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The world would be a better place if there were more Good Samaritans out there. But, hey, there are some, and so it’s not a complete hell hole devoid of random decency and kindness. Though, no doubt, we all wish there were more regardless. A person can dream…

And until dreams become reality, we invite you to check out stories of good samaritanship that already happened and keep on giving, as shared by lovely folks on Reddit after one woman shared her story of how a random guy saved her from being abducted. And it doesn’t have to stop there; why not share some of your stories in the comment section below!

More Info: Reddit

#1

22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes Met a guy on the train to East Germany. We ended up partying the night away, becoming good friends, and I spent Christmas with him, his family, and his ridiculously hot GF. That was the last good meal I had before we deployed to the Gulf. I remember being blown away by how gracious and kind his parents were toward me. Plus, he bought me a "New Kids on the Block" Christmas album. It was such a catastrophically poor gift but the thought was there. So now I always invite friends over for holidays, try to go overboard on gifts to friends. Thanks Thorsten. EDIT: Well this took an unexpected turn. Thanks to MarkG1 who suggested I try Facebook, I'm now just about reunited with my old friend. I tried different spellings of his last name (I was way the f**k off) and there he was. Unbelievable. Every time I get mad at Reddit for some stupid thing, something like this happens. Jesus... EDIT 2: Damn, he's still a cook! EDIT 3: I wish my German skills hadn't disintegrated... EDIT 4: He just responded. Yep, he's been looking for me too. He said he and his parents still talk about that Christmas. This is awesome.

Warlizard , Nicole Michalou Report

David
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes a passing kindness to a stranger is remembered more than you might think. Especially for military away from family or maybe something similar like a student abroad. As I read this -two come to mind from nearly 40 years ago in the 80s. 1. My ship in Anchorage Alaska over July 4th weekend. Married couple took me in for the weekend and he took me night salmon fishing - still light at 2 AM, caught a 45 pounder, smoked it and took it back to my ship to share. 2. Perth, Australia, large family took me in on their farm for three days, horseback riding, kangaroos, sightseeing. I still think about good memories those folks gave me.

Julia Mckinney
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's hear it for the Interwebs!!!

Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is she now his ridiculously hot wife? More info needed!!!

Aly
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oml this is so sweet

Grace Note
Community Member
Premium
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would warm the cockles of the coldest heart!

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    #2

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes Ok, here goes. My SO at the time has a decent walk from the subway every night. On her way home she notices these 2 sketchy dudes following her. She hopes that she is just paranoid, but nonetheless continues to walk at a faster pace and she barely has time to look back a second time that one of the guys has grabbed her purse strap and the other has her grocery bags. She starts yelling at the top of her lungs... From across the street, second floor she hears " hey you f*****s, what the f**k you doing, imma f**k you guys up!!!" Out runs this shoe-less, shirtless, long-haired metal head with an electric guitar that he is swinging like Conan the barbarian... (Two-handed-overhead-helicopter-swings, would be the best decription). And he is screaming like Braveheart or something similar... The two "thugs" must have seen the "crazed" look in this guys eyes but they bolted real fast! Upon my GF's return home, she explains what had happened. I had to go and thank this guy in person and shake his hand for beeing bad-a*s and avoiding what I assume could've been a tragedy. We actually became friends and went to see a couple live gigs together. (Lamb Of God and Parkway Drive). I have since done many good deeds with this "chivalrous" story in mind and I look forward to my chance to threaten to beat someone with a Guitar :)

    anon , Ruslan Alekso Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That made me laugh, I could picture it clearly, I hope the dumb and dumber would be thieves never forget it.

    over it already
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good guy's throwing Eddie from Stranger Things vibes.

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We lived in San Diego & I liked to keep the front door open to get a nice cross breeze. We lived in a gated condo community, so I wasn't overly concerned about safety. I was vacuuming the living room one time and this strange guy just randomly walked in. I was like Can I HELP you? And he just kept walking towards me. Now, I'm a big gal (5'7 and about 180 pounds) with an "I will f*ck you up" mentality, so I grabbed the vacuum by the handle and started swinging it like a baseball bat and screaming at the top of my lungs "GET THE F*CK OUT OF MY HOUSE". He ran. My husband refers to this incident as "Death by Vacuum".

    FlipperDoodle
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I looked up the band. They all look like cool/kind guys. Your GF was lucky and that dude was awesome.

    Susan Bosse
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome story and great bands!!!

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    #3

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes When I was younger I had abusive parents, like really abusive parents, one night in the middle of a snowstorm they threw me outside in the snow with no shoes or socks and in a tshirt. It was freezing cold. I was wandering around the neighborhood behind the houses because I was too embarassed.   Suddenly, a neighbor of mine, (17ish) was sitting on his window smoking and looking at the snow. He saw me, asked what the hell I was doing, I just gave him this look and he leaned out his window, grabbed me by the arms and hauled me up into his window. He gave me some blankets and let me sit there in the warmth for awhile and we just small talked and he put on a movie. A little while later my mother came by, saw him and asked if he had seen me. He instantly, without hesitating told her no, and watched until she left before helping me back home.   At the time, it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me, the only person who had ever protected me from my abusive parents. Since then I've always been doing my best to help my friends and acquaintances from their abusive families or relationships.   TL;DR It can feel so alone being in an abusive situation, and the feeling of having someone protect you never goes away. Pay that s**t forward.

    beliefinphilosophy , Stanley Morales Report

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is SO SAD. I can't help thinking what kind of hellish tragedy would have happened if the wrong person scooped this little girl up. I bet the fear of God went straight through the mother when she couldn't find her daughter... "child endangerment" "manslaughter" "first degree murder" was probably ringing through her head. What horrible people I'm so sorry. My husband grew up with similar parents. His dad shot him in the arm with a 22. Some people should not be allowed to raise children and the worst ones always seem to fall through the cracks of CPS

    Susie Elle
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What the actual f**k. I firmly believe people should be made to do an exam and undergo testing before being allowed to reproduce.

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    louie foster
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

    Tomato Froggo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My house always stays open for kids needing a place to go (cause unfortunately that’s the area we live in) and is always no questions asked. This is, of course, unless they’re really hurt. We’ve had a couple kids come by, and now I’m friends with them cause they go to my school!

    Aroace tiger (she/they/he)
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All I can do unfortunately is be an open ear for my friends if they need it but hey I try

    Kiss Army
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son's girlfriend's mom was always threatening to kick her out for one absurd reason or another... One day after being berated and yelled at for only telling her mother she looked fine when she was getting ready for a date (she wanted to be told she was pretty) and then getting further yelled at for using too many paper towels to clean up a spill her mother made, her mother threatened to kick her out again. She was at the end of her rope and left to cool down. She called my son who was at work 45 minutes away and he told her to come to me and I would know what to do since I was at work only 5 minutes away. I told her that since she was over 18 she did not have to go back and be abused like that anymore and that she could live with us. My son and husband rented at truck and went with her that weekend to move her stuff to our house. She has been with us for almost 2 years, is going to college and gets happier and more confident everyday.

