Whenever I see a disabled person trying to open the door for themselves and struggling a little, I'm always in a quandary about whether I should offer my help or let them do it themselves. I realize that having a handicap doesn't mean it is completely dibilitating, and most people are completely independent. But then I don't want to feel like a jerk by just walking by and not offering help. So which is it? Are you supposed to offer your help or are you supposed to assume that if they needed help they'd ask?
2007-11-01 15:16:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Of course my first instinct is to always offer my help (to any one).
2007-11-01 15:27:39 · update #1
It is being a caring person.
Absolutely do it. My daughter is disabled and it makes my heart feel with joy knowing that there are people out there that care.
2007-11-01 15:20:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
People with handicaps are different, just like we all are. Some women hate it if you open the door for them, some get ofended if you don't.
I think it's only polite to help. You're supposed to do what feels right at the moment. I don't think there is a hard rule about it. If it looks like they don't mind your help then help. Having to ask for help all the time might be dibilitating too.
2007-11-01 15:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been temporarily handicapped and believe me, people will seldom ask for help. They can be as independent as you wish, and this desire of feeling useful/productive will make them refrain from asking for help openly, but of course help is always appreciated even if we don't ask for it. I think very few people would feel bad for getting some help or even refuse it. On the opposite, back then I used to think how rude some people were when they saw I really needed a hand and no one offered to give me one.... and of course I wasn't going to ask for it.... but I was really thankful when someone did offer it and now I try to be considerate towards handicapped ppl as well. Better to seem naive than to act like a jerk, as you said....
2007-11-01 15:25:33 · answer #3 · answered by Lprod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Courtesy is never impolite. It's good to hold a door for someone handicapped or not , or say thank you if someone holds a door for you. If someone is militantly independent and refuses your gesture, just say ok, smile and move on. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with your own behavior
2007-11-01 20:37:17 · answer #4 · answered by Three this week 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use a walker and rarely will someone open a door for me,I think they get a kick out of me struggling with my walker and the door.When I was able bodied I always helped those in need,how time changes.
2007-11-01 15:30:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can offer help without being condescending. A simple, "Could I help you with that?' should do. Think about it this way: if you saw a person not in a wheelchair struggling with a door, what would you do?
2007-11-01 18:24:52 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's polite to help. Don't rush in if they are just going through their life and handling something fine by themselves. But if they are at a door or something and struggling with it, absolutely help.
2007-11-01 15:25:15 · answer #7 · answered by Iris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Help that person. If you help once, and the person tells you that he wants to do it for himself, then don't help the next time.
2007-11-01 15:23:30 · answer #8 · answered by kiwi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Well, how'd y'all like it if y'all couldn't get anywhere!?---HERE's your sign."
Actually, it is indeed proper and expected---or should I say mandatory?---to assist the less-than-fully-functional. Your instincts serve you well.
2007-11-01 17:32:13 · answer #9 · answered by B. C. Schmerker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say, "Can i give you a hand?" They'll let you know. :)
2007-11-01 15:23:06 · answer #10 · answered by LadyLynn 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