Moral Question

[Dan in Pasadena]

OF COURSE you help! if you don't you're an asshole..

Why is this even a question?

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[MMMII]

OF COURSE you help! if you don't you're an asshole..

Why is this even a question?

I guess it all depends on the situation and probably something we should all think about in advance.

After we left the scene…. Wife and I got into an interesting conversation..

What if the people waiving us down on the highway were 3 “sketchy” looking dudes? There were 4 adults and 4 minors in 2 rigs in this situation. I probably would’ve stopped and confirmed their ‘sketchiness‘ by hearing what their deal was and told them I’d call for assistance once we got into cell range.

If we were in fact outnumbered (without our friends behind us) I would have kept driving and called highway patrol once in range.

Not sure if that would constitute me being an asshole or not but I feel it would be in-line with not putting my family in a dangerous situation.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Depends on how YOU define "sketchy". I won't get into it here because it could easily cross into a political discussion. The truth is none of us know when a complete stranger is "sketchy" or not but I choose not to live my life in fear of the human race.

 

[AmishMike]

OF COURSE you help! if you don't you're an asshole..

Why is this even a question?

Yes, if I was IN my Jeep, I naturally would have went right over to help. 'Help someone if you can'.
Since I would have had to go home to get the Jeep, this opened up a discussion. They were somewhere that they should not have been, middle of the day, were in no danger, got stuck because they were driving like an idiot, and there was easy help within walking distance (might have cost them $50).

The dilemma is, do you just help or do you let them learn?



Yes, I am an asshole and I own that.

 

[Mark’s Mojave]

The dilemma is, do you just help or do you let them learn?

In my 58 years, I’ve learned more from people being kind when I made a boneheaded decision than when some stranger decided it was their place to teach me a lesson. We’ve all made stupid choices. I figure if I helped these boneheads, I would have an opportunity to teach them, in a kind way, about how unforgiving the sand can be and how important it is to know what your vehicle can and can’t do.

And let’s be honest. If they see me in my JT with a winch on front and I don’t help, what are they really going to take away from that? Jeepers are jerks. Now, I understand that a winch isn’t the tool for this job, but they don’t know that. All they see is a guy who has the ability to help and didn’t.

 

[Hootbro]

Getting stuck is the lesson most will learn from. Generally I would try to help if I can.

That being said, I had one instance many years ago out camping when a bunch of jackasses were tearing up the camp grounds with their stupidity. Later found them stuck out on the trail and our group just passed them by and left them there to figure it out. Reap what you sow kind of instance.

 

[jac04]

It's interesting how such a simple question can be so complicated.

On one hand, I always like to be helpful and treat other people the way I want to be treated. On the other hand, what happens if something goes wrong, which can happen even in the most basic recovery situation? And sometimes you just have no idea who you are 'helping' and what they are capable of. IMO you always help someone in imminent danger. Other than that, you've got a potentially tough decision to make.

 

[Tim]

It's interesting how such a simple question can be so complicated.

On one hand, I always like to be helpful and treat other people the way I want to be treated. On the other hand, what happens if something goes wrong, which can happen even in the most basic recovery situation? And sometimes you just have no idea who you are 'helping' and what they are capable of. IMO you always help someone in imminent danger. Other than that, you've got a potentially tough decision to make.

Bingo. If I have my wife and kid with me I am a little more reluctant to put myself out there. There is always a chance of a criminal act of some sort, however remote that may be. More importantly one may break their own rig or injure themselves. That leaves those who directly rely on them in a bad spot. Then of course those being "rescued" may suffer damage or injuries as a result of the situation.

I generally lean towards helping but each situation is different and needs to be assessed on it's own merits.

 

[MPMB]

Ambiguous situation requires ambiguous response. To paraphrase Albus Dumbeldore: "I amend my previous statement that help will always be given to those that need it to help will always be given to those that deserve it."

If I can help, I'll help.

One night coming home from work there was a bad windstorm and it knocked some trees and branches on the road. An unfortunate driver in an Accent hit one of the downed limbs and popped his tire. Narrow road with no shoulders and lots of twisties, and no street lights on a rainy night. Not a great position. I parked and helped him, even if it was just holding my cell phone to light the wheel as he bolted it on.

 

[aristobrat]

Does this SUV contain attractive single females?

Ha.

One of my very first dumb "stucks" was resolved when an attractive female friend told me to walk away for a bit so she could pretend that my stuck Jeep was hers.

Whereas I was getting no help from passing vehicles, the first one that came along when the Jeep looked like hers stopped and helped.

 

[Jaxmax]

Yes, I still feel bad about that, but the first time I passed there was just an ugly guy standing there! I even still feel bad about leaving you stuck there while your friend rode away with me!…..Jack?

 

[WXman]

There are some states that have made it illegal to pick up strangers stranded on the road. The question is, why?

I know that sand isn't a public road. But it's something to think about....

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yes, if I was IN my Jeep, I naturally would have went right over to help. 'Help someone if you can'.
Since I would have had to go home to get the Jeep, this opened up a discussion. They were somewhere that they should not have been, middle of the day, were in no danger, got stuck because they were driving like an idiot, and there was easy help within walking distance (might have cost them $50).

The dilemma is, do you just help or do you let them learn?



Yes, I am an asshole and I own that.

I always find it interesting when someone owns negative observations about their behavior or their words.

What makes YOU, me or anyone for that matter someone’s self appointed “teacher”? NOTHING is the answer.

I found this quote awhile ago and I think it fits here:
People who say things like, 'I'm just an asshole!”

No. You lack the emotional maturity to deal with others and use nastiness as a defense. It's not cool as a trait. Try to be nice.

 

[jeepney12]

I'd help cause I was thinking what if the same thing happened to me.

 

[kevman65]

I try to help. If they set off my "dickhead" alarm I move on.

As in they were dumb enough to get in the situation, but proceed to tell me I'm doing everything wrong by their standards to help them. Too old to tolerate it any longer.

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