    JelliTate
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh sweet baby I am so sorry you had to go through that hell. I wish only happiness for you and to the sweet 17 year old… did you keep in touch?…

    shan
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you’re in Utah and need help check out Common Thread Utah. Every person that runs that organization will help or be able to connect you to help. This post broke my heart

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can relate to the feeling of having someone protect you never going away. My son's father was extremely abusive and one night I finally got up the courage to call the cops. A family friend (my brother's still best friend) came over and slept on my couch for a few days, with a loaded shotgun underneath, in case my ex got out of jail before I could move. That was 42 years ago and I still hold a very special place in my heart for Steven Wade Ward.

    brittany
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    all kids deserve good parents. not all parents deserve kids

    kim davies
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This broke my heart. I’m so glad someone was there for her, it could have ended so tragically. I hope the mother got a huge wake up call when she realized she didn’t know where her child was.

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    #4

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes My first weekend of college, my friends and I ended up at a party in an apartment. I made a dumb move and took a drink from a guy i'd just met - a few minutes later I was sitting on the stairs starting to fall asleep. A nice Jewish boy (wearing a yarmelke) saw that something was wrong with me, gave his number to my roommate and walked me home. he said that he recognized what was happening to me as a sign of a possible date drugging, and he didn't want me to be a victim because it had happened to his sister.

    pamplemoussent , cottonbro studio Report

    Tobias Reaper
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    right so your friends saw you were incapacitated and let some random dude walk you home

    Seonag Udell
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was my 21st birthday and an absolute s**t show. All my "friends" left me so I started chatting to a guy. I got so wasted that I didn't know where I lived. Anything could have happened to me that night. The guy say me outside and went through my phone and rang the number marked home. My parents came to pick me up and got home safe. My parents were obviously pissed at me and they told me how lucky I was, I never saw that guy again but thank you.

    Sunshine Lady
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only time I got drunk (I was 15 at the time) , wanted to be cool, I didn't remember anything after the second small drink of vodka. When I woke up in the morning, I was alone in my room (my parents weren't at home this weekend), my phone rang and some guy asked if I was ok. He said I looked too drunk so he escorted me home and put me to sleep.

    Julia Mckinney
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Decades ago, I was at an end of summer stock theater cast party for my college theater program. I'd already decided I wasn't going to drink much and a couple hours in, that turned out to be a good idea. Near me, there was a girl sitting on the sofa and without warning, she threw up all over herself and then just kind of sat there. No one else was reacting so I got a large towel to help me keep it all on her (nothing got on the carpet for some reason), got her into the bathroom then into the shower and got her washed off, cleaned her dress as well as I could and found her (thankfully sober) roommates to take her home. I never heard anything from her. I just heard that she woke up and had no idea what'd happened the night before aside from what her roommate told her.

    SarahBee
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice Jewish boy = a mensch!

    S Mi
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If this ever happens to your friend, please follow them and the nice boy home. There is safety in numbers

    Mary Lou
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll forever be grateful to the two Spanish women who saved me, when I got black out drunk and lost my mates during carneval in Cadiz (me being an exchange student living in Granada and only in Cadiz for the weekend) I woke up back in my mates' place. Later that day (me probably still not sober) two women I didn't recognize approached me in the streets, asking me how I was and being kind of disappointed by me just not understanding anything of what they said.Only when they we're gone, I realized not really knowing how I had gotten back that night and I understood that they must have picked me up and brought me save back (I must have had the address on me, as I didn't even know the way). So If you read this: it's been 20years and I am forever grateful for saving me that day!!!!

    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone owes Jews a GIGANTIC thanks for being such genius inventors, scientists, actors, composers and every other science and art form you can imagine! (PS I'm a shiksa)

    Bec
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you suspect someone has been drugged or if they are losing consciousness for an unknown reason, please head to the ER. People are dropping dead left and right from fentanyl and god knows what else is out there.

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    #5

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes One grocery week when I was in college I had my card declined. This was a bit of a problem as the kitchen was entirely out of food and I wasn't going to be payed for another week. It was a really awkward being at the front of the line with $100 worth of groceries having a hasty conversation with my girlfriend about how we were going to deal with this. Well the guy behind us in line offered to pay for our groceries. I tried to talk him down but he insisted and I was feeling really awkward holding up the line. I thanked him profusely and he told me word for word "Just pay it forward if you ever get the chance." Ever since I've been jamming a dollar or two into every donation box I see, tipping an extra 5%, giving my change to the homeless and otherwise looking for opportunities to 'Pay it Forward'

    synthesizerToady , Pixabay Report

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like they took his words to heart!

    Julia Mckinney
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyther way to pay it forward is, when ordering food for delivery, put a nominal amount on the credit card for the tip and then pay the actual tip in cash. That way the delivery person only needs to declare the tip on the card.

    Mooooomooooo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate to be that person (or do I?!) but I really wish people would stop using the word "payed". It's PAID. Payed is the past tense of coating a ship or boat with pitch, or to pay out rope. Ok, rant over

    Dimp1961
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe autotext. Some people use phones, not full keyboards. Just relax, we all know what was meant.

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    Amelia Jade
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was in my early 20s, I was behind a young airman at the base convenient store. It was near the military dorms and it was clear this guy was buying his groceries. All convenient, microwave meals. His card was declined. For a second, I considered paying. But then I heard my mom's voice in my head. He probably spent all his money on beer. He was clearly irresponsible if his card was declined. I got my stuff and left. As I was driving, I saw him walking to the dorms empty handed and felt so ashamed. All I could think was he had no dinner. That was over 20 years ago and I still regret it. I've never made that mistake again. I help when I can, whatever the person's circumstances are--it doesn't matter. I saw someone on reddit once talk about doing good recklessly and that's how I try to be.

    Fun Fan
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once I paid partly for one guy's grocery.. It was just some basics, flour and passata, what he couldn't afford at the moment. He was paying cash, and he was searching for his last forint s-hungarian geld-. He was obviously short, and the cashier put away. sone of his items. I was the next in the row. I was just in for some snacks, but I saw that really shíty situation.

    Lynn Morello
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was getting lunch last easter, at our cafeteria, the woman in front of me had her card declined and was having trouble getting onto her bank on her mobile phone,. I paid for he meals and wished her a Happy Easter, and Pay it forward.

    MagicMidnight
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such a lovely thing to do but don't people check how much money they have and what they're spending before they go shopping

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP didn't say how long ago this was. Also, if you're on a shoestring budget, you may or may not have minutes on your phone.

