I encountered a situation last Thursday that continues to weigh heavy on my brain.  It was morning and I was on my way into work.  It was early and snowing.  On route 17, I came across a pick-up truck stuck in a snowbank.  It was dark and as I approached it and saw that the occupants were alone, I began to slow down to offer them help.  That's what I should do, right?

As I slowed down,  I noticed that the female was waving me down.  I quickly discovered, she wasn't waving me down, in fact, she was waving the middle finger at me.  I immediately second guessed my decision to stop.  I asked if they needed help and the male said "Yes please.".  I explained that even with the bird being flashed at me, I'd be more than happy to help.

Apparently she was waving the bird because numerous drivers had driven on by not offering assistance.  I get it.  She was frustrated.  I was there and I was willing to help.  That's what I was going to do.

However, this whole situation has me thinking how people helping people is a thing of the past.  For many many reasons.  You just don't know who you can trust.  I can certainly understand why people continued to drive by.  It was very early.  It was dark.  I was alone...so, could this potentially could be a dangerous situation I was putting myself into?  I didn't know these people.  Also, I was clearly being greeted with the middle finger.  Who stops in these conditions?  What could these 2 have done better to make someone want to stop and help them?

Now, if I had been the one stuck on the side of the road...I'm not so sure I'd want a random stranger stopping to help me.  Again, because of the world we unfortunately live in now, you just don't know who you can trust.  A woman stranded on the side of the road, in the dark, in a rural area...some much could possibly go wrong with this scenario.  But, sometimes, you have no choice but to accept help from a stranger.

I guess, you have to approach each situation differently.  I hope these 2 are grateful I stopped.  I hope they learned that all people aren't worthy of "the bird".  I also hope, they can see why others just passed them by.  I certainly would understand why people would drive by me if I was stranded.

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