This Man’s Story Of How No One Came To His Rescue Despite Mexican Immigrants Is A Perfect Lesson On Judgement
If you have ever driven or rode in a car it’s likely you’ve seen someone on the side of the road in distress – did you pick them up or pull over? Well, this question, ‘have you ever picked up a hitch-hiker?’ prompted a long, heartfelt response from one Reddit user and the story is about much more than driving etiquette. In the full page essay, user rhoner told the story of a Mexican migrant family that despite the hardships they had faced or prejudices people might hold about them in these divided times, they taught him the ultimate lesson in what it means to help your fellow human. (Facebook cover image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncdot/16892310449/)
Image credits: North Dakota
Someone on Reddit began a thread with this simple question
And one user had this beautiful response:
Just about every time I see someone I stop. I kind of got out of the habit in the last couple of years, moved to a big city and all that, my girlfriend wasn’t too stoked on the practice. Then some sh*t happened to me that changed me and I am back to offering rides habitually. If you would indulge me, it is [a] long story and has almost nothing to do with hitch hiking other than happening on a road.
This past year I have had 3 instances of car trouble. A blow out on a freeway, a bunch of blown fuses and an out of gas situation. All of them were while driving other people’s cars which, for some reason, makes it worse on an emotional level. It makes it worse on a practical level as well, what with the fact that I carry things like a jack and extra fuses in my car, and know enough not to park, facing downhill, on a steep incline with less than a gallon of fuel.
Anyway, each of these times this sh*t happened I was DISGUSTED with how people would not bother to help me. I spent hours on the side of the freeway waiting, watching roadside assistance vehicles blow past me, for AAA to show. The 4 gas stations I asked for a gas can at told me that they couldn’t loan them out “for my safety” but I could buy a really sh**ty 1-gallon one with no cap for $15. It was enough, each time, to make you say sh*t like “this country is going to hell in a handbasket.”
But you know who came to my rescue all three times? Immigrants. Mexican immigrants. None of them spoke a lick of the language. But one of those dudes had a profound effect on me.
He was the guy that stopped to help me with a blow out with his whole family of 6 in tow. I was on the side of the road for close to 4 hours. Big jeep, blown rear tire, had a spare but no jack. I had signs in the windows of the car, big signs that said NEED A JACK and offered money. No dice. Right as I am about to give up and just hitch out there a van pulls over and dude bounds out. He sizes the situation up and calls for his youngest daughter who speaks English. He conveys through her that he has a jack but it is too small for the Jeep so we will need to brace it. He produces a saw from the van and cuts a log out of a downed tree on the side of the road. We rolled it over, put his jack on top, and bam, in business. I start taking the wheel off and, if you can believe it, I broke his tire iron. It was one of those collapsible ones and I wasn’t careful and I snapped the head I needed clean off. F*ck.
No worries, he runs to the van, gives it to his wife and she is gone in a flash, down the road to buy a tire iron. She is back in 15 minutes, we finish the job with a little sweat and cussing (stupid log was starting to give), and I am a very happy man. We are both filthy and sweaty. The wife produces a large water jug for us to wash our hands in. I tried to put a 20 in the man’s hand but he wouldn’t take it so I instead gave it to his wife as quietly as I could. I thanked them up one side and down the other. I asked the little girl where they lived, thinking maybe I could send them a gift for being so awesome. She says they live in Mexico. They are here so mommy and daddy can pick peaches for the next few weeks. After that they are going to pick cherries then go back home. She asks if I have had lunch and when I told her no she gave me a tamale from their cooler, the best f*cking tamale I have ever had.
So, to clarify, a family that is undoubtedly poorer than you, me, and just about everyone else on that stretch of road, working on a seasonal basis where time is money, took an hour or two out of their day to help some strange dude on the side of the road when people in tow trucks were just passing me by. Wow…
But we aren’t done yet. I thank them again and walk back to my car and open the foil on the tamale cause I am starving at this point and what do I find inside? My f**king $20 bill! I whirl around and run up to the van and the guy rolls his window down. He sees the $20 in my hand and just shaking his head no like he won’t take it. All I can think to say is “Por Favor, Por Favor, Por Favor” with my hands out. Dude just smiles, shakes his head and, with what looked like great concentration, tried his hardest to speak to me in English:
“Today you…. tomorrow me.”
Rolled up his window, drove away, his daughter waving to me in the rearview. I sat in my car eating the best f**king tamale of all time and I just cried. Like a little girl. It has been a rough year and nothing has broke my way. This was so out of left field I just couldn’t deal.
In the 5 months since I have changed a couple of tires, given a few rides to gas stations and, once, went 50 miles out of my way to get a girl to an airport. I won’t accept money. Every time I tell them the same thing when we are through:
“Today you…. tomorrow me.”