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    #6

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes Hmm, it was a dark, cold and damp thursday night when I was taking a walk in my suburban neighborhood when I was 13 year's old. I often go for walks, especially during night because it feels refreshing and I like not being able to be seen by people when I walk. Anyways, a dark truck pulls up to me and the man roles down the window, inside is a middle aged man who made eye contact with me before saying anything. He proceeded to ask me "how are the kids?" Not knowing what to do, I thought it must have been someone who lived near me and recognized me, so I tried to be friendly and responded "haha I'm only 13." He then said "for a dirty mex, i thought you'd have 5 by now." I was shocked, partly because of this crude remark by some middle aged white guy in a truck and partly because I'm chinese, not mexican. I guess during the night he couldn't see me clear enough. Anyways, I felt the situation was getting pretty sketchy so I started to walk forward. I wanted to cross a street when I noticed that this man was going to follow me. As I tried to cross the street, he sped up and pulled over to block my way. This was when I realized he was up to no good. His headlights were blaring perpendicular to where I was while I was in the complete dark. Out of nowhere, two neighborhood dog's come running towards me. They were two huge half huskies. I recognized them as my neighbor's dogs that he would often let run around his yard and around the neighborhood without a leash. I had always thought that to be dangerous for the dog's incase of cars, but they never got hit or into any harm. They came dashing towards me barking so loudly not a ear in the entire street could have ignored them. That's when the driver pressed his gas pedal full force and tried to get out of there. He thought that the dog's meant that there must have been an owner with them coming to check up on me. However, little did he know that it was just the two neighborhood dog's coming towards me themselves without my neighbor. They had perhaps saved me from being kidnapped or injured by this strange man in his truck. To this day, (I'm 16 now) I am super grateful for both of those dog's being there. I try to return the favor by playing with them when our neighbor is busy and keeping them company with treats and dog toys.

    AnonymousJimmy , Dids Report

    IDGAFabtUrFeelings
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my favourite. They just knew they had to protect her because of how threatening the man was... The domestication of dogs is truly one of the best things that we humans have ever done for ourselves.

    Sonja
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She was from the neighborhood, zhe dogs knew her, she was part of the extended pack and huskies have a strong pack mentality and are very protective of people they like. They also consider anything alive they don't deem enemies to be part of their pack. I saw a video of a husky protecting the family duck as a pack member. They can be vicious if they deem another pet to be prey, but if they decided you're pack, they're very loyal.

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    Tsdey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Dangerous/risky owner lets dogs roam free and the dogs save some ones life' is basically what this is and I like it lol

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For future reference: anytime someone in a vehicle slows down easy something to you, the appropriate response is ALWAYS a middle finger. Always. Edit: and yes, that led to some interesting moments with my ex. He thought it was hilarious, though, that I would just hear a male voice and flip the bird without even looking. XD

    Harjot Kaur
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But how is that going to deescalate the already risky situation the woman is in?

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    Dale Williams
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dogs are the best, no matter who you are, they look out for people who are decent and will protect them.

    Deborah Rubin
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This child was a friend. Dogs protect their friends.

    No
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm glad this worked out for you, but seriously people need to keep their dogs contained. I have dealt with literally dozens of aggressive dog attacks while walking my dog. Just because your dog is friendly with people doesn't mean your dog will be friendly with other dogs. Just because your dog is friendly with other dogs doesn't mean your dog will stay friendly if the other dog becomes aggressive. Just because your dog is small and couldn't hurt a fly doesn't mean it couldn't be very seriously injured or killed even by a leashed dog. And if your unleashed free roaming dog bites or attacks someone else and its reported it could very easily be removed from the home or worse put down. So if you care about your dogs please keep them contained. Sorry for the rant.

    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apologizing in advance for trivial complaint, but the apostrophe is NOT supposed to mean "here comes an S ! "

    SheDeM
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope you told your parents and they called the police. That predator didn't get you, but that wouldn't stop him from going after someone else. What is WRONG with so many men? Does this happen in other countries or is it another f'd up American thing?

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    #7

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I was 15 and I owned a moped. It was late and raining and this car did not see me as it turned left across my lane. I was t-boned going about 30mph. The car hit me right in my left thigh and my upper body hit and rebounded off of the hood, I flew maybe 20 feet before hitting the pavement. My left thigh snapped in two when the car hit me. I'm laying on the ground screaming for help when this guy comes up and kneels down with a knee on either side of my head so I can't move it around. He does his best to keep me calm and keep the rain off of me until the EMS guys show up and put me in traction and take me to the hospital. During that time the guy is asking me my name and address, making sure I'm coherent. After they took me away he drove to my parents house and informed them that I was in an accident and mostly okay and that they should go to the hospital to see me. He wanted to make sure they got there as soon as possible and thought it would be less jarring than the police showing up at their door. I never got a chance to thank him either but I think about him and his kindness from time to time. I hope one day I can do something similar for someone in distress. **tl;dr: Hit by a car, random man sits with me and then tells my parents what happened.**

    Sykotik , Lena Shekhovtsova Report

    Tsdey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    first one that made some tears

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right down to the knee on either side of the head in case of a fracture... WOW.

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    Kitty White
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminded me… many years ago, I was headed to the mall with my young sons. Like always, the exit- and on-ramps approaching the mall are tricky and dangerous. In front and to the right, a woman with *her* two young children got rear-ended by someone trying to merge, and that pushed her into the car in front of her. Fortunately, this all happened at low speeds, her kids were safely buckled into their car seats, and she was wearing her seat belt. So, her car was pretty messed up in front and in back, but no one was hurt. I pulled over right away and sat with her and her kids until police and rescue arrived, and gave the police my statement. While we were waiting, she said she was on her way to the mall to meet her sister and nephews; they were getting a family picture done to give as a gift to her parents. This was in the days before cell phones, so I told her that I’d be happy to go to the portrait studio, find her sister, and let her know what had happened. And that’s what I did.

    SheDeM
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are good people in the world. My beautiful teenage daughter was struck by a big pickup truck while she was driving her mustang. She opened get door and fell out into the busy road, obviously hurt. Not. One. Person stopped to help her.

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We saw a guy on a bicycle get hit by a car (which sped off, but we did get the license number). The EMS guys got there really quickly and he had to be taken to the hospital. He was probably about 20 and still lived at home, so we got his Mom's phone number and called her. I realize every parent's worst nightmare is THAT call, so I started with "First of all, Greg is going to be just fine". She was very calm and thanked me for letting her know. We saw Greg a few weeks later down at Alki (Seattle) with a cast on his arm and he told us that the guy who hit him had been caught & arrested, not just for hit & run - he had a few felony warrants out for him. Win-win.

    Amanda Hunter
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're driving anything two-wheeled, it's just a matter of time before you're hit.

