I've just done my civic duty, and it feels good.
At London Bridge station, there was a woman "in distress", sitting on the stairs. I walked past, just like a couple of other people. I couldn't let it go. I went back, and asked if she was okay. She was totally lost, and had no idea how to get home. I don't know either, but London Bridge is a big train hub, so her best bet is the main station (definitely not the tube). I send her on her way (denying her request to take her there). Maybe next time I'll be better.
That woman may just feel a bit better because of me. I hope someone does the same for me one day (actually, they already have, albeit in different circumstances). Everyone should do this - it's easy, and it's remarkably rewarding.
Comments
sorry... the cynic in me popped up there!
i remember going for a pizza in manchester and not eating the whole thing up.as we left and wandered down deansgate there was a homeless chap begging for money (this was before begging was clamped down on in manchester) but i've always decided not to give to beggars.
however, the pizza wasn't money (couldn't be used for anything other than food which money obviously could) and it was a nice feeling to give him half a (still warm) pizza that i really didn't need to eat.
knobs...
Considering the size of London, it's quite common to see people who look really lost, especially tourists. Just a few weeks ago, I helped a group of Italian tourists make sense of the bus map. I was waiting at the bus stop with them and they needed to take the same bus as me so I didn't really go out of my way to help them but considering how relieved they were, even the smallest things are welcome.
Bruno