People in the comments were moved by the story but not sure they could do the same
As a woman, I have stopped/given rides to other women before. I would never stop for a man. It's sad that I have to think that way but I must keep myself safe.
I don't blame you, my wife wouldn't either and i am perfectly ok with that, her safety comes first.
Load More Replies...Probably because many of them know how it is to depend on generosity of others, to need help (or food or clothing or anything else) but not being able to simply pay for it and get it whenever they need it so some (but not all) of them are more willing to help someone else when they see them in a similar situation
Load More Replies...It is so wonderful when I think of those who give of themselves with no hesitation, or want of reward. It is wonderful that those few can and do make this world a better, kinder, nicer place to be.
Yes... more people should do it simply because it was the right thing to do. Why does everybody expect a reward for doing the right thing??
Load More Replies...One very cold winter morning I was driving (female, alone) across a freeway that is mostly farm land between two cities. I saw a man and his 12-14 yo son (of course being a teenager was underdressed...) walking up the freeway ramp to find gas (they had a can and I had passed their truck on the side of the road) I knew from the license plate they weren't not from the area and they were at an exit with a small café but no gas station. I turned around and went back to them. I offered to take the can and get gas (about 5 miles away) and would meet them at the café when I returned. I got a couple gallons of gas and I drove them back to the bottom of the exit ramp, he offered to pay me for the gas but I refused and told him to pay it forward some day. Not something I would normally do but they needed help...
You gauged the situation and saw that it was legitimate. I do that too. I'm glad you helped them. I am more likely to stop for people when the weather is extreme. On a nice sunny day, it probably won't kill them to walk. When the whether is freezing, or boiling hot, they could die just walking for help.
Load More Replies...I love what he said "Today you, tomorrow me" truer words have never been spoken. I am disgusted by how our country has treated immigrants and this is a great lesson learned here. Thank you for sharing.
It was noon, 98 degrees, 85% humidity. Young guy was sitting on the side of the highway, windows down, hood up. It's too hot to be sitting there. I pulled over and gave him a ride home. Took me 5 minutes out of my way. Guy kept looking at me strange and finally asked why a woman alone would stop for a man. I told him people need to help each other out. He thanked me (he'd been sitting there for nearly an hour). fast forward 2 years. My son's car broke down 100 miles from home. He got a ride from this guy all the way back to town and home. Turns out, it was the same guy I helped before. He told me that ride changed his life and he doesn't pass up an opportunity to help someone if he can.
Awesome! I picked up a young man in my town on an extremely hot day (120F) and drove him home (way out in the country). I can't remember his reason for being out in that heat, but it seemed legit. I didn't know him, but it turns out I knew his grandparents. They were telling my dad about this nice young lady with long, blond hair driving an old black Ford who saved their grandson's life that day. My dad knew it had to be me and he was not amused. He yelled at me for picking up hitchhikers.
Load More Replies...I used to hitch all over. I always pick up hitchhikers and always stop for stranded drivers. I've had a couple of weird incidents but nothing big. I've had some incredible rides and some great stories to tell. I was often picked up by people who were obviously poor and never picked up by anyone obviously well off. Empathy.
This is a wonderful story and I'm sorry to nitpick, but the title should read "except Mexican immigrants", not "despite Mexican immigrants". I usually wouldn't be that guy, but "despite" gives "mexican immigrants" a negative connotation
That was the point of the story. People act like immigrants are these murderous, thieving race of people who want to move in and take all our jobs. Some immigrants are bad people, but that has nothing to do with their nationality. They are just people; some good, some bad.
Load More Replies...similar story: we got a flat in a parking lot. Guatemalan family drives in, immediately sees us and comes over to help. Our jack was broken, his jack was not the right size. He offers to drive my husband to a friends house to get a proper jack -- 15 minutes there, 15 minutes back. His wife and daughter stayed with us "to keep you company" !! Tire is fixed, I offered them what I had in my wallet - $20 - they refused it. I tried to give it to the mom on the sly, she refused it. I offer her Anjali Mudra (hands in prayer position, slight bow). She returned the gesture to me.
I have never given a ride to a hitchhiker. But, to be fair, I've also never seen one. I do, however, help whenever I can, however I can. We're all here together, after all.
So true. We are all here for the long haul; might as well be nice to each other.
Load More Replies...8 years ago on Reddit. I knew it was going to be “today you tomorrow me” before I even clicked. Good story though. Also you mean “except,” not “despite.”
I've given away my last dollar to people who need it more than me. It's always come back to me when I needed it :)
I've given away my last dollar several times and then needed that dollar hours later. So now I always make sure I have enough for bus fare at all times.
