tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post4581144766316715824..comments2024-01-30T05:22:06.674-08:00Comments on A Majority of Two: The Kindness Of Strangers...Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03382221688268676914noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-14681280344168816492010-07-05T12:39:51.109-07:002010-07-05T12:39:51.109-07:00I'd like to think I am the one that gives the ...I'd like to think I am the one that gives the money and arranges the taxi home...or if I don't have the money (and let's face it, I don't) I'd like to be the one that offers a ride in my car.<br /><br />On this past Friday there was an old man and middle aged woman parked on the highway just outside our town. They had a sign out asking for gas money or food. We drove by them twice while taking on our children to vacation bible school. Each time I said we should help. My husband said that this had become the new scam and that we couldn't be sure they were really in need. However...ten minutes later we were at home taking food out of the cabinets. Add in paper plates, baby wipes, cups, plastic sliverwear, drinking water. I didn't think of it until later but I wish we had stopped at the dollar store for toothpaste and toothbrushes. <br /><br />On the way back to pick up the children, we stopped...we were third in line behind tourists heading north for the 4th of July. The car ahead of us gave the man $100. We couldn't spare the money but we gave as much food as possible.<br /><br />What if it's a scam? True...but what if it isn't???Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00368978712434447398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-40943455975657428732010-07-05T10:02:21.832-07:002010-07-05T10:02:21.832-07:00This Administrator is part of the evil in this wor...This Administrator is part of the evil in this world and so is any one that agrees to this. This might be harsh, but who wouldn't give to this man even if it was for his own selfish gain. He's 80! All I can do about this situation is shake my head and pray for them. I hope one day these ladies will gain a sensitive heart.A.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11569881503763355767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-74541015147465924322010-07-04T14:39:38.538-07:002010-07-04T14:39:38.538-07:00I would give him the money and call a cab. I would...I would give him the money and call a cab. I would also call him later to be sure he got home and to let him know he wasn't alone in this world. These are situations that do not require a lot of thought. We all know what the "right" thing to do is, we tend to muck it up with overintellectualizing. <br />And if it's a scam, well that is on him, not me. I would rather live in a world where I reach my hand out to help than one where I keep it at my side.Mclndesmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10819930778278618034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-49722492444104972002010-07-04T10:39:14.875-07:002010-07-04T10:39:14.875-07:00I don't think a taxi is the best way to go. A...I don't think a taxi is the best way to go. An ambulance would be better suited to handle any medical issues.<br /><br />Are ambulance rides free in Canada? I know it would be much cheaper to call a taxi in America.Miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17881826389793941197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-74553217760293223462010-07-01T08:53:43.243-07:002010-07-01T08:53:43.243-07:00I truly believe in karma...what goes around comes ...I truly believe in karma...what goes around comes around. Some day the Administrator will be in a similar position themselves and will be looking for help...and there will be no one there for he/she. I not only would have found a ride...I would have taken a collection within the office, sent him with the money and made sure he had a hot meal to go! Where is the compassion for our senior citizens...the Administrator should be ashamed!!!@lyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13726330575370005976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-42486219127100471802010-07-01T05:32:59.020-07:002010-07-01T05:32:59.020-07:00What a sad situation to be in. I would take the ma...What a sad situation to be in. I would take the man home!kenjuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342414519714356343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-88056031390913928402010-07-01T00:20:16.249-07:002010-07-01T00:20:16.249-07:00Jo, sometimes you have to step out of your 'po...Jo, sometimes you have to step out of your 'position' whatever that may do and act on instinct and from the heart. The administrator would do well to have a rethink about situations of this nature.<br /><br />CheersBelizegialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16177604514140233711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-46692232179793622232010-06-30T20:52:59.683-07:002010-06-30T20:52:59.683-07:00Definitely help him get home. I prefer to know in ...Definitely help him get home. I prefer to know in my heart that I did the right thing.Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18196096131750922174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-25855406977221688182010-06-30T20:45:11.675-07:002010-06-30T20:45:11.675-07:00I tend to err on the side of doing the right thing...I tend to err on the side of doing the right thing. I have from time to time needed help in this life and it came from both expected and surprising places.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09751363280115223716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-27626676622902902662010-06-30T14:47:04.046-07:002010-06-30T14:47:04.046-07:00Your administrator should learn the meaning of the...Your administrator should learn the meaning of the word "discretionary"Marlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00356883449823164140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-69278894475420405232010-06-30T10:17:22.436-07:002010-06-30T10:17:22.436-07:00I would offer to drive him home. This is a powerfu...I would offer to drive him home. This is a powerful post, Jo! And the art you selected to accompany it drives your point home (no pun intended...it just happened.) You are extraordinary! And I love the way you make us ALL think! Love, Janine XOSniffles and Smileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10073156486641622612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-68198555414318858652010-06-30T09:44:27.613-07:002010-06-30T09:44:27.613-07:00I would most certainly ensure that the old man got...I would most certainly ensure that the old man got home safely, irrespective of the cost. Sure, he may just be a con artist, but one can't live one's life in a constant state of paranoia. And if I ever reached that state, I'd like to think someone would do the same for me.Sam Liuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014838954712295981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-33376395039326295812010-06-30T09:39:53.255-07:002010-06-30T09:39:53.255-07:00I'd be the person funding the taxi, Jo. I don...I'd be the person funding the taxi, Jo. I don't think it would ever occur to me that an eighty-year-old man was a scam artist, by the way, but then I rarely think that about people in general. <br /><br />The way I figure it, I'd rather take the chance of being scammed, than the chance that someone who needed help wasn't getting it, when I was able to give it. <br /><br />Either way, I should just be grateful for a life that has forty-extra bucks in it, to lose to either being helpful, or being scammed, you know?Land of shimphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15671954452597068904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-8460739546756825172010-06-30T09:06:12.934-07:002010-06-30T09:06:12.934-07:00I'd make sure he got home...typically I don...I'd make sure he got home...typically I don't like most people but the elderly will always have my respect and my help when needed.