The Times In Which We Live

Family moved in nearby, met the parents, but not their kids; just seen them around. Boy about 12, girl bit younger. Drove past the boy trudging up a hill in the rain, and had a qick thought about stopping to offer a ride. In the past, I'd think I was being a jerk for leaving the kid to walk, and neighbourly for offering a ride. Now, unfortunately, I had to wonder if I might be accused of something for stopping. Even worse, if he actually got in the car, and later made an accusation. Would never even think about offering the girl a ride. Left the kid to walk. Made me sad I had to think that way.

Cock Throppled said: Family moved in nearby, met the parents, but not their kids; just seen them around. Boy about 12, girl bit younger. Drove past the boy trudging up a hill in the rain, and had a qick thought about stopping to offer a ride. In the past, I'd think I was being a jerk for leaving the kid to walk, and neighbourly for offering a ride. Now, unfortunately, I had to wonder if I might be accused of something for stopping. Even worse, if he actually got in the car, and later made an accusation. Would never even think about offering the girl a ride. Left the kid to walk. Made me sad I had to think that way. Click to expand... No I think you should go with your first thought, help out. It depends on what the kid is wearing (eg a jacket or t-shirt)and how far they have to travel. When dropping the kid off, stop and talk to the parents. In the meantime put your phone on record to keep yourself safe. In a diary write down what happen. These can be used in your defense should shit pop up. Whatever happened to the neightbourhood bbq...

Cock Throppled said: Family moved in nearby, met the parents, but not their kids; just seen them around. Boy about 12, girl bit younger. Drove past the boy trudging up a hill in the rain, and had a qick thought about stopping to offer a ride. In the past, I'd think I was being a jerk for leaving the kid to walk, and neighbourly for offering a ride. Now, unfortunately, I had to wonder if I might be accused of something for stopping. Even worse, if he actually got in the car, and later made an accusation. Would never even think about offering the girl a ride. Left the kid to walk. Made me sad I had to think that way. Click to expand... Kid won't die from getting wet. Kid could die from accepting a ride from some guy whose intentions aren't as good as yours. Things are different today for very good reasons. And lots of us as kids had to walk everywhere. It made me, for one, appreciate when I could take a bus.

I completely ignore other people's kids unless they engage with me first, or if they are harassing my kids, or if they are in danger. Too many dumb fucks out there who will start recording you with their phones, eager to make up a story and blast you on Facebook.

80watts said: No I think you should go with your first thought, help out. It depends on what the kid is wearing (eg a jacket or t-shirt)and how far they have to travel. When dropping the kid off, stop and talk to the parents. In the meantime put your phone on record to keep yourself safe. In a diary write down what happen. These can be used in your defense should shit pop up. Whatever happened to the neightbourhood bbq... Click to expand... Completely ignore this 'advice'. Recording the whole encounter means almost nothing today. Even proving nothing happened doesn't stop someone from totally destroying your name/reputation. If you're earning money in any way that can disappear quickly thanks to social media. Suddenly you're the "creepy neