How friendly or helpful are you to complete strangers who ask for directions or assistance?

Question

Would you go out of your way to help that person? Or does it depend on other factors like how the person looks like?

To the guys, would you be more inclined to help if the asker were a pretty woman?

To the gals, would you be more helpful if the asker were a good-looking man?

Do you expect some kind of a reward (monetary, normally) for assisting, say, someone with car problems?

I have gone out of my way many times to help complete strangers, but that is just me. Some people are pretty mean, though, and I wonder how you out there are like.

Thank you, have a nice day.

Answer 1

Hi Lynn. :) I believe that I'm very friendly with people who are in need of directions or assitance. I'm not the best person to ask though, as far as directions are concerned, lol. I'm better than I used to be, but as a rule, I've never been very good at giving good directions. I would do my best though, and like Mac, have had people stop and ask for directions, many times when I'm out walking.

I would say that someone's looks really wouldn't play into my helping them, most of the time. The only exception would have to be if I felt totally uncomfortable or suspicious of said person. I only say this, because I had it happen to me one time. Someone pulled up to me as I was out for a walk, and were acting very strange and asking me very peculiar questions. They just gave off a very odd vibe. I was polite, but didn't feel comfortable spending much time talking with them. They actually drove around me for several blocks, and after noticing this, I pretty much ran the rest of the way home. Everything worked out fine though, so I'm very happy for that. :)

No, I would absolutely never expect to be rewarded in any way for helping someone.

Very nice question! :)

Answer 2

i don't ideas asking a stranger for instructions and function in no way been given a bum steer. they have all been very large and efficient. besides the place is the cop once you like him/her?

Answer 3

Actually, I'm extraordinarily friendly and helpful to complete strangers in need of directions or assistance and have demonstrated this many times throughout my life. For whatever reason, I tend to get asked for such help quite a lot, often having cars pull up alongside me for that purpose when I'm out walking and such. (It must be my pleasant disposition, lol.)

I always do my level best to help out the person(s) making the inquiry, irrespective of their physical appearance, gender, social class, etc. I am no more inclined to help the pretty woman than the unattractive one. The same applies to the male animal. I honestly couldn't care less.

I never expect any monetary reward and would (politely) refuse to accept one if proffered. I've shoveled people's driveways and sidewalks (this is a snow reference, my tropical friend) and declined all offers of compensation, save the occasional baked cookie from an elderly neighbour. I would certainly not take money under any circumstance.

Nice series of questions, Lynn. And as for your own innate willingness to help out a stranger in need, I reckon I already knew that about you, instinctively. Good on ya, mate! :)

Answer 4

I always stop and help people. I have a p-o-s truck that is always breaking down, and I know how relieved I am when someone stops to help me. If someone wanted directions, and I know what they're talking about, then I am more than willing to help, even if I have to draw a map or take more time than I need to, just to make sure they understand exactly what I am saying. I've been lost quite a few times myself, and when I stop to ask for directions, I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to explain the way for me. It shouldn't and doesn't matter what they look like, where they are from, how they speak, or what they wear. I never expect anything in return, that's what Karma is all about. The way I see it, if I help someone with their car troubles, or give a hitchhiker a ride, complete stranger or not, I feel that it will come back to me when I need it most. Cheers and thanks for the great question!

Answer 5

I'm very friendly, Lynn.

I always go out of my way to help anyone who needs me, stranger or not, and how the person looks like has zero influence in my decision!

I help whoever asks me for help the best I can and, always, before the person has to ask, whenever I spot a need that I feel I can do something about.

No, I do not expect any kind of reward.


Thank you and have a wonderful weekend, my friend! :)

Answer 6

I am very friendly and I try to be as helpful as possible. Sometimes I do go out of my way, especially if they are in serious trouble or asking about something. I try to help them as much as they might require, so that may not be much. When I give directions I just try to give them the best possible route. I am not partial to looks. Anyone who needs help, I try to do my best. I do not do it for money. One time my wife and I found a dog that had a telephone number on his collar. We called and reunited him to his owner. The man tried to give me money and I told him no, but he he insisted so I gave in. It still did not feel right, but I did not want to create a big scene. I was just happy he got his dog back. I have helped an older woman who apparently lost control of her truck and hit a bush in her driveway, so thankfully the truck was stopped. She had problems trying to get up. She had just gotten out of the truck, but it rolled and she was holding on to the door. She had problems getting up and my wife and I helped her get up. We never her our names and just left feeling good. It was just something that had to be done. 2 strangers that helped someone. There are just too many stories I could talk about. I guess I do help people, either with my wife or by myself.

Answer 7

I usually go out of my way to be nice. I've had tourists follow me through a town so they can find their destination. I once gave a family a ride to a payphone (none of us had a cell on us) so they could call for help. Unless something rubs me wrong, I will help.


And one hitch hiker I didn't pick up ended up killing the person who did. Always follow your gut feelings

Answer 8

I'm the same with strangers. So long as I know where it is they want to go, i will help them get there. I think being friendly with strangers in need answers a basic need, ties me in with the rest of the world.

Answer 9

I usually help anyone who asks for directions...because I treat people the way I would want to be treated. I don't care if they are goodlooking or anything like that. If it's a situation that looks like it may be harmful towards me I wouldn't stay too long though.

Answer 10

I would not go out of my way (hunting down someone that looked like they were lost), but I would render as best assistance that I could in the matter.