    #8

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes A good samaritan pulled my unconscious body out of my flaming car wreck, waited for the ambulance to arrive, then disappeared. I will never know who saved my life, but rarely a day goes by that I don't think about them.

    anon , Pixabay Report

    R Dennis
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had something similar... the guy lost control, slammed into the barrier at full speed and slid a couple hundred feet down the freeway. I jumped out and had to use my feet as leverage to yank the car door open because the frame was all crushed. The car wasn't on fire and he was semi conscious, so I just kept telling him not to move because he was flailing and trying to take off his seatbelt. When he calmed down, I kept flagging people down to call 911 - early days of cell phones. It was cold, so I just put my coat on him and kept talking with him to keep him awake and calm until the ambulance came. I got my coat back as they loaded him into the ambulance. I drove to work and my legs gave out and I couldn't stop shaking... major delayed reaction. Hope he was okay.

    Deborah Rubin
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't have to be pulled out of my car, but I was in and out of concousiness, at one point there was a guy by my window, motioning me to roll it down. He stayed by me, keeping me awake, until we heard the sirens. He said i'd be OK then. It was pouring rain. He walked off and vanished. I never knew who he was. I passed out again and woke up in the ambulance. That was an accident I shouldn't have servived, let alone be able to walk out of the ER under my own power. I try to help others when I can. Mostly little stuff, but they seem to appreciate it.

    Justin Thyme
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every firefighter and EMS worker, every day

    No
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heros don't always wear capes, but this guy might of been. We have no way of knowing and so I choose to imagine with one.

    𝕎𝕣𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕣𝕕𝕚𝕖
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was my dad what- he told me that he busted into a car on fire and pulled someone out of it. My brothers and sister was there too. I swear that was my dad bro

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    #9

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I didn't have the best childhood. My adoptive father has some unconventional parenting methods, and so I used to cry a lot. On one such occasion I was sitting on a park bench, crying softly to myself. I was trying to be discreet but I couldn't have been more than 11 or 12 at the time. An old lady sat at the other end of the bench and we sat in relative silence for a few minutes (I would sniffle occasionally but I was trying to be quiet). She clearly noticed me wiping my eyes and asked me if I was ok. I told her I was, but she insisted on taking me to a nearby coffee cart and buying me a cup of hot chocolate (it was winter). It was the nicest thing she could have done for me and it was really nice to know that someone cared.

    BeyondAddiction , Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto Report

    Shark queen 🦈🦈🦈
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those of you pandas who feel like the worlds agiant you your fellow pandas will always be there to try and put a smile on your face.

    Tomato Froggo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had someone like this for me…but the best thing I can do, instead of complaining about it, is try to be that person for someone else :)

    Charity Angel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once had a massive fight with my mother. On my way home, the bus driver noticed I was upset, but said nothing. But... I left my phone on the bus. It was handed in, and when my housemate ranf it, he agreed that he'd drop it at our local stop. She went out, mostly because I was still hugging a cat, but he insisted on seeing me and making sure I was okay. It meant a lot.

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    #10

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes When I was in college, I was out with some friends at a bar and having too much of a good time. I drank a little bit too much tequila when this creeper guy starts buying the group drinks. We were all a little too f****d up to think of saying no, plus you can woo any broke college kids with free booze. He joined our booth and he put his arm around me at some point. Later on I got up to use the bathroom, and obviously did not notice him following me. As I walked into the restroom, a girl was walking out and presumably saw the guy following me in there as she came in about a minute after with the bouncer, catching the creeper trying to break down the stall door. Creeper got thrown out, and random woman saved the day.   Now, I always make it a point to look out for overly drunk girls at the bar. I've pulled quite a few girls aside to ask them if they were all right, if they were at the bar alone or with friends, and if they knew the guys they were talking to, and put them in cabs if they were not feeling well/creeped out. It may cost me money, but I'd hate to be in their situation without help. My fiance calls me the bardian angel.

    anon , cottonbro studio Report

    Shark queen 🦈🦈🦈
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey it's the girl code always be willing to help protect from the creeps. And having extra pads for when a girl needs one. I like to have extras and give girls a heads up that if they need them I have them.

    Pink Princess
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It shouldn't be "girl code", it should just be human code. We should all help each other get out of bad situations regardless of gender

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    Ovar
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope it will be normal to call the cops on guys like this. It's shocking that we save the victim and let the perpertrator to continue being a danger to women and girls

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't frequent bars much but I used to volunteer with a group that put on dances. Loosely think 'raves without the drugs' except some folks did get high, show up drunk etc. We always had a few people assigned to just wander around and watch for anyone who might be in distress or acting inappropriately. Mutual stuff was fine. The 'cuddle puddle' area was always popular. So not "inappropriate" in a prude sense. More like described above - someone trying to prey on others or someone in medial need.

    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Idea: Send all the creepy men to the front lines in Ukraine.

    SheDeM
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, I have to ask, why are there SO MANY genuinely BAD men? What is wrong with human males? That virtually all women have to be constantly on guard against drugging, assault, abuse, r@%e, abduction, and actually being killed is just insane. I know there are decent men, but think about it: Every woman knows she is rarely safe. Wtf y'all?

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw some older guys harassing a young lady, probably about 13, so I walked over and said sternly, "Crystal! Where the hell have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" She immediately said, "I'm sorry, Mama". The guys took off immediately. She started shaking and crying & told me some of the vile things they said they were going to do to her. I didn't want to traumatize her further by asking her to get in my car (and I didn't have my cell phone with me) so we went to a cafe and the owner called her Mom. I sat & waited with her (her name was actually Maria) until her Mom got there. She actually tried to give me money, but I let her know I had a little girl of my own and sincerely hoped someone would look out for her if she ever found herself in that situation. Poor kid.

    Grace Note
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A friend and I got kicked out of the Student Union bar once for getting a really drunk girl away from a group of guys who were beyond creepy and definitely going to do something really bad. Apparently, we were threatening a bunch of big blokes, Right. The "bouncers" were friends of the guys and ended up getting sacked and our ban was lifted. It was all pretty horrible but that girl wasn't messed up by a bunch of guys and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

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    #11

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes This is going to sound real stupid now but when Ireland just had the plastic bag tax I went into Dublin for Christmas shopping (brought a flimsy plastic bag that I still had lying at home). I ended up buying a bit too much stuff and while waiting for the bus the bag just ripped and left me scrambling for everything. This middle-aged lady helped me gather my stuff, dived in to her handbag and gave me one of those sturdy reusable bags. A small gesture that made my christmas.

    anon , Anna Shvets Report

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many times it is less about the value of the item and more about the fact someone cared.

    Petra Schaap
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this once. Girls in front of me with paper bag, it was raining and the bag teared and everything fell out. I had one of those foldable bags made of fabric that a lot of shops sell for an euro, in my purse. They were really freaking out and i gave them my bag... they took my bag, just stared awkwardly, never said a word. I mean i dont need a statue or something but a smile or a thank you would have been nice.