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09076194149640604198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-67621998896150280942010-06-30T08:28:31.716-07:002010-06-30T08:28:31.716-07:00I NEVER have cash - but I'm sure the taxi woul...I NEVER have cash - but I'm sure the taxi would take a credit card & that's what I would do if I couldn't leave the office. Or I would call Dr. M & make him come ferry the man home :)The Bughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07509037206264761261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-50409824759209102802010-06-30T08:23:18.931-07:002010-06-30T08:23:18.931-07:00People like the administrator are lessons to me on...People like the administrator are lessons to me on how NOT to act. What a cold, hard world he lives in. I can't imagine living in such a terrible place.Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032627674570787885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-29878905137418122532010-06-30T07:52:15.593-07:002010-06-30T07:52:15.593-07:00The last time I went to the emergency room in my P...The last time I went to the emergency room in my PJ out of Ambulance and they stabilized me and said I could go...I asked how do I get home? And they said...take a bus. I was in my P.J's. I know there are cruel people in the world...but cruel people in theh healthcare industry seems especially frightening to me.Cedarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084468926734824846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-80574022781739863142010-06-30T07:09:38.768-07:002010-06-30T07:09:38.768-07:00I actually had a chance to do something very simil...I actually had a chance to do something very similar back in 1981 when I took both a very old and frail man and his wife home from the very doctor's office I was at.<br /><br />Granted, I wasn't an employee, so I was at liberty to do what I thought was the right thing. The good thing was I made life-time friends from this, and 3 years later the gentleman died and his wife asked me to play for the funeral as well as continuing our friendship before she died.<br /><br />I think the combination of all those who commented has provided ample information on what should have been done; was done, and what we can do if we're ever faced with this situation.<br /><br />I currently take a very ill cancer patient back and forth to the doctor; the store - the post office, and I met him because I saw him struggling to walk along the road-way 6 years ago. He is as thin as any person can be and still be alive; he's invited me to his apartment and I cook for him about 3 times a month and visit him by phone and make sure he's tended to since he lives all alone. Again, we have no idea what wonderful chances we'll have to help what seems to be a stranger, but is (instead) destined to be a dear friend.HAPPY IN NEVADAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17214341069801731994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-6301988905827944112010-06-30T05:01:55.126-07:002010-06-30T05:01:55.126-07:00I would hope I'd be the one to help! That is ...I would hope I'd be the one to help! That is the way I was raised, and raised my kids that way too. So often we see people who know how to scam the systems, and they ruin it for the ones who really need help. I don't want to be cynical.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12580498957271396362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-48936045225766934272010-06-30T03:01:02.502-07:002010-06-30T03:01:02.502-07:00I think the way it worked out is perfect. You all ...I think the way it worked out is perfect. You all contributed, which did you all some good; it's more of an act of charity that way than if the business had paid. <br />And I'm very glad the doctors took care of the paperwork so the old man will have help in the future.Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710135137635433217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-76750506190266055872010-06-30T01:34:11.399-07:002010-06-30T01:34:11.399-07:00Hmmm. My earlier comment did not materialise. An...Hmmm. My earlier comment did not materialise. Anyway, much has been said by others already. I would call him a taxi, pay the fare and not worry about reimbursement from the discretionary fund. It really isn't such a mind blowing amount to warrant thinking further about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-62052860686586956262010-06-30T00:55:46.249-07:002010-06-30T00:55:46.249-07:00I fully agree with firefly's view on this! I t...I fully agree with firefly's view on this! I too would take the man home myself!mrsnesbitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16882736507772457598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-53863400337985063152010-06-30T00:34:18.288-07:002010-06-30T00:34:18.288-07:00The person who denied the old man the taxi fare is...The person who denied the old man the taxi fare is probably the same person who will make sure they benefit themselves from the fund. Shame on them. I will probably be the one to load the old man in my car and take him home myself.Firefly the Travel Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03278794823093520621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-3206382982623924262010-06-29T22:54:07.513-07:002010-06-29T22:54:07.513-07:00I think it's really sad that the old man was s...I think it's really sad that the old man was so alone in the world that he had no one to accompany him to his doctor's visit. I can't understand someone who is in a position to help someone in need, but refuses. Does this Administrator have the absolute last word, even when everyone opposes her? It's a sad thing indeed when a medical facility loses its humanity.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518800171649154035.post-26465371331719584622010-06-29T21:20:16.251-07:002010-06-29T21:20:16.251-07:00Katy, we made sure the cab driver took good care o...Katy, we made sure the cab driver took good care of him, because we were not able to get ahold of a family member, and we couldn't leave ourselves, and we made sure he got home okay. But we had to pay for it ourselves, sadly.<br /><br />Lea, I don't think I will ever have any respect for the administrator again. Cold and heartless...! Unbelievable.<br /><br />Kate, yes, that's what we did. The doctors involved were shocked at the administrator, and more than a little angry. But we managed to get the old gentleman home. And you're right -- what goes around comes around. Karma...<br /><br />Marguerite, yes, the doctors were both very concerned. One of them had quite a heated argument with the administrator, but the old gentleman got home safely, thanks to us.<br /><br />Whitney, I have lost any respect I may have had for the administrator. I cannot respect anyone who is that hard and cold. Unbelievable, isn't it!?<br /><br />Rosaria, yes, the doctors took care of that after the gentleman left. They did all the paperwork for him, so that will never happen again.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382221688268676914noreply@blogger.com