Should we continue being helpful to strangers when some are not so friendly?

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Dallas, Texas
August 5, 2018 12:35pm CST
Sometimes I go out shopping and as I go by those who look like they are having difficulty reaching for something and are apparently disabled, I ask if they need assistance. Usually, in most cases, the stranger is glad to get some help. So for that I continue being helpful to others. But, today I was shopping at a Kroger store and when going outside to find a shopping cart, I saw a courtesy clerk, who was trying to push a row of about 8 shopping carts and seemingly doing it with difficulty. I grabbed the front of the carts and attempted to assist but was met with opposition. The lady pushing the carts insisted she did not want my help. Twice was all it took. The first time I was about to stop helping but when she said it a second time, I realized she was opposing my help. I withdrew my help and let go of the cart and as she struggled to push those carts into the lobby, she was going in at the wrong angle and had even more difficulty trying to turn all of the carts to the left at about a 90 degree angle. For what it was worth, I later finished helping my wife with her shopping and we both walked out together, but as we exited, I noticed that same courtesy clerk in the cart lobby. I looked up at her as I walked out and said to her, "Have a nice day." She seemed non responsive and was looking down at the ground as if ignoring what I was saying. So, I felt like she might be having a bad day or maybe was told not to allow customers to help her. For that reason I understand perfectly. But although I sometimes get rejected for offering help to others, I really think I should continue doing what I feel in my heart is the right thing to do, and that means I must continue to be a helpful person because I know that is what God would expect of me. And every day you will find people who oppose you for whatever personal reasons and will not want help of any kind from you and they may become angry for you trying to help them as they have pride and they have troubles of their own. Don't let it worry you and don't decide to begin acting just the same way as they do, because, to be a better example, continue to be a courteous person to strangers because that is the right thing to do. I know it can be hard at times and sometimes you can get mud in your face, but better to be as good a person as you can, rather than to give in to trying to do to others as only a few do towards you. It's hard sometimes, I know but at the end of the day, you will sleep much better at night.
You can feel a bit lost when someone close to you needs help but doesn’t want to accept it.
11 people like this
13 responses
@dya80dya (33641)
5 Aug 18
You should always help people.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
That is the right answer. You know, I like those right answers best. So far everyone has given good advice and I do really appreciate that. Being appreciative of others is the other side of the good deeds coin.
1 person likes this
@iniaku (2157)
• Indonesia
5 Aug 18
Yes you are doing a right things. We have to always help other people without expecting reward or just"thank you" from them. Just be a good person nomatter what happen
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
That is right. It is our obligation to do good deeds, even if we have to sometimes swallow our pride and eat humble pie.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (35389)
• United States
5 Aug 18
No, never stop helping people, there are far too appreciative people than there are that don't want your help. Yes you will sleep better at night.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
Thanks cold pop.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215722)
• Chile
5 Aug 18
Some people either don´t want to be helped or their job must be done with no help.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
Yep. I would help other courtesy clerks bring in carts when my wife shopped, just to get in some exercise and most of the courtesy clerks at that particular Kroger store were glad I helped them as it was a very hot summer day when I decided to pitch in and help them bring in about 50 or more shopping carts as they looked like they had a special sales day and people were buying groceries by the basket loads.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215722)
• Chile
6 Aug 18
@lookatdesktop There are all sorts of people in this world. At the supermarket there are some boys and girls who help with packaging which are very nice and others that are very rude.
@RasmaSandra (73678)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Aug 18
I think you are a wonderful person to want to help others. I go shopping pushing a four wheel cart. It makes things easier for me except when I have to go upstairs and get through open doors. I always manage to do so on my own and only once I was offered help and someone opened a door for me but even though I said thank you and it was a good thing I felt like I gave the impression I was a helpless person who could not help myself. You see sometimes these kinds of unexplainable feelings also surface so that might make it difficult for some people to accept a helping hand.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
Thank you for your response. Yes, sometimes you can, actually get a false impression that is misinterpreted. Best to be polite in any event. And, it can be hard sometimes to be polite when negative feelings occur.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9883)
• United States
6 Aug 18
Some can be having a bad day and some just are angry at the world or think someone kind wants something. All we can do is our best and hope a smile, giving a dollar they are short, opening a door or other kindness is what they needed to make their day brighter.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
6 Aug 18
I agree.
1 person likes this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
6 Aug 18
What you said is very good. Most people will accept the kind help of others. We can't stop helping people because of a few others don't like it.
@jstory07 (134518)
• Roseburg, Oregon
5 Aug 18
You should always help other people and walk away if they do not want your help.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
Yes, I do both, I try to help but if they don't want it, I walk away but not in a huff.
@LeaPea2417 (36496)
• Toccoa, Georgia
6 Aug 18
Yes, we should always try to help a person.
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
6 Aug 18
I don't care how many people refuse my help I'll still keep asking if I can help!! Ironically, old people are the worst to accept help when they obviously need it--a lot of pride involved!! LOL
6 Aug 18
So I am not the only one who believes we should do everything as unto God and not unto men. Irrespective of their responses, keep on doing it as if it were unto God. You just made my day.
@Ladanger (14582)
• United States
5 Aug 18
Some people especially those who may have had an accident and are trying to learn how to do things on there own sometimes don't want to feel vulnerable and rather do things them selves . I know this because I go to therapy for anxiety and some people at the hospital can barely walk and never want help because they are trying to learn yo become independent again.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
5 Aug 18
Good point. Yep. I know about this as I too go to therapy and see people on walkers, using canes and in wheel chairs to get around. I once watched as an elderly lady, in her 90's with a walker, conducting business in a Bank where I do business. She was a frail woman and yet she maintained her stance and showed that she would not be dependent on anyone. God bless that lady. She was adorable.
@stacy31 (157)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Aug 18
At times it is what they have underwent that makes them not to accept help. It is good to first ask if you can help so as not to get embarrassed.