    ChickyChicky
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They will one day tell this story to someone and say something like "they didn't know that I just found out my grandma died and I was too grief-stricken to remember to say thank you, but they lifted my burden a little and I'll never forget it."

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    Fun Fan
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That happened to mee too, even with a paper-bag. I was very grateful to people helping me gather my stuff. And also, I was helping in a very same situation with a stranger.That's just normal.

    DarkViolet
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was working, I got into the habit of carrying reusable grocery bags in my backpack. Every other day someone needed one: a parent with a load of groceries and kids, a fellow commuter dealing with a ripped bag. It was the least that I could do.

    #12

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I was an exchange student in Japan. My friends and I were visiting Kobe for the weekend. Of the three of us, I spoke the most Japanese, but even that was intermediate-level at the very best. Predictably, we got lost. It was late and cold and we had nowhere to stay (hadn't booked a room or anything). We were passing a karaoke place. It's pretty common for someone to be standing outside of these places yelling about deals and shoving flyers at you. We were so desperate at this point that I asked the guy for help finding a place to stay. He tried to describe a place but even though I could understand most of what he said, we didn't have a map, smartphones or know any street names, so his directions were useless. The guy paused, looked around and then started running, waving for us to follow. He personally led three foreigners who had no intention of spending money at his karaoke place through the streets at night, apparently at great risk to himself because he seemed absoutely panicked about getting back to his job quickly - even though he took us right to the door of a place where we could stay. We collected every yen we had and shoved it at the guy, but he threw up his hands, seemed aghast and wouldn't accept a dime (figuratively speaking). I encountered some racist s**t in Japan, but this guy made up for all of it. **tl;dr: Guy put his job on the line to help a bunch of foreigners gibbering at him in awful, broken Japanese.**

    anon , Lidia Miralles Report

    El Cucuy
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Welcome to Japan! I can never say enough great things about this country. I once left my phone in a sushi restaurant in Osaka. An employee followed me for almost three blocks (at night with a ton of people everywhere) before finally catching up to return it to me. Japan is the best!

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 1994, I was 14 years old, on a 2-week exchange program from SoCal to Tokyo. Mom was INSISTENT that I call to let her know I landed safely. My friend was under similar orders. We got to the hotel at, like, 11 at night, and the two of us immediately went to a pay phone. We know how to call collect ("welandedloveyoubye" can be a name), but we couldn't figure out how to use the thing. Suddenly, an arm in a suit jacket comes from behind us and sticks a card in the phone. We turned around, and a young man just bowed, and said something like, "dozo, call family now." Dude, if you're reading this, I know it's been almost 30 years, but there's two gaijin who still remember you as a hero. And our parents remain grateful for your help, too!

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    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Going there for a month on 27 Sep. First time, VERY excited!

    #13

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I've told bits of this before in other places but here it is. When I was 17 I was in a really bad car accident. The kind that when your parents arrive they have a slight panic attack. I had a car try to cross a highway right in front of me so impact was at about 65-70 mph. Both cars were totaled and had bits scattered all over the highway. My car went spinning through the median and stopped just shy of moving traffic on the other side. A truck driver saw the whole thing happen and stopped. He came to me first and within moments someone had stopped for the other driver so he stayed with me. He helped me call my mom and step-dad on his cell phone and then helped me away from the wreck to sit. He talked to my mom for me to get her to where I was when I started hyperventilating. He called the police and talked to me in between. When the police arrived he talked to them until my parents showed up. Once my parents took over he slipped off and went back to driving his route. I know he was late on his delivery because he called them to say he was going to be and why. I vaguely remember thanking him and I know my parents did too. I had called my step-dad's cell phone from the truckers so my parents had his number. They later called him and thanked him for helping me and he refused any and all gifts they offered. He also helped clean up some of my blood as dangerous as it could have been since he didn't know me.   To this day because of him I stop every time I see an accident that doesn't have emergency personnel at it yet. I have a fully stocked first aid kit in my trunk and a couple towels. I've been witness to several accidents and the most awkward one I helped at I was on crutches awaiting knee surgery trying to help the victims. Once they were ok they turned around trying to help me since I was hopping around. They made me sit down and I just played with the child that had been involved. The scariest one I witnessed was several months before that one and involved a drunk driver hitting a car full of teenage girls. I didn't know until I got to the car that she was drunk but once there it was obvious! After several minutes of talking to her several large men had to restrain her so she would stop trying to leave. Some f*****g people... I still stop though.

    crim_girl , mali maeder Report

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're a hero. And yes, EVERYONE should have a first aid kit in their car. I mean, band aids lose their stickiness after a couple of warm afternoons, but items like emergency flares/glow sticks, an emergency blanket, gauze, tape, a whistle, and a fire extinguisher can save lives, and hardly take up any room at all.

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never assume "other people will help". Some people go deer in the headlights. I still have a vivid memory of being on a bus that ran over a bicyclist. My friend and I were sitting at the back of the bus and could see the guy and his crumpled bike on the ground behind the bus. People just stood there like dodos. My friend and I were the first ones helping him and we left via the front of the bus and ran back to him. Also, learn a bit of basic first aid. The man had a severely injured foot and this other guy was just going to yoink his shoe off without even untying it. Had to stop him and tell him to wait for the paramedics. (he wasn't bleeding out - just an obvious injury I won't describe here). And yes to what SkyBlue said - I carried a first aid kit in my car for years and included actual emergency stuff like a tourniquet. I fortunately only ever needed the non-emergency stuff like bandaids / antibacterial cream.

    jdtimid123
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I try to keep emergency supplies in my car and usually have a small kit in whatever purse or backpack I'm carrying. Have done this for years, and I too have only ever needed Band-Aids. But that's not a bad thing, and I would rather have and not need it than need it and not have it.

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    Lucille 2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was T-boned while driving home from work at 2am by a very high lady who had stolen her bf’s meth and was driving away while he chased her in his truck. I didn’t even see her coming, my car was suddenly just spinning. Both of us were ok, but she was quite high and fell out of her car and had a scary fit on the ground so all eyes were on her. A car full of teenage boys who were driving ahead of me stopped and came and helped me out of the car (the dash was on my lap and the door frame was bent). They stayed with me because they were excited to tell the cops it wasn’t my fault and they saw everything 😂 I was like 26 and they were maybe 17-18, but they gave me a hoodie, cigarette and Monster energy drink and played trap music off their phones and made me stop crying and smile and laugh that night. To this day the taste of Monster reminds me of them 😭

    Tom
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Besides the first aid kit - a large umbrella is always in my car. Once witnessed a lady fall of her bike - and breaking her arm - so she was on the ground, in the blazing sun. We stopped, my wife comforted the lady, I called the ambulance, and my son (5) has beside her with the large umbrella shielding her from the sun. Partner of the lady called us later to thank us, and update on how she was doing, and mentioned that the umbrella idea was smart, it prevented sunburn etc. (for us, it was more to give our little one a task so he could be 'helping')

