Ever went up to a random stranger and asked if they were ok?

javaboy · 25-09-2008 02:24PM

Earthhorse wrote: »

Are you okay?

I know what you're going for there but then we're not just random strangers now are we? Don't tell me that being a friend on my profile page means nothing to you? :eek::(

Earthhorse · 25-09-2008 02:30PM

Your random and strange though. That's gotta count for something?

dade · 25-09-2008 02:41PM

yeah on abbey street a few years ago. seen this one crying asked was she OK she said yeah. so escorted her to a taxi and walked of like the good gentle man.

couple of seconds later said taxi stops beside me and the door opened. turns out her favorite rabbit floppsie dies that day. alas i could not provide her with another floppsie but his evil twin brother stiffy

javaboy · 25-09-2008 02:46PM

Earthhorse wrote: »

Your random and strange though. That's gotta count for something?

Two things:

It's "you're" not "your". "You're" is a contraction of "you are". I wouldn't normally correct that kind of mistake but after the unprovoked attacks on my manhood earlier, I've had to resort to cheap digs.
Don't start that 'random' crap again.

5starpool · 25-09-2008 02:52PM

I have both asked and been asked although both are rare events. The first one when I asked (although initially I was trying to chat her up til I saw she was upset - does that count?) was outside O'Briens bar in Melbourne (near the crown, in the shopping centre) about 5 or 6 years ago. Very pretty, but sad girl sitting outside the pub at closing. I ended up taking her home in a taxi after chatting to her for a while trying to cheer her up. She was very pretty so I wish i was less nice at times. Never did meet her again sadly.

Another time I didn't need to ask, this homeless guy in a wheelchair on Stephens green had cut his wrists and there were pools of blood on the ground, quite freaky. Ended up calling an ambulance for them and once I told them what he looked like and where he was they warned me not to touch him. When they turned up they gave out to him by name so obviously a repeat event.

Another funny time I was in NY on a J1 and on a day off from work and went into Manhattan where a friend went into an a[artment building to apply for a porters job. It was raining and I waited across the street in a little alcove. It was quite a posh area of town with upscale apartment blocks mostly, and I was sat on the ground in a dry bit in the alcove in Jeans, tshirt and runners when a guy passed by me, looked down, then came back and asked if I was ok and if I needed money. Was a very strange situation, but I thought it was funny. Should probably have accepted too, being a student and all that.

Delirium · 25-09-2008 02:53PM

Was out in a pub a few months ago. Went to head to the toilets, which were downstairs. A guy had fallen on the stairs and was basically falling asleep on the stairs. About 10 people literally climbed over him. Went over to the guy, asked if he was okay. Guy said he was trying to get to the toilets downstairs. Helped the guy down to the toilets.

One of his friends came down to see where his mate had disappeared to. As I was leaving the friend was trying to stop the guy using the urinal as a place to rest his head.:eek:

big b · 25-09-2008 03:06PM

Can't be arsed with going over specific details, but yes, I've asked many a troubled looking soul if they're Ok over the years.

Been told to eff off, mostly been told "I'm grand, I'll be fine in a minute" & sometimes had someone pour their heart out at what's troubling them.

As time goes on though, I feel less inclined to stop. The feck off merchants, the aggressive junkies, the scroungers & scammers & the out and out feckin Lulu's who inhabit the streets have all conspired to make me both weary & wary. Which is a feckin shame really.
Especially since I was going to say to the OP that he is clearly a decent sort & should offer a shoulder if he thinks the situation warrants it.

Zillah · 25-09-2008 03:32PM

whiskeyman wrote: »

Was on bus home last night, when this guy, same age as myself , gets on. He was just wearing jeans and t-shirt and carrying an old sports bag. He didn't look homeless or rough, but he looked worn down and worn out.
He shuffled slowly toward his seat, and carefully sat down... he looked genuinely in shock or as if dealing with so many bad thoughts in his head.
Even his head was stooped low, as if to avoid all contact.
His movement was slow, and he had his head resting on his arm for most of the journey... occasionally looking up for his stop.
It's hard to describe, but I've never seen anyone so down and shaken by something.
I was going to ask him if he was ok, but he then got up and got off the bus before I had built up the courage to ask him.

When I thought back, I wasn't sure what would have happened if I asked him?
He could have told me to 'GTFO!', or 'mind you own business'... or it could have been exactly what he needed... someone to talk to... but I don't even know him! It's been playing on my mind all day. I wish I could have helped him... not that I even know anything big was wrong??

THAT IS SO BIZARRE! The very same day I saw a guy just like this break down crying and throw himself in front of a train.

