Giving Strangers Rides

bluecrush84

Hey guys,


I went to the grocery store late at night after work. I work in the evening and get out late around midnight.

So I get some items, then get in line. While I am getting my items checked a random woman comes up to me and asks if I live in the area...I was taken off guard, so I said 'kind of...' then she asks me if I can give her a ride home. I told her 'sorry but I cannot.' She then asked the couple behind me and they told her no because they did not live in the area. She then walked away looking embarrassed and sad.

I felt bad not giving her a ride....but it was late at night, I am a single woman, and you never know what a stranger could do.

Last week a fellow employee asked for a ride to her car cause it was late, so I gave her a ride and helped her find her car.

I like helping people especially women at night but not if I am putting myself at risk. In the back of my head that saying nothing good happens after midnight rings in my head.


But I still feel bad...what would you do? Should I feel bad?

MrStabbems

I would have given her the lift.

cee134

*kitten* no you shouldn't feel bad. She could of robbed you or had you go to an unsafe area.

MrStabbems

I'll be honest, people don't usually ask me for a lift

synchkat

MrStabbems wrote: »

I'll be honest, people don't usually ask me for a lift

perhaps it's the smell coming from your trunk?

And OP I wouldn't feel badly that's kind of weird

MrStabbems

synchkat wrote: »

MrStabbems wrote: »

I'll be honest, people don't usually ask me for a lift

perhaps it's the smell coming from your trunk?

And OP I wouldn't feel badly that's kind of weird

The muffled screams maybe but the smell? I clean that *kitten* daily!

Unknown

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ninerbuff

Tough to do these days. I wouldn't have and I'd never encourage anyone else either. I watch ID Network all the time and a lot of the heinous crap that happen to people are because they are very considerate and end up being targets.


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RunHardBeStrong

LL5lifts wrote: »

I have had strangers on mfp ask me if I want a mustache ride. I find that a bit unnerving. I don't know them and they are old enough to be my dad in some cases.

I told you I would start shaving if that's all it would take.

Ben_there_done_that

Don't feel bad. I've given rides to strangers twice in my life and each have been creepy as hell. I'm fairly sure the last one had warrants. I'm done, though. The next one will probably be the one to murder me.

synchkat

MrStabbems wrote: »

synchkat wrote: »

MrStabbems wrote: »

I'll be honest, people don't usually ask me for a lift

perhaps it's the smell coming from your trunk?

And OP I wouldn't feel badly that's kind of weird

The muffled screams maybe but the smell? I clean that *kitten* daily!

I thought that was just music. Man I need to reevaluate who I accept rides from in the future

UltimateTrashBae

I probably wouldn't do it. I just don't like the idea of strangers. I'm out and about doing my business, I get very uncomfortable when someone tries to start a conversation with me. That, and I really don't want to have to go even a block out of my way when I'm trying to go home. If you don't live on the way, you're in my way.

I do think it's weird that people's first reaction is to think that the woman was probably a serial killer. Like, what? It's far more likely that the lady's car had broken down and she didn't have the money to call for a cab. Especially if you saw her asking other people. Serial-killers are 85% male anyway, I don't think it's a matter of safety.

Ben_there_done_that

She may not have been a serial killer, but there are a lot of red flags there. Even if her car broke down, she doesn't have a cell phone or anyone else to call?

UltimateTrashBae

I'd be more worried about that lady, to be honest. While considerate people can sometimes end up being targets, people in need are more often victims. She could have gotten into the car with someone who offered to take her home and never made it home at all.

ValleyHooper

I've never given a hitchhiker a ride before but..... I could make an exception in his case.

kwph

Hell No ....U did right thing ...& what was that lady thinking jumping in a strangers car ...That could go wrong 4 her 2 ....

nomorepuke

I understand why you feel bad. But you never know who that person is.
I would have given her $10 or $20 so that she can get a cab or something. It's just a sad world we live in.

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KyleGrace8

My ex gave hitch hikers rides all the time and my bf dropped a lady off at a gas station down the street a few weeks ago but I never would. My ex wanted to pick someone up while I was with him and I flat out told him no. I'm not about to get a gun or something pointed at my head even if it's unlikely. I understand wanting to help people out but for me, only if I knew you. I wouldn't feel bad about it. People are crazy out there and they prey on polite folk.

GreenGoddess22

I read a book years ago about some girl who asked for a ride and the couple who picked her up kidnapped her and held her as a sex slave for years. There's a movie about it, I think it's called The Girl in the Box or something. Anyway, as bad as you feel about telling her no, you trusted your gut.

