Don't help, it's a trap?

[Quaidis]

Unless she subsequently got your friend's ID card, phone number, or address, there really isn't any way for a random stranger to sue you for something that randomly happens on some random street. This isn't like doing CPR on someone without your First Aid Graduate card and getting sued because you accidentally broke a few of their ribs while saving their life. Even then, your friend could have given up his handkerchief and acquired a new one. Or you could simply accept that, since he didn't have disposable tissue on him, he did not have to feel obligated to relinquish his personal handkerchief.

Let me put it this way: if this strange unknown woman somehow gave your friend a disease then went around to finding exactly who he was and pressuring to sue him for giving it to her, she still would have little ground for Just Cause due to the random elements involved. She would have to have proof that previous blood tests during her annual doctor visits showed that she was negative of such a disease (and if she didn't see the doctor at all prior, there would be no grounds to sue) prior to her encounter with your friend. Your friend would have to show similar, which is why I highly recommend everyone sees a doctor for a harmless checkup once a year. Even if the evidence (the tissue) were proven to be infected, it could not be used as evidence unless there was followup proof that one of you had the disease previous to the tissue incident. And even then it could be dismissible due to 'other factors' that would have caused the disease, which a lawyer with any sense would bring up.

This is leaving out the fact that you need money in order to hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit. A homeless person would not.

Yes, the dumbest lawsuits in the world happen, but commonsense and a little knowledge on legalities can go a long way.

 

[Fenring]

I always give spare change to the homeless, so no.

 

[Rolling 20]

I try to help people as much as I can. However, when it comes to icky things or things that my over-active imagination finds suspicious for stupid reasons...well then to quote the Admiral himself...

"It's a trap!!"

 

[Neosage]

Well once this girl said "Excuse me please can you let me past" (she was like 6) To my amazement I actually moved. I feel I am becoming far too soft on the mortals.

 

[ffxfriek]

I don't help. People aren't to be trusted.

i too....learned that one the hard way

 

[Yami Blade]

Wow I guess I am pretty naive then. I usually help when I can but if I have a personal hate for someone, which is usually because they are mean to everyone, I won't want to

 

[MrGFunk]

Do you go through similar thought processes when you see someone in need of help?

If people ask for help, I give it.
If I think people need help, I offer it. It's got me in trouble a few times but I treat people how I want to be treated.

Spread the positivity.

 

[matrix3509]

also, there is a profound difference between a handkerchief and a tissue. What if your friend had already used it that day? Would you still press him to offer it? Yeah I would give out a tissue if I had one, but not a handkerchief as its mine and I'm not gonna let someone else other than me blow their nose in it.

Plus, its not that hard to find a freaking tissue. Seriously, they're everywhere.

 

[wordsmith]

The real question is:

Even though you know it's a trap, do you still hit it anyway?

 

[Kikosemmek]

Altruism is a principle, to me. I help in hopes of brightening up people's days, and to, at least personally, make a change. I think the world needs a bit more kindness and comradrie. I think it's a shame we don't consider people on the street as part of a community, worthy of our help and appreciation. I think the system which supports mistrust and indifference to suffering is a scam.

I don't blame people for selfishness or choosing not to help. I merely disagree.

 

[hypothetical fact]

If someone asks me for something I point them to the scouts code of "always be prepared." By not helping they will understand their mistake and seek to prevent it next time rather than relying on the charity of others.
Just another public service I offer.

 

[samsprinkle]

I am fortunate enough to live in the UK.

Here people thank you for helping them, it's something I rather like about my country.

REALLY!? I'm moving there. Here in this hellhole of a country(see U.S.) you can't do anything without someone throwing a fit...

 

[Higurashi]

Nope. If I can help, I do it. I'm not worth any more than others, and so it is mu duty to do all I can for others. Also, seeing I can do good for someone else rewards me as well.
In the case you presented, I might as well say I don't care or worry about contracting anything anyway.

 

[sequio]

also, there is a profound difference between a handkerchief and a tissue. What if your friend had already used it that day? Would you still press him to offer it? Yeah I would give out a tissue if I had one, but not a handkerchief as its mine and I'm not gonna let someone else other than me blow their nose in it.

Plus, its not that hard to find a freaking tissue. Seriously, they're everywhere.

I guess he could have said that he used it already therefore cannot offer and I would have been okay, but that wasn't the reason he gave.

 

[sequio]

So the majority opinion seems to be to help with a "caveat emptor" mentality; help and take it like a man if it turns bad.

 

[Veekter]

I don't help. People aren't to be trusted.

amen to that

 

[Top Dollar]

What, why would you share a hanky, what's wrong with you? Give out tissues, sure.
I would give a tissue if I had more than one. I think it's pretty paranoid if you're scared someone's going to sue you for giving them something. Isn't that one of those urban legends like the woman putting her cat in the microwave and suing?

 

[Kevvers]

Sure you should 'help' if you want to play the good samaratan and all that, but lending someone else a hanky is just gross. If I had asked someone for a tissue, and they said "No, but you can borrow my hanky" I'd think theyre were weird. Hankies are gross anyway, as you are basically carrying around all the germs with you instead of throwing it away as you would a tissue.

I am fortunate enough to live in the UK.

Here people thank you for helping them, it's something I rather like about my country.

Wow thats sanctimonious, apparently another trait of us English is to think were a cut above our 'boorish American cousins'.