PeakOutput · 25-09-2008 03:36PM

iv asked strangers are they ok a few times the one that springs to mind was a guy who i just saw get the **** kicked out of him in temple bar and was gushing blood(obviously he wasnt ok) but usually its drunk girls crying / drunk guys getting violently sick

i havnt gotten a bad reaction yet i dont think

Kiera · 25-09-2008 03:37PM

Yes I’ve asked people if they are ok. If the tell me to F off then fine no biggie but no one actually has. I hate seeing people down. If you’ve got the time and someone looks in a bad way then why not? You might actually put a smile on their face by helping in some way.

Its nice to be nice.

Carsinian Thau · 25-09-2008 03:38PM

No, I never have.

I can think of a few times when I should have done so though.

My thoughts were along the same line as yours. It's quite likely that they'd tell you to eff off or something.

Dragan · 25-09-2008 03:38PM

Yeah i've asked a few people over the years, be it working or nights out or just traveling somewhere.

Never had anyone reply badly, had the usual "I'll be okay in a minute" and had two people just pour their heart out when given the opportuinity to talk about it.

Tar.Aldarion · 25-09-2008 05:53PM

I have both asked and been asked. That shocked slow movement is a good sign that their life has just been ****ed up.
I just say "I'm fine, thanks". Mmm lies!

Quazzie · 25-09-2008 06:33PM

There was a bunch of us on holidays in Santa Ponza about five years ago and we were all out one night when a few of us headed off home. One guy really needed the toilet so he walked on a bit faster than the rest of the stragglers. We caught up with him about five minutes later and he was beside the pool trying to calm down some girl that he came across that was hysterical. She was very drunk and was crying and screaming. No one knew what was up with her till she started saying she was raped. Long story short we all spent the rest of the night in a Spanish copshop each giving our statement. They still werent believing us till the next morning when the girl turned up and told them it wasn't us. Thats what ye get when ya stop to ask hysterical women 'Are you OK?'

Puddleduck · 25-09-2008 08:26PM

Yep, Ive asked people if they are ok, its one of the reasons Im so proud of my fella, hes protective over me but hes also a gent and will go over to someone if he thinks theres a problem.

I was out after a night on the drink and was sitting on a windowsill waiting for my bus when a lady and her friend came walking along ****faced, she trips and wallops her head off the windowsill, think she passed out for a sec. So I called an ambulance and stayed with her till it arrived, then she didnt even get in the fekin ambulance

MizzLolly · 25-09-2008 08:47PM

Yup, on a bus once. There was a girl sitting beside me crying her eyes out. She was wiping her tears away quickly but I heard her sniffling and seen that she was crying. I asked her was she alright. Would have been weird not to since she was sitting right next to me and was clearly upset.

She ended up telling me everything that was bothering her, everything! I think it was good for her too because by the time she got off, she was smiling again!

*adele* · 25-09-2008 08:50PM

I was having an argument with my dad and he was driving along beside me and I must have looked really upset, because these two women stopped walking (probably thinking he was some stranger following me)until they I told them it was just my dad. I have to say I really appreciated the fact that the stopped and made sure I was ok. It could have been a lifesaver in a different situation

Ross_Mahon · 25-09-2008 10:51PM

Earthhorse wrote: »

Expensive too. Especially if you're the kinda guy who has to walk from town to Tallaght.

Your right there boss, I cant be eating expensive food or getting taxis with the recession in place!

25-09-2008 11:05PM

Actually, I was driving to work one day and the car in front of me was stopped and I noticed the woman pulling her unconcious child out of the car, I jumped out and rang a ambulance - nothing too odd there, but when the ambulance came I told the woman to go with her son and I'd drive her car to the hospital, crumlin, then I realised I had nowhere to leave my car and convinced a lady to let me park in her garden, so off I popped up to crumlin, sobbing crying cos I thought the kid was dead (he had just fainted) and when I arrived the ambulance had never come here, had to wait ages to find out that they decided to go to temple st. Then realised I'd no way of getting back to my car! I honestly, honestly thought that this was a perfectly normal thing to do, but when I was telling my friends what happened they thought I was a freak!
oh my god, Im such a poxy do gooder, seriously, I can't be dealing with thinking people aren't ok! I'm the type to pick you up at the bus stop if there's thunder and lightening, although Mr Whoops has warned me not to do that

And with a few drinks on me I'm brutal, making sure everyone is ok and not letting girls leave nightclubs on their own incase they get raped or summit, trying to stop fights, my friend keeps telling me I can't change the world, but when I'm drunk, I'm like, eh, yeh I can, why can't I!
oh f**k I'm so sad aren't I?
So yes, the answer is, yes, I would ask someone if they're ok, haven't been told to piddle off yet! (sorry went a tad off subject there)

25-09-2008 11:13PM

Yes I have, earlier in the year I was on a bus when one of the passengers tried to attack the driver. When I was getting off I asked him if he was ok, I wasn't the only one who did either. It really opened me up to the crap bus drivers have to deal with when they're only doing their job.