    #14

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I was in a foreign country so I didn't have a car and it was a weekend of a public holiday so there was very little public transportation. A friend and I had gone to explore the city managed to walk quite a distance from our hotel. While we were out, over an hour away, it started raining harder than I remember seeing. It was gorgeous when we left, but ridiculously cold and rainy on the way back. My buddy had brought a coat, but I was in a t-shirt. A lady walking down the street towards us with her umbrella stopped me and insisted I take her umbrella. I tried to refuse, but she insisted, telling me that her place was just around the corner. I was already drenched, but it sure did help to walk the remaining several miles with an umbrella instead just my t-shirt. I try to pay it forward by being generous whenever I have something I don't need. Rather than just repaying the one event, I want to be the kind of person that lady was.

    mlephotographe , Arafat Tarif Report

    Lucille 2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in one of the rainiest places in Canada, and my work has an abundance of branded umbrellas so I sometimes keep watch out the window and chase people down like this lol, not quite the same but I figure if we have free s**t to give away I might as well give it to people who need it :)

    ROSESARERED
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've bought a few really cheap umbrella's over the years, I keep them in my car. Given them to people to use sometimes, they always seem to find out where I work and get them back to me, even though I tell them to keep them. They go back into the car for the next unexpected rainfall..one of the joys living in a smallish town

    #15

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes Mine sounds ridiculous but this bloke genuinely saved my life. I was very young, probably about 4 or 5 and my parents were about to take me out on my first tricycle. I was sat just outside the gate to my house waiting for my parents when I had a scumbag brain moment:   "Hey Rael," my brain said, "yo Mr Mozo, you should totally just lift up your feet. Just lift them up!"   I did. I should probably mention that my house is on a very steep hill which leads directly down to a very busy road. It might also help to mention that the wee tricycle had no brakes of any kind. So pretty soon I was shooting down the hill like nobodies business. Straight towards the road. I was too frightened to even think straight. My parents were running after me screaming "Put your feet down!" but I was going too fast. I couldn't hear them and they couldn't keep up with me.   Just a few metres from the road, a builder (I think he was a builder but it was a while ago) was loading up his van. He looked up and saw me. Without a word he gracefully strode onto the pavement and as I passed he swiftly and elegantly reached out, grabbed me and lifted me from the tricycle which then rolled over. He set me down on the ground, closed his van, jumped into the front and drove off. Neither me nor my parents ever got to thank him.   **TLDR: Anonymous builder lifts me, soiled pants and all, from possessed tricycle headed for certain fairly probable quite likely possible death or at least mild injury then disappears into the night in the middle of the day.**

    anon , W O L F Λ R T Report

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of when I had a retractable leash for a 100 pound dog. He never ran before but my ahole neighbor decided to bring his dog out the front door (he never does this ge only brings him out the back) and Gunner bolted. I held in for dear life and once the leash ran out and Gunner had gotten up to full speed, I went flying off the porch and was getting dragged through the yard like a car was pulling me. My husband was like "LET GO OF THE F*****G LEASH BEFORE YOU DIE!!!" And I did finally and Gunner realized something was wrong and he turned around with his tail between his legs lol. Knocked out a tooth and my face looked like it got clobbered

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've heard lots of stories like this, ALL of them involving retractable leashes. DO NOT USE RETRACTABLE LEASHES. EVER.

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    Cara
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the TLDR version of this!

    Canda (Cat Panda)
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “fairly probable quite likely possible death or at least mild injury” 😂

    Lucille 2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Disappears into the night in the middle of the day” I strive to be this cool and heroic

    anne sane
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Upvote for the "**TLDR" LOL

    Isabel Care
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Used properly, retractable leads are ok. Choose the length and LOCK IT. Unlock it to let out more or retract, then LOCK IT again.

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    #16

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes Last year around August/September my mom and I went grocery shopping. We get food stamps, and when we got done filling our cart we went to checkout. They rang up about $150 worth of stuff and rung our EBT. It said we only had $9.00. I called and it was confirmed. My mom being stubborn just got out her Debit and used that. That was our bill money, now we might get something turned off.   Two days later I woke up at 7 am and made up a sign that said "I promised my mom I would help her out, please help" and got my backpack and bike and rode out to a corner. I sat there for about 15 minutes when a guy came up and handed me a tin full of change. Then a real bum came up and asked *ME* for change and I was like, ["Thats what I'm doing"].   So I sat there for 5 more minutes and he sat across the road from me. I was like "F**K THIS" and got up and moved, handed him some change from my tin said, "This is your corner man, I'm movin" I went down to best corner. People coming off the highway and you are standing on the drivers side, I was a minute too late as I tried to cross the road another couple came. I crossed and started to head home, I was starting to cry, I wanted to give up. I then said f**k this and turned around.   I head 2 blocks down to a corner by a gas station and where people drive out of Walmart. I changed my sign to say "Down on my luck, spare a buck? Your change can make a change" I was there for one hour. I got $2 from a guy my age in a riced out car, $5 from a nurse in a Hummer. I was sitting down with a baggy sweater, my hair in a headband and sunglasses on so people couldn't see my eyes.   It was hard, it wasn't the sitting out their begging for money that got to me, it was the looks people give you. The ones that you can see are trying not to look at you. The ones who read your sign, you see their mouths move along they turn to the driver, nod towards you talk more. The ones you look at you with disgust thinking you are trying to buy drugs or something. But as I sat on that corner willing to be there as long as it took even if it was a buck or two at a time to make up our bills, I saw my saving grace walk around the bushes.   A man in tan pants and a dark grey shirt who looked like he was on his way to construction came towards me, his wallet in the air and said "I want to help ya out" He crouched down to me and said "How ya doin? I'm Jim, what's your name?" I told him my name, he asked how old I was I was 19 at the time, he said "Ya know I was 18 and homeless for 2 years, I ate outta trash cans, slept under bridges" As he said this he reached into his wallet and pulled out a folded up bill, I saw a 1 so I thought it was a ten and was ecstatic. He continued "But ya know, it got better, now I have my own business and a little more money than I need" He nodded at the bill and I unfolded it. It was a $100 bill!!!   I started to bawl. I got up to my knees and gave him a hug and thanked him over and over. He said "God or whoever you believe in loves you, and things are going to change" He got up and left and I sat there blubbering like a baby and then trying to contain myself. I said, that is enough I am not gonna be greedy and so I got up and got on my bike and went home as fast as I could on a broken chain and chainring. I got home and went into my moms room and told her to close her eyes and hold out her hands.   She was currently on unemployment due to disabilities, but didn't qualify for disability because she didn't spend enough time in the hospital. I dumped the money out into her hands and she said what is this? She sorted through and her eyes widened when she saw the nice crisp Benjamin. She said "Did you go hooker for money?" I laughed and told her no I went and stood on a corner with a sign. She asked to see the sign and I could just see the shock on her face. She told me thank you but I didn't need to do that. I told her I had to. We found out they changed the date we got our food stamps to 6 days later without informing us. So now I try to give bums that look like they really need it like $5 every time I can afford to do it, and one time I got out and talked to him and gave him a hug.   TLDR; Mom thought I hookered myself on a corner, I now give hobos hugs.