RunHardBeStrong

GreenGoddess22 wrote: »

I read a book years ago about some girl who asked for a ride and the couple who picked her up kidnapped her and held her as a sex slave for years. There's a movie about it, I think it's called The Girl in the Box or something. Anyway, as bad as you feel about telling her no, you trusted your gut.

You are correct The Girl in the Box. Very true, very disturbing story.

Motorsheen

Dunno. ...

Was she a hottie?

finny11122

bluecrush84 wrote: »

Hey guys,


I went to the grocery store late at night after work. I work in the evening and get out late around midnight.

So I get some items, then get in line. While I am getting my items checked a random woman comes up to me and asks if I live in the area...I was taken off guard, so I said 'kind of...' then she asks me if I can give her a ride home. I told her 'sorry but I cannot.' She then asked the couple behind me and they told her no because they did not live in the area. She then walked away looking embarrassed and sad.

I felt bad not giving her a ride....but it was late at night, I am a single woman, and you never know what a stranger could do.

Last week a fellow employee asked for a ride to her car cause it was late, so I gave her a ride and helped her find her car.

I like helping people especially women at night but not if I am putting myself at risk. In the back of my head that saying nothing good happens after midnight rings in my head.


But I still feel bad...what would you do? Should I feel bad?

God will judge you . That was a test . She is probably laying dead in the gutter as we speak

Bonny132

Should you feel bad? Yes of course you should.

You should feel bad because we live in a society where being kind and thoughtful can result in terrible things happening to you. It is a trade off, to help a stranger, hope nothing bad happens and feel good about it, or to listen to your gut, get home safely and feel bad for not giving a stranger a lift home.

The majority of people would like to be more kind and considerate than what we are, but unfortunately these days it is your own safety first. Always listen to your gut feeling, don't take unnecessary risks. You don't want to be tomorrows news.

Motorsheen

I would have given her a ride.

Heck, I gave 3 strangers a ride on new years eve.

One guy threw a twenty dollar bill at me and I threw it back at him.

He finally stuffed the $20 into my cup holder.

cwolfman13

I don't think you should feel bad, I'd not let a stranger into my car. I do like performing random acts of kindness, so I would probably have offered to get her an Uber.

TheRoadDog

I would probably give them a ride, but I would not want my wife or daughters giving a stranger a ride.

About a month ago, I saw a teenager walking around our neighborhood. I could see that he was obviously lost and mentally challenged. I approached him and asked him if he needed help. It took him a while to explain but the short story is that a neighboring teen asked him if he wanted to go with him for a ride, then took him and dropped him off far from home and left him as a cruel joke. This kid had been wandering around all day. I was on my motorcycle, so I put it away and got the car and took him home. It was about 60 miles round trip. He also hadn't eaten all day so I took him through a drive through.

TommyW45

That's how people get skinned alive !

GreenGoddess22

TheRoadDog wrote: »

I would probably give them a ride, but I would not want my wife or daughters giving a stranger a ride.

About a month ago, I saw a teenager walking around our neighborhood. I could see that he was obviously lost and mentally challenged. I approached him and asked him if he needed help. It took him a while to explain but the short story is that a neighboring teen asked him if he wanted to go with him for a ride, then took him and dropped him off far from home and left him as a cruel joke. This kid had been wandering around all day. I was on my motorcycle, so I put it away and got the car and took him home. It was about 60 miles round trip. He also hadn't eaten all day so I took him through a drive through.

Aw poor kid. I'm glad he crossed paths with you. Why are some people so cruel and heartless while others would give their last dime to help someone in need?

MrStabbems

I've let many strangers have a ride on me

melmelw03

TheRoadDog wrote: »

I would probably give them a ride, but I would not want my wife or daughters giving a stranger a ride.

About a month ago, I saw a teenager walking around our neighborhood. I could see that he was obviously lost and mentally challenged. I approached him and asked him if he needed help. It took him a while to explain but the short story is that a neighboring teen asked him if he wanted to go with him for a ride, then took him and dropped him off far from home and left him as a cruel joke. This kid had been wandering around all day. I was on my motorcycle, so I put it away and got the car and took him home. It was about 60 miles round trip. He also hadn't eaten all day so I took him through a drive through.

This story makes me hate and also love people at the same time. Too bad you couldn't track down the *kitten* who ditched him.