Today when I was getting home, I noticed one of my neighbours sitting out in front of our building with her dog, and she was crying. I sat down next to her and asked her what was wrong. She told me that she was just having the worst day. Her husband had beaten her up earlier, and she'd kicked him out, but he'd taken a bunch of her money on his way out. She'd gone to pawn the string of pearls that he'd given her as a wedding gift, only to find out that they were fake. I asked her if she wanted a hug, and she nodded, so I just held her and let her literally cry on my shoulder for a few minutes. She apologised for dumping all this on me, but I told her that if I hadn't been willing to be dumped on, I wouldn't have bothered to stop and talk to her. I asked her if she needed anything, and she said that she could really use a cigarette, so I gave her the rest of my pack, as well as my mobile number, and told her to call me if she ever needed anything. She thanked me profusely and said that she wished more men were like me. I told her, truthfully, that I was just doing what any decent person should do when passing by someone in obvious distress. I really hope she does call if she needs help with anything. She's a really sweet lady and doesn't at all deserve what's happening to her.

I do really believe that what I did wasn't especially amazing or saintly. I can't really imagine not stopping to try to help someone who is obviously in trouble, or at the very least, having a very rough time. But it does seem that I'm in the minority. It seems that not many people are willing to take a few minutes out of their day to help out a stranger or near-stranger, and I can't help but wonder why.

What about you? Do you make an effort to help people when you can? Why or why not? Have you ever had someone stop to help you? How did it make you feel?