    anon , Karolina Grabowska Report

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That takes bravery. I couldn't do it. I tried once but I could never get the words out of my mouth to ask. I just couldn't do it. I always Give people money when I see them and an able to now though

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I remember a time I was at my friend's flat, and she started worrying about how late it was because her husband wasn't home yet (reasons for worrying include that he would be taking the bus from DTLA, oh and he was undocumented, so there was always the threat that he might be kidnapped and taken to Tijuana at any time). Finally he got home, almost 4 hours late. Turned out his wallet had been stolen, and it took him that long to cadge a buck-fifty to get home. :/

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    Biofish23
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This story rubs me the wrong way. Why was her best plan for coming up with $100 begging on a street corner instead of looking for a job? And yet refers to other people who are asking for money as "bums" and "hobos" , but with a big dose of virtue signaling because she gives them hugs and $5.

    Victoria
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She needed money fast because they'd have services cut off. Getting a job and waiting for a paycheck would have been too long. But the rest of your comment... Yeah I agree.

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    Jeremy James
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first and last time I begged was once, when I was stranded in a strange city. I was really hungry, so I stood by a trash can at a food court, waiting for someone about to throw away a half-eaten meal. The first lady to approach was a middle-aged woman. I asked her if I could please finish her tray. She started crying, which made me cry. She gave me a hug and $20 and told me that I reminded her of her son. I felt terrible. I hope I never have to do that again.

    Lucille 2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always try to help people out, I don’t understand how little empathy some people can have. My small town has a lot of people who are down on their luck, and they hang out at the gas station often so when I buy my gas I’ll try to buy whoever’s outside a Gatorade, sandwich, and one of those little veggie & dip trays. My coworkers make fun of me for it :/

    Julia Mckinney
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughters and I usually try to give out protein or fiber bars to people at the parking lot exits. We keep extras in our purses just for that.

    Kirsten Mikkelsen
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Kirsten Mikkelsen
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "She was currently on unemployment due to disabilities, but didn't qualify for disability because she didn't spend enough time in the hospital." Can somebody please explain this to a forigner? How can the duration of a hospital stay be decisive for the right to get help?!?

    Marie Slundt
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please don't call them bums and hobos. They are people without a home. But kudos for you helping your mom.

    Missy Corron
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice take but "riced out" is racist.

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    #17

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes When I was around 18 or so, my brother and some friends had a flat tire in the pouring rain. None of us had ever changed a tire, so we kind of stared at the tire and fumbled around with the "tire changing tools" while standing in water half way up to our knees. All of a sudden, a businessman in a suit stops and gets out of his suv, changes the tire in about 30 seconds. We thank him and he ~~runs~~ swims back soaking wet to his suv.

    n1ch0la5 , Tehmasip Khan Report

    SarahBee
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I pulled into a gas station with a flat tire. I started to pull out the spare and the tools, when the man parked next to me said "I can do that for you - I work in a tire shop." Not sure about 30 seconds, but he had the spare on in less than a minute for sure. He wouldn't take anything, or let me buy him a sub (there was a Subway there). What a nice guy!

    Lucille 2
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s so sweet, I hope that guy is having a great day 😊

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    SheDeM
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every kid should be required to know how to change a tire and jump start a battery before they get a driver's license. This is not brain surgery! Dudes in suits who swim through rainstorms know how to do this!

    YetAnotherSarah
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my house, no getting your license without knowing how to change a tire.

    Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl)
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOL Reminds me of a time that I had a flat and when I got the jack out to change it, 2 young boys walked up and offered to change it for me, for a smoke each. They changed the tyre, and got their smokes. :D Saved me from getting dirty hands. LOL (I checked the tightness before driving off)

    jdtimid123
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad someone was able to help, but everyone should learn to change a tire (and I'm not talking to just the boys). And try to actually have a spare tire. The last couple cars I bought, the dealership just puts essentially a fix-a-flat machine for minor issues (seals the hole and "inflates" the tire till you can get to a tire store) problem is, that stuff doesn't work for every flat, and especially not if you have a blow out (which is a whole other issue, but still).

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No disrespect but - made up story or prone to hyperbole? raining - "water halfway up to our knees". Man changes tire in 30 seconds. No, he didn't. Not unless he had a Formula 1 pit crew with him. Man "swimming" back to his SUV I have to assume is just being 'poetic'.

    Anikulapo
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a story on Reddit rather a police statement so I think a little poetic licence is acceptable. I’m sure we all understand no one can change a tyre in 30 seconds. Anyone that manly would impregnate women by looking at them.

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    #18

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes When I was about 10 years old, I used to go skiing on the weekends with Mobil ski club. It was a bunch of kids, anywhere from 8-16 or so, who would pile on a bus early morning on Saturdays, ski all day, and come back that night. They also held overnight trips. I recall the first, and only, of those trips I went on. I was absolutely terrified. Everyone always seemed to know each other. On the day trips it didn't bother me so much, but on the impending weekend trip, the consequences of loneliness seemed so magnified. I boarded the bus and sat there doing all I could to not break down crying out of fear and anxiety. An older kid, a snowboarder (still mostly skiers at that time), sat down next to me, which certainly didn't help with my unfounded feelings of inferiority. But he looked down, obviously aware of my situation and said simply: "You scared? Don't worry, man. It'll be alright." I cannot explain how much of a relief those words were. See, he was, in a metaphorical sense, what I was afraid of. Bigger kids. Cooler kids. Probably mean kids. Of course I still freaked out that night and called my parents, who planned an impromptu family ski trip, came up for the weekend and saved me from...well, nothing really. I never got to thank the guy and I am sure he had little sense of the impact he made, but it is 23 years later and I still remember the intense feeling of gratitude. Seriously, I want to give the guy a hug today as much as I did then.

