Chivalry is dead

[HMFIC]

Last time I stopped to help someone was an old lady in a Lincoln Town Car, who had a flat tire. I approached her window (in broad daylight, on the side of a fairly busy county road), and she cracked it ever so slightly.

"Hello ma'am. I see you have a flat tire. Would you like some help?"

"Mm hmm." (eyes straight ahead, hands gripping steering wheel tightly, no other response)

"Uh... you want help? Want me to change the tire for you?"

"Mm hmm."

"Uh, OK - can you pop your trunk, please?"

"Mm hmm." [quickly reaching down to pop trunk]

I got out her spare tire and jack set, and changed the tire in about 5 minutes. When I was done, I put the flat tire and jack set back into her trunk and closed the lid. Then I went around to her window:

"OK ma'am, you're all set. You'll want to take that tire to a tire shop and have it repaired."

"Mm hmm." [rolls up window, starts car, and drives off, leaving me standing there with a surprised look on my face]

Good on ya.

She might have been related to the Crash Test Dummies?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuPiBZHvLE

 

[okieboomer1]

" Chivalry is dead " Speak for your self...I've changed plenty of tires, give up my seat, etc... for those in need...it ain't dead, just difficult to find at times.

 

[Blinocac200sx]

Man, when my wife had a flat, she called me, and I beat a path to her, but by the time I got there, she'd already gotten 3 after one guy was already helping her.

 

[RidgeHunter]

That's a bit odd, I usually never stop because someone else already has. Every time I've been stranded I have to turn away multiple offers for help. We had some big floods once, and I drove out to take pictures of the creeks. I'd be walking down the road from where I parked and every single person would stop and offer me a ride/phone/or to bring me some gas. (had a brand new truck, I guess they assumed I ran out of gas).

I saw a really hawt girl just getting out of her car after a blowout 169 just south of Owasso one summer day, right near an exit. I pulled around to help her, and 3 guys had already stopped and were RUNNING to help this chick. I mean it hadn't even been 30-45 seconds. It was hilarious.

I don't think chivalry is dead but in todays society probably 50% of men can't change a flat and for women I'm sure it's around 85%. So most passerbies don't have the means or knowledge. AAA is fairly reasonable.

Some dopey kid and his girlfriend got a flat in front of our house when I was 12-13. After watching him struggle with it for 20 minutes, I walked out and convinced him to let me try. After turning the wrench...counterclockwise...they broke free with little effort. I think I said something like "you must not have been holding your mouth right."

I do pass up some people. I'm not afraid of people, or paranoid...but I'd like to think I have pretty good judgment on who to help and who to pass by.

Towncar lady was a jerk. That's unbelievable. Maybe that's why people don't care about helping people. The last guy to help me (pulled me from a drift after a county snowplow forced me off the road) got a thank you and $20 for his trouble. People are so ungrateful and rude.

 

[soonersfan]

Last time I had a flat I was using a rented truck and horse trailer. The trailer got the flat. I discovered the rented truck had no jack and no lug wrench. An OK Highway Patrolman stopped and not only supplied me with the tools I needed, but did most of the work changing the tire. I wrote his name down so I could send a thank you note, but somehow that scrap of paper got lost.

So, I owe OHP a debt, if I ever see one of those guys in need I'll help 'em out for sure.

I have never seen OHP pass a stranded motorist. I've never seen a city cop stop and help a stranded motorist.

 

[NathanGraham]

Yes it is, and it is a sad state of affairs....

 

[BluRaySS]

I used to stop for everyone. I have to say seeing these two on the side of the road I no doubt would have. Aside from situations like these though I don't stop anymore. It's sick and sad both. I have seen and heard of too many people killed or attacked by those they stop to help. Once again the few ruining it for the many. Guess this time it is my fault for following suite.

There was also a rash of people being killed by other drivers not paying attention while helping others around here not long ago. That concerns me less for some reason. Not really logical.

 

[n423]

" Chivalry is dead " Speak for your self...I've changed plenty of tires, give up my seat, etc... for those in need...it ain't dead, just difficult to find at times.

This ^^^^^^^^^ and open doors for women all the time. I have helped lots of people on the road in the past.

 

[BadgeBunny]

I don't stop anymore but I do ALWAYS call 911 and report that a motorist needs assistance.

 

[Danny Tanner]

Every time I've been stranded I have to turn away multiple offers for help.

Dressing like this, can you blame them?