enough people around (cars and such), I would probably have stopped and asked if he needed help or if he called the car service.

But it is really nice to hear that you choose to stop, that is really kind of you to do so.

[Veronica]

I'm happy to hear you did help him but personally I don't think I could have stopped. If my husband was with me then of course I would tell him to stop and help the man. You were brave!

[Becky]

I don't think I would have stopped, however I would have probably called the police station to let them know he needed help.

I'm so glad it worked out. I'm also sad that we hve to think of ANY of this and can't just stop to help a fellow human in need without worrying!

[Lynn]

I agree it could be dangerous if you were alone. I might have stayed in my car and asked if he needed me to call someone, if there were a way to keep a safe distance.

[Brianna♥]

Being on the other side of this (my car has died a few times and I was stranded on the side of the road), I still don't think I would have stopped. Especially since it was a man. For one, I don't know what to do in those situations and don't know anything about cars to be of any help, and two, that could be a pretty dangerous situation. If it was a woman, it might have been different, but my gut is still telling me that it still would probably be no.
When I was stuck on the side of the road, I had a couple people stop and ask if I needed help, but I wouldn't get out of my car and told them I had help coming (even before my dad was on his way to help). You just hear all these bad stories, and I was scared because I was completely defenseless with nowhere to go if they were bad people. The only thing I could do was lock myself in the car and tell them I didn't need help. If they were good people who just wanted to help (like you! :)), then that is great and appreciated! However, I was still not going to let anyone near me. And again, I wouldn't even know what they could do to help me since I don't know that much about cars. That's why I just let my dad come and fix it for me. :)