I could not believe my eyes earlier today. I decided to fill up my car at Sainsbury as they had the cheapest fuel around. It seemed that many other motorists had the same idea and there was chaos on the forecourt.
I was halfway through filling up when a guy came out and couldn't start his car. Health and Safety would not allow him to jump start the car so he had to move the car to a safe distance. At this stage I was in the queue waiting to pay and the guy came back in to speak with the cashier. He then turned to everyone in the queue and asked if anyone could help him start his car. There had to be 10-12 people in the queue and everyone ignored him by looking at their feet or by saying they were in a hurry! I simply can't do that so I offered to help. I chatted to the cashier and he also came out to help. The poor guy had some jump leads but he needed another car to connect them to. Because of the layout I had to drive off down the road go around the the roundabout and come back. The stricken car was a big Ford Explorer but thankfully it was on a slight slope and they reversed down out and into a nearby car park.
The cashier went back to the shop and we set about trying to start the car. It wouldn't start and the poor guy was wondering what he was going to do. Another guy parked adjacent us and he asked the driver if he could help. He replied "I'm in a hurry" and wandered off....in no real hurry at all!
It's been a few years since I had to jump start a car but I knew something had to be wrong with the connection. It turned out to be a poor -ve on my BMW. They give you a +ve terminal but the -ve was painted. I changed the connection and then squeezed the connections on the other guy's battery terminals. At last the car started and we were both happy.
Has society become so disjointed that we cannot take 15 minutes to help someone in need? I actually find it quite sad that at least 20 people totally ignored this poor guy and were prepared to leave him stranded. He was a good guy, a Frenchman who spoke perfect English. We shook hands and had a good laugh about the situation. I came away feeling really happy that I had helped him - my good deed for the day. I know that if I was in that situation I would hope someone would help me but after witnessing the reticence of the other people today I don't think I'll bank on it!
Has society broken down??
Hi Jollygeen,
Well done mate.
I have done the same a few times and been helped too.
Society has become pre-conditioned to the State being responsible for everything.
Surely there is a Govt Dept for that kind of thing.
LOL
That is all you hear nowadays.
Society has lost the ability to think for itself and more importantly to care for others.
All built on the 13 years of greed culture that we have just had.
We even expext the Govt to care for our parents when they get old. Usually so that both parents in a household can go out and work. Supported by Tax Credits and Childcare allowances.
It would be a much better place if only one adult worked. No hyped up house prices, easy credit, 2 cars and everything that goes along with it
No unemployment either.
And parents who were cared for by their extended families instead of them working to buy things they don't really need.
Just my Tuppence worth
Dobbin
Well done mate.
I have done the same a few times and been helped too.
Society has become pre-conditioned to the State being responsible for everything.
Surely there is a Govt Dept for that kind of thing.
LOL
That is all you hear nowadays.
Society has lost the ability to think for itself and more importantly to care for others.
All built on the 13 years of greed culture that we have just had.
We even expext the Govt to care for our parents when they get old. Usually so that both parents in a household can go out and work. Supported by Tax Credits and Childcare allowances.
It would be a much better place if only one adult worked. No hyped up house prices, easy credit, 2 cars and everything that goes along with it
No unemployment either.
And parents who were cared for by their extended families instead of them working to buy things they don't really need.
Just my Tuppence worth
Dobbin
In fairness, on the few occasions I've asked people for a jump start, they've obliged me (including a guy the other week who spent about 10 minutes fiddling around with the connection to my battery, even though it was raining!).
Maybe the people in the forecourt were particularly busy or stressed, or perhaps no-one wanted to stand out from the crowd by being the one person to volunteer.
Jeff
Maybe the people in the forecourt were particularly busy or stressed, or perhaps no-one wanted to stand out from the crowd by being the one person to volunteer.
Jeff
JollyGreen wrote: Has society become so disjointed that we cannot take 15 minutes to help someone in need?
Hi Dobbin
I agree.
BTW, Mrs Thatcher's "There's no such thing as society" comment has been much maligned and misunderstood.
What she was basically saying was "Don't blame this external thing called society for your woes. If you want your life to improve, go out and improve it. If you want a better community, roll up your sleeves and play your part in making it happen!"
I agree with her - as Reagan pointed out, big government is the problem, not the solution!
Jeff
I agree.
BTW, Mrs Thatcher's "There's no such thing as society" comment has been much maligned and misunderstood.
What she was basically saying was "Don't blame this external thing called society for your woes. If you want your life to improve, go out and improve it. If you want a better community, roll up your sleeves and play your part in making it happen!"
I agree with her - as Reagan pointed out, big government is the problem, not the solution!
Jeff
Dobbin wrote:
Society has become pre-conditioned to the State being responsible for everything.
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CaerMyrddin
- Posts: 1271
- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:47 am
That wouldn't happen here, that's for sure.
Once, I left my car's keys inside it and I didn't even have to ask for help. In a matter of 5 minutes I had 10 people helping me. But I have to recognize we are following the same path you guys are.
JollyGreen, take pride on your action. Whenever I can I help people with the simplest things and it's great to see how grateful and happy they can get. Cheers mate!
Once, I left my car's keys inside it and I didn't even have to ask for help. In a matter of 5 minutes I had 10 people helping me. But I have to recognize we are following the same path you guys are.
JollyGreen, take pride on your action. Whenever I can I help people with the simplest things and it's great to see how grateful and happy they can get. Cheers mate!
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oddstrader
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:55 pm
To be fair I left the lights on recently in sainsburys came back to start the car and no go, went to the security desk and they came out with jump leads , 5 minutes later and off I go, I think they were happy for the break out of the shop though!
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oddstrader
- Posts: 344
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:55 pm
no no just some amber nectar!, to add a flip to the topic a friend of mine is a keen cyclist and heads off on 50 or 60 mile spins, a month ago he was turning those cranks hard and in the space of an hour ended up with two punctures which was no problem as he came prepared with a couple of spare tubes! of course the inevitable happened and he got a third puncture, no spare tubes now and 30 miles from home, wearing cleats which are special cycling shoes with clips that insert into the pedals he began walking with his bike on his shoulder a car passes and he puts his thumb out for help/lift and to his dismay this car slowly passes by and both the driver and passenger eye ball him and drive on, disgraceful ya even more disgraceful as it was a police car.Dobbin wrote:Hi Odds Trader
Did you get your Nectar Points