quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Anyone who can point to where they live can also walk there.

This.

Odds are heavily favored that he was up to no good.

“I live right over there..” then walk. I’d walk 10 miles before I asked a stranger for a ride.

Reminds me of a meme I saw recently.

Guy picks up a hitchhiker and when they get down the road a bit the passenger asks:

Aren't you concerned I might be a serial killer?

Driver responds:

No, because the odds of two serial killers being in the same car is highly unlikely.

"Would you like me to call a locksmith for you? Or a taxi?"

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
"Would you like me to call a locksmith for you? Or a taxi?"

Or the coroner?

No one gets close to me in parking lots if I see them coming. I tell them to stop and stay away or to get back.

If they get up close I make it very clear to get away and that I’m not interested in anything. At all.

I would not have opened my window. Otherwise, you seem to have followed your instincts well.

Your actions seemed prudent to me. Even if he wasn't setting you up for a potential car jacking, it sounds like just one more riff on a typical panhandler story.

Based on some of the replies here, most of you guys are lucky to survive the walk from your car to your front door with it being such a dangerous world and all.

There are certainly some situations, in some places, at some times that could clearly be some sort of set up and best to be avoided. That said, I have helped countless strangers who found themselves in need, in the hopes that if one of my family member or friend finds themselves in a similar situation, somebody will be there to help them.

I'm not picking up hitchhikers, I'm not giving panhandlers money, but if I see somebody trying to change a tire, unlock a car, or has other issues, I will always offer to help if my situation allows it.

quote:

I left. Was I being too cautious? Rude?

Thoughts?

I watched an episode of Laura Ingram's show last night. Every thing she said was spot on - until she closed it out by saying something about the "inherent goodness of mankind."

I thought to myself, "No. Man is most certainly NOT inherently good." Only someone who was born and raised in a culture that has been highly influenced by the teachings of Jesus Christ could ever view man as inherently good. And, even then, it would require a certain amount of ignorance to not recognize how men of other cultures are not good. I'm thinking about folks like the couple who thought they could go to Middle Eastern countries and be treated just as well as they would here in the States - only to be murdered.

I think you were smart in how you handled the situation.

A1abdj.
Those that are up on age, those with physical limitations ,those with mental concerns and especially those that have financial concerns have way different perspectives than those that don't.

quote:

I'm not picking up hitchhikers, I'm not giving panhandlers money,

Neither did George, I've offered help to many, and pay it forward, however I'd tell my 80 year old father to just be a curmudgeon and tell them to piss off..

Lots of people target the elderly especially here in FL and doing this is exactly how you continue to survive, especially in larger metro areas...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is correct Bendable. You left out one part though. If you grew up in an urban environment in a large Northern city, you learned NOT to interact with others because you could get hurt. The opposite is true if you grew up in a small town in Iowa. Completely different mind sets. Parenting plays a big role as well.

quote:

Completely different mind sets.

LOL agree wholeheartedly, that went through my mind right after I hit the post now button,

You did what you felt you had to do. It was your decision and it was a good one.

quote:

Originally posted by synthplayer:
"No. Man is most certainly NOT inherently good."

Far from it. As can be seen in current events, the only thing that keeps a large number of people in line is the fear of being caught and punished for preying on their fellow man, and when the threat of justice is removed, that inner nature spills out.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Anyone who can point to where they live can also walk there.

This.

Odds are heavily favored that he was up to no good.

That is the issue. Heavily favored that he could or should walk there. Also strongly favored that he was going to try and take advantage of you.

quote:

I left. Was I being too cautious? Rude?

Nope. You never know now days.

"No habla inglés"
If they start speaking Spanish:
"Sorry, I don't speak Spanish either."

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Based on some of the replies here, most of you guys are lucky to survive the walk from your car to your front door with it being such a dangerous world and all.

There are certainly some situations, in some places, at some times that could clearly be some sort of set up and best to be avoided. That said, I have helped countless strangers who found themselves in need, in the hopes that if one of my family member or friend finds themselves in a similar situation, somebody will be there to help them.

I'm not picking up hitchhikers, I'm not giving panhandlers money, but if I see somebody trying to change a tire, unlock a car, or has other issues, I will always offer to help if my situation allows it.

Based on the first line of response, none of us should be carrying guns. There's a close to 100% chance we'll never need them.

Allow me to further qualify my above post. I'm not talking about being paranoid or freaking out when people try to engage. But there's a right way and a wrong way. If I need to engage, I approach in such a way as not to surprise, from angles I can be seen at a reasonable distance, and I announce myself. I do not just walk up to someone I don't know. And someone walking up to me in a parking lot that I don't know, as mentioned- there is almost no chance there is legitimate business at hand.

If I see someone who clearly needs help, depending on other surroundings and circumstances, I may help. But it depends on a lot of things. Many times people say they need help, but in reality they don't.

quote:

Originally posted by George43:

He said "I've locked myself out of my car, can you give me a lift? I live right over there".

Thoughts?

Your best thought was AMFYOYO.

The guy didn't get in your car and possibly try something stupid.

You don't have to shop for a matching door panel for your car.