Earthhorse · 25-09-2008 11:33PM

javaboy wrote: »

It's "you're" not "your". "You're" is a contraction of "you are". I wouldn't normally correct that kind of mistake but after the unprovoked attacks on my manhood earlier, I've had to resort to cheap digs.

I know. Five minutes into my meeting I was thinking "I spelt it 'your', didn't I? He's not going to let that one go". Sorry you had to move house just to accomodate my gags.

javaboy wrote: »

Don't start that 'random' crap again.

Oh no, the doctor says that's all cleared up now.

Dord · 25-09-2008 11:47PM

Yeah I have once or twice. You've gotta be careful though.

truecrippler · 25-09-2008 11:59PM

He's probably pissed off cleaning the toilets in McDonalds on Grafton Street. I heard its a **** job.

javaboy · 26-09-2008 01:18PM

Earthhorse wrote: »

Sorry you had to move house just to accomodate my gags.

Good one :rolleyes:

luckat · 26-09-2008 06:18PM

Times beyond counting.

One that still baffles me, though: I was driving on the Stillorgan dual carriageway (which probably has some R or N number, but I can never remember those), and set to turn right. The car in front of me didn't move. And didn't move. And didn't move.

Finally the door opened and a woman got out and stood there, staring blindly around her.

I got out and went up to her and said "Are you all right, pet?" and she burst into tears, so I put my arms around her. She muttered that she was having a panic attack.

We were like that for around five or ten minutes when another car screeched to a halt and two grim-looking guys got out. "It's all right," I said. "She's just having a panic attack."

"We're neighbours," said one, in an icy tone.

One of them called her by name, and she let go of me and stood there like a zombie. He persuaded her to get into his car, and I said: "Her handbag, she'll need that - and would you like me to follow you in her car?"

They turned around and GLARED at me. So I effed off with myself.

I'm still wondering, ohh, ten or fifteen years later, what happened.

S.I.R · 26-09-2008 07:29PM

whiskeyman wrote: »

Was on bus home last night, when this guy, same age as myself , gets on. He was just wearing jeans and t-shirt and carrying an old sports bag. He didn't look homeless or rough, but he looked worn down and worn out.
He shuffled slowly toward his seat, and carefully sat down... he looked genuinely in shock or as if dealing with so many bad thoughts in his head.
Even his head was stooped low, as if to avoid all contact.
His movement was slow, and he had his head resting on his arm for most of the journey... occasionally looking up for his stop.
It's hard to describe, but I've never seen anyone so down and shaken by something.
I was going to ask him if he was ok, but he then got up and got off the bus before I had built up the courage to ask him.

When I thought back, I wasn't sure what would have happened if I asked him?
He could have told me to 'GTFO!', or 'mind you own business'... or it could have been exactly what he needed... someone to talk to... but I don't even know him! It's been playing on my mind all day. I wish I could have helped him... not that I even know anything big was wrong??

I know AH is probably the worst place to post this, but I just wonder would anyone, or has anyone, actually been in a similar position and asked if a stranger was ok?
What happened next?

Oh, and minus points for 'yeah, I asked yore ma if she was ok last night!!' shhhwwwweeerrr!!!'

the last person who asked if i was ok on a bus tryed to mug me - i dont care for much generousity.

but hey some people can be helped, some just wont, meh, thats life.

*adele* · 27-09-2008 10:55AM

javaboy wrote: »

Good one :rolleyes:

Take your bitch fight elsewhere.

javaboy · 27-09-2008 12:37PM

*adele* wrote: »

Take your bitch fight elsewhere.

Hehe. Joke's on you. Me and Eart'hoss are actually lovers in real life. See he thanked my post and everything.

Crumble Froo · 27-09-2008 01:48PM

a couple of times, yeah, usually on the bus/at bustops, and once twas a homeless guy up by steven's green, who i'd noticed a fair few times on the way to work, but who was crying this one day, and i just couldn't not go over. he was a really nice guy, a combo of **** circumstances and bad decisions had kinda fecked him over, but he thanked me so much for giving a **** to come talk. twas quite odd, in a way.

and i've been asked a few times. my job circumstances for a while meant that i didnt get to sleep at home for a couple of weeks at a time, so i usually ended up grabbing a few hours kip on public transport/on the street/stevens green during the day, and i honestly couldnt count the amount of times someone came over and woke me up to ask me if i was ok. i was generally polite but annoyed, cos i really didnt get a lot of time to sleep back then. one weekend though, this chick who was letting me live with her died, in circumstances that wouldnt have happened if i'd not been in the picture, and i found myself mourning and homeless at the same time, and the weather was absolutely miserable, i can remember three people at various points that weekend asking me if i was ok, and i just nodded and said no and kept walking.

*adele* · 27-09-2008 02:38PM

javaboy wrote: »

Hehe. Joke's on you. Me and Eart'hoss are actually lovers in real life. See he thanked my post and everything.

Lets call it a lovers tiff then.

Ever went up to a random stranger and asked if they were ok?

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