    DuttyWine , Pixabay Report

    Nay Wilson
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this once. More than 20 years ago, I was 14 and on a weekend trip with my mum’s church when I see an older girl, about 17, sitting on a bench all by herself and looking lonely. I went up to her, plonked myself down on the bench and offered her a bite of the mars bar I was eating. She said thanks but no. Ok. But she still looked lonely so I sat with her for about half an hour, chatting about random things. At the end of the weekend she found me, hugged me and thanked me for talking to her. She said before I’d sat down she’d been on that bench by herself for almost an hour and no one else had even glanced at her and she’d been considering going back home. Because of me she stayed and she said she had a great time. It’s nice to be nice. I’ve never seen her again but I hope you’re doing well, Nicki

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had ski club at my school too!! I loved it but I never went on the overnight trips

    #19

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I was visiting my sister in Japan. One day while she was away at work I decided to take her bike and explore the small city she lived in. I was riding along when all of a sudden my back tire blew out. At this point I was pretty far from her house and I didn't not how to get back home. I started walking with the bike when out of nowhere a Japanese guy pulled up in his pickup. He got out of the truck put the bike in the back of the truck and told me to get in the passengers seat. In broken english he said he was going to help me. Well he drove me to a bike shop and took the bike out of the back of the pick and brought it inside the shop. He then proceeded to fix the tire. He apparently was the owner of this bike shop. I paid for the repair and looked around the shop and realized his shop was a block away from my sisters apartment. TL,DR: Flat tire while riding bike, nice Japanese man helps me out.

    SDSF , Dominika Roseclay Report

    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is me being my cynical self but this guy could drum up business by routinely flattening the tires of tourists and then following them and pulling up magically just in time to repair it. Especially since he charged

    RabidChild
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is enough ugliness in the world. When you find something beautiful why imagine it ruined? Take beauty wherever you can find it.

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    Justin Thyme
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back in the 80's while in military, I randomly wandered throughout Japan-- universally found the people gracious, and willing to play along with my fractured Japanese. Many great meals, many great stories

    Hphizzle
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While this person lucked out, riding a bike that’s not registered to you in Japan can result in it getting impounded and cost a couple hundred of dollars to get it back.

    #20

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes I was at an amusement park, standing in line with my friends and her grandmother waiting to get on a water ride. It was really hot that day, and we only went on water rides to make sure we stayed cool. As soon as we got in line I got a headache. Nothing unusual, I get headaches all the time. My friend's parents were a little ways away from the entrance, but not too terribly far. We had gotten half way through the line and my head started pounding and I felt like I was going to throw up. I told my friends I was going to go back. One asked why and I said I wasn't feeling well. I later found out she didn't hear me. Walking back, I started getting black spots all in my eyes. I had to grab onto the rail to keep my balance and to lead me back to the front. As soon as I got to the entrance I couldn't stand anymore and fell down at the front while my vision went completely black. I couldn't see anything for a few seconds. About 10 people passed me before one guy finally went over to help me stand up. I don't remember standing up. I remember the man putting my arm around his neck and start to led me back to my family. A bunch of thoughts went through my mind, "Can I trust this guy? Is he going to kidnap me? I can't defend myself, I can hardly stand up." He was actually really nice, and led me back to my friend's mom and stayed around until the doctors there got to me. I never got to thank him because I hardly had enough breath in me to answer the simple yes and no questions the doctors asked me. I was apparently really dehydrated, but made me realize how little people stop to help people who obviously need it. Tl;dr: Almost passed out at an amusement park, a guy stopped to help me Edit: Now that I think about it, the guy looked a lot like an older version of Mitt Romney.

    TDIfan241 , sergio souza Report

    Jus Frpn
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had something similar happen to me at my friend's Christian church. In the bathroom almost passed put, crying and puking. 2 ladies came in...both ignored me. Finally made it to the hallway. Pale and crying and pastor walks by me, looks at me and keeps walking. Finally had enough energy to leave snd never went back.

    ninjaTrashPandaBoom
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have found that not all good "Christians" are necessarily good people. Some are awesome, but being religious does not automatically equal being good in my experience. Goes for all religions BTW.

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    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heat stroke? Happened to me at Disney once

    TeenieMeanie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happened to me at six flags. Fainting IRL is way scary.

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    Petra Schaap
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i fell from my bike twice when i was a young kid maybe 12, 13. (being clumsy) both times every grown up just laughed and made fun of me or just ignored me and left me on the street. Second time it happened i started yelling at them when i got up that they were idiots and should have helped. They just kept ignoring me.

    Fun Fan
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sad, that for people from USA the first thought, if someone helping them is :"Can I trust this guy? Is he going to kidnap me? I can't defend myself, I can hardly stand up." -quote from post. It's really sad from the people of the-land-of-the-free...... Sic transit gloria mundi!

    Kitty White
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so scary… it used to happen to me a lot when I was younger. The heat really gets to me- always has- and when I get overheated, I feel weak, dizzy, get those black spots in my vision, head and heart both pound. As a female, I was always extremely wary of someone trying to take advantage of my vulnerable state, so I always tried to ‘tough it out’ and not let on how unwell I was feeling. Fortunately, there are good people in the world- more than the news would have us believe. Which makes sense in a sad way, because when young people go missing it makes headlines. That’s why I like pieces like this; I doubt that any of these stories made it into the headlines, much less national news. But I think it’s important for us everyday citizens to be made aware of the good, kind, helpful folks among us. Just as importantly, having the experience of being saved- in whatever way- by a stranger does seem to spur us on to do the same.

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    #21

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes When I was getting off the bus in High School. Some D-bag decided he didn't want to wait behind the bus so he tried passing on the left. I should have been hit, but right before some guy getting into his car whistled at me. I stopped and turned around to see who it was. That gesture probably saved me from being destroyed.

    BAM225 , Pham Khoai Report

    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think people who pass stopped school buses need to be blown to bits with a bazooka. I've even seen (1) one police car doing it. No, no lights or siren, just going for coffee.

    Robert T
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You realise that in other countries it is completely normal for traffic to pass buses when they stop?

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    Not a panda just a koala
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was crossing a road. And this big truck stopped. As I was half way down the road he starts to sound is horn like crazy. Apparently there was this car coming at full speed. Which I could not see because of the semi or hear because of the loud traffick

    #22

    22 Times Complete Strangers Stepped Up In Superheroes’ Shoes This happened to a buddy of mine, not me, but I was there, so I guess that makes it my story too.   So were at the bar, its my buddys 21st birthday. First legal drink beer omg wasted so coool. These random guys show up at the bar and said they were from out of the state, and proceed to buy my buddy, and everyone he was with some shots, then some beers, then so more alcohol. By the end of the night, my friend was absolutely OBLITERATED. All in all he racked up a $475 dollar tab (I tried to steal it so I could pitch in). He refused to let any of us pitch in to help out, he just told us all that he expects us to do the same thing if we ever come across a 21st birthday at a bar.   TLDR: Random out-of-stater gave my friend alcohol poisoning for free.

    likesslowcars , Charlotte May Report

    Wood Carver
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sounds like every pipeline field job I've ever worked on. Everyone has sooo many hours that their checks are nice and fat and they get a little.... let's call it feducially inconsiderate with their wallets. They are all a little rough around the edges (living out of a suitcase and working in swamps or forest or mountains will do that to ya) but almost to a person they were the most generous, kind-hearted people. At least on the inspection and repair jobs the crews are fairly small and difficult to work with people don't last long. Old coworker once described us as domesticated wolves. Quick to bark, quicker to cuddle.