Load More Replies...Still? The world is kinder than it's ever been. Pick up a history book and it's filled with s**t that would make a modern day a*****e look like a saint. "If it bleeds, it leads" is a major factor in why people are so cynical about "people today".
Load More Replies...Never feel like you have to stop for anyone/everyone. I get the safety issues involved. I have always stopped for someone in a remote area that is having car issues. However, i do decide whether or not to get out of the car. A family i tend to not have any second thoughts, a couple during the day, no worries. But a couple at night or a solo guy or groups I wont get out but just lock my doors, roll down the windows a crack and ask if i can call anyone for them or let the closest fuel station they need a hand. Anything can happen to anyone at any time, and i would never want anything to happen to someone if i could have even just done the small thing of asking.
kinda reminds me of this story - https://www.purposefairy.com/7597/be-kind-what-goes-around-comes-back-around/ it's told quite a bit in New Zealand primary schools.
Hopefully they'll achieve the citizenship they deserve and live a great life. They have a great quality that we should be fostering in ordinary Americans.
https://www.gofundme.com/discharged-veteran-need-help?pc=ot_co_dashboard_a&rcid=e8a4755463214542a07686a76c3ec810
It's often the people closest to the edge who give the most. They've seen and they know what it's like to need help.
It's illegal to pick up hitchhikers in my area, we've got 4-5 prisons around here and the county jail. Also, I'm a woman who often has my kids, all girls, in the van with me. I will not offer a ride to a guy unless I know him. A woman might be a little different, haven't come across that situation yet.
Don't feel bad about keeping you and your family safe. Your family should be your top priority. If it isn't safe, don't do it.
Load More Replies...I've had people stop for me along the highway at least six times, and they've all been stereotypical white country boys, and one woman. They've also all been poor. I think the people who stop know what it's like to need help from a stranger, and are reciprocating.
Man, I love those country boys. One time I was on the way to work and my belt broke. I had a new one in the trunk, but hadn't put it on yet. I'm sitting by the road, pulling out my tools, with my hood up. These two country boys pulled over, asked what was wrong and then brushed me aside saying, "We got this little lady." That last bit offended me, but I kept my mouth shut and let them fix it. If they wanted to do it, I figured I should let them. A few minutes later, I'm on my way. I got my car fixed, didn't have to get my hands dirty and, admittedly, they fixed it faster than I could have. I wasn't even late for work.
Load More Replies...This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...Tjler..... honestly, you need help... You have a beautiful little baby daughter, I hope that she gets what's left of love in you
Load More Replies...As a woman, I have stopped/given rides to other women before. I would never stop for a man. It's sad that I have to think that way but I must keep myself safe.
I don't blame you, my wife wouldn't either and i am perfectly ok with that, her safety comes first.
Load More Replies...Probably because many of them know how it is to depend on generosity of others, to need help (or food or clothing or anything else) but not being able to simply pay for it and get it whenever they need it so some (but not all) of them are more willing to help someone else when they see them in a similar situation
Load More Replies...It is so wonderful when I think of those who give of themselves with no hesitation, or want of reward. It is wonderful that those few can and do make this world a better, kinder, nicer place to be.
Yes... more people should do it simply because it was the right thing to do. Why does everybody expect a reward for doing the right thing??
Load More Replies...One very cold winter morning I was driving (female, alone) across a freeway that is mostly farm land between two cities. I saw a man and his 12-14 yo son (of course being a teenager was underdressed...) walking up the freeway ramp to find gas (they had a can and I had passed their truck on the side of the road) I knew from the license plate they weren't not from the area and they were at an exit with a small café but no gas station. I turned around and went back to them. I offered to take the can and get gas (about 5 miles away) and would meet them at the café when I returned. I got a couple gallons of gas and I drove them back to the bottom of the exit ramp, he offered to pay me for the gas but I refused and told him to pay it forward some day. Not something I would normally do but they needed help...
You gauged the situation and saw that it was legitimate. I do that too. I'm glad you helped them. I am more likely to stop for people when the weather is extreme. On a nice sunny day, it probably won't kill them to walk. When the whether is freezing, or boiling hot, they could die just walking for help.
Load More Replies...I love what he said "Today you, tomorrow me" truer words have never been spoken. I am disgusted by how our country has treated immigrants and this is a great lesson learned here. Thank you for sharing.
It was noon, 98 degrees, 85% humidity. Young guy was sitting on the side of the highway, windows down, hood up. It's too hot to be sitting there. I pulled over and gave him a ride home. Took me 5 minutes out of my way. Guy kept looking at me strange and finally asked why a woman alone would stop for a man. I told him people need to help each other out. He thanked me (he'd been sitting there for nearly an hour). fast forward 2 years. My son's car broke down 100 miles from home. He got a ride from this guy all the way back to town and home. Turns out, it was the same guy I helped before. He told me that ride changed his life and he doesn't pass up an opportunity to help someone if he can.
