So how do you guys/gals handle this situation?

If I see someone in dire need, I will surely help. I am ever aware of the risk, and hope that this will not be the last day I will see; but if it is, I am moving on with a clear conscience. I once helped a diabetic who was having a low sugar episode when every one else wrote him off as a drunk or drug addict and gave him a wide berth. He was grateful for the orange juice and cookie I bought him.
I refuse to be like my neighbors, who peek behind the curtains at perceived psychopaths. Yes, they are out there; I still maintain caution. But I will not imagine a psychopath hiding behind every bush.
Will I give a hitchhiker a ride? Maybe. Depends on how deep the snow is or how cold it is.

 

Hitch hiking is still pretty common around here, I'll pick em up once in awhile, usually kids in the area for work for the tourist season.

I'll stop to aid a motorcyclist pretty much every time, most times now days help is already on the way. Some very memorable encounters. There was this time about 15-20 years ago, I was on my bike on a camping/NASCAR trip, I came across a stranded couple on a Harley, his front wheel bearing was screaming, they were 20 miles from home, he didn't want to push his luck. I offered to give him a ride, on the back of my bike to his house so he could get his truck. He was a big guy, I could tell that the idea of riding b1t@h on another guys bike was not appealing. He looks at his lady friend, who by the way was smokin hot with some large...well they stepped aside and talked it over, and she agreed to go with me, i think i saw him hand her a pistol. I gave him my personal information, and told him the campground I was staying at, to make them feel at ease. No problems, I got her to his truck and followed her back to him to help them load the Harley up as it was on my way to the campground. Later in the evening they showed up at my campsite with steaks and beer.

 

My employer comes around with dog-n-pony show every year wanting us to help them help a large nationally known charity reach its goal locally. They always say that we can designate where the money goes if we have a problem with something that is being supported. I had a suspicion that it wasn't that simple so I asked, if I designate my $100 to XYZ, does XYZ then get (for example) $10100 instead of the $10000 they would have gotten. They said no, they still get $10,000, its just that your $100 is part of that money and none is sent sent to the ABC fund that you don't want to support
I said "so basically, a rising tide floats all ships" and now they get no mo my money! Me personally, I prefer to give to my church where I can see (or even be part of) the "results" of the donation

Back to the OP, you guys have brought up some good points...one of them being that I should have offered to go the gas station with them and bought the gas myself. I need to remember that one

 

Kind of a smart-arse thing to say, but I always tell them Charity begins at home--and that is just where my pay is going.
I do give to my own charities, though.

 

Hey..... Buds, and Budetts ...... can y'all spare a few bucks to help me .......I need gas money for my splitter. Oh and I'm hungry.....send Red Lobster gift cards.

 

Shoot, now there is a cause I can get behind...follow hoarder needs splitter gas, heck yeah. You want regular or high test!?
Dunno bout the Red Lobster...maybe can scrounge up something from KFC

 

It is good to be like this, but also remember that sometimes it is better to call for help then put yourself as the helper. As a firefighter my job is too help people stuck on the side of the road. One thing we never do is go out on the job alone, we always have a partner.

That being said DaveGunter story is the stuff being human is made of and lasts a life time.

Last time I picked up a hitchhiker was a few months ago. We had a good talk and he was thankful. But I could not help but think about my wife and kids as soon as he got in my truck, I started to worry if I had just made a mistake. I feel like these days I want to carry my 45 with me at all times so I can help out more and not have to worry as much.

Maybe I just read to much news? But my Aunts story really hit home, it made it real, not just a news story.

 

Will work for food signs I will offer them work... none take it.. end of conversation
cash 99% time no maybe if they got kids or a cute dog.. maybe I am a softee.. but I will go into whatever store to buy food for dogs or kids. .. not their fault the ones that are supposed to take care of them dont....

As for people stranded side of road... in town or cities probably no.. but a lot of places up here there is no cell phone service.. as I drove by check to see if I have service if not I will stop... if alone certainly.. if wife and kid in car maybe no if it's a bunch of 20 something guys.. woman kids elderly absolutely ... try to be a good Samaritan but not a sucker...

 

I wouldn't pick myself up if I was on the side of the road.
Heck they'd probably hit me and call it a Sasquatch sighting.....

 

Funny y'all mention hitch hikers I saw 3 in town today (pop 2500) granted it's on the interstate but that very unusual for here. One single and one couple with a dog all with backpacks, sleeping bags etc. I may have to agree with Screwloose some of these could have passed for a wondering Sasquatch!

 

Did someone say Sasquatch? Be careful if you see them alongside the road.

Woman hits deer on highway, blames bigfoot

 

Had a call after hours wanting me to come in and do $1000-1500 worth of work "and send me a bill" from a group of homeless want to be hippies traveling in an RV.

Kinda felt bad about the situation and since I was driving by where they were anyways; stopped looked and let them know I think the situation will turn out okay but without all the facts it's just an educated guess!

 

I remember that. I was just a kid Remember my pops talking about it