Awesome! I picked up a young man in my town on an extremely hot day (120F) and drove him home (way out in the country). I can't remember his reason for being out in that heat, but it seemed legit. I didn't know him, but it turns out I knew his grandparents. They were telling my dad about this nice young lady with long, blond hair driving an old black Ford who saved their grandson's life that day. My dad knew it had to be me and he was not amused. He yelled at me for picking up hitchhikers.
Load More Replies...I used to hitch all over. I always pick up hitchhikers and always stop for stranded drivers. I've had a couple of weird incidents but nothing big. I've had some incredible rides and some great stories to tell. I was often picked up by people who were obviously poor and never picked up by anyone obviously well off. Empathy.
This is a wonderful story and I'm sorry to nitpick, but the title should read "except Mexican immigrants", not "despite Mexican immigrants". I usually wouldn't be that guy, but "despite" gives "mexican immigrants" a negative connotation
That was the point of the story. People act like immigrants are these murderous, thieving race of people who want to move in and take all our jobs. Some immigrants are bad people, but that has nothing to do with their nationality. They are just people; some good, some bad.
Load More Replies...similar story: we got a flat in a parking lot. Guatemalan family drives in, immediately sees us and comes over to help. Our jack was broken, his jack was not the right size. He offers to drive my husband to a friends house to get a proper jack -- 15 minutes there, 15 minutes back. His wife and daughter stayed with us "to keep you company" !! Tire is fixed, I offered them what I had in my wallet - $20 - they refused it. I tried to give it to the mom on the sly, she refused it. I offer her Anjali Mudra (hands in prayer position, slight bow). She returned the gesture to me.
I have never given a ride to a hitchhiker. But, to be fair, I've also never seen one. I do, however, help whenever I can, however I can. We're all here together, after all.
So true. We are all here for the long haul; might as well be nice to each other.
Load More Replies...8 years ago on Reddit. I knew it was going to be “today you tomorrow me” before I even clicked. Good story though. Also you mean “except,” not “despite.”
I've given away my last dollar to people who need it more than me. It's always come back to me when I needed it :)
I've given away my last dollar several times and then needed that dollar hours later. So now I always make sure I have enough for bus fare at all times.
Load More Replies...Still? The world is kinder than it's ever been. Pick up a history book and it's filled with s**t that would make a modern day a*****e look like a saint. "If it bleeds, it leads" is a major factor in why people are so cynical about "people today".
Load More Replies...Never feel like you have to stop for anyone/everyone. I get the safety issues involved. I have always stopped for someone in a remote area that is having car issues. However, i do decide whether or not to get out of the car. A family i tend to not have any second thoughts, a couple during the day, no worries. But a couple at night or a solo guy or groups I wont get out but just lock my doors, roll down the windows a crack and ask if i can call anyone for them or let the closest fuel station they need a hand. Anything can happen to anyone at any time, and i would never want anything to happen to someone if i could have even just done the small thing of asking.
kinda reminds me of this story - https://www.purposefairy.com/7597/be-kind-what-goes-around-comes-back-around/ it's told quite a bit in New Zealand primary schools.
Hopefully they'll achieve the citizenship they deserve and live a great life. They have a great quality that we should be fostering in ordinary Americans.
https://www.gofundme.com/discharged-veteran-need-help?pc=ot_co_dashboard_a&rcid=e8a4755463214542a07686a76c3ec810
It's often the people closest to the edge who give the most. They've seen and they know what it's like to need help.
It's illegal to pick up hitchhikers in my area, we've got 4-5 prisons around here and the county jail. Also, I'm a woman who often has my kids, all girls, in the van with me. I will not offer a ride to a guy unless I know him. A woman might be a little different, haven't come across that situation yet.
Don't feel bad about keeping you and your family safe. Your family should be your top priority. If it isn't safe, don't do it.
Load More Replies...I've had people stop for me along the highway at least six times, and they've all been stereotypical white country boys, and one woman. They've also all been poor. I think the people who stop know what it's like to need help from a stranger, and are reciprocating.
Man, I love those country boys. One time I was on the way to work and my belt broke. I had a new one in the trunk, but hadn't put it on yet. I'm sitting by the road, pulling out my tools, with my hood up. These two country boys pulled over, asked what was wrong and then brushed me aside saying, "We got this little lady." That last bit offended me, but I kept my mouth shut and let them fix it. If they wanted to do it, I figured I should let them. A few minutes later, I'm on my way. I got my car fixed, didn't have to get my hands dirty and, admittedly, they fixed it faster than I could have. I wasn't even late for work.
Load More Replies...This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...Tjler..... honestly, you need help... You have a beautiful little baby daughter, I hope that she gets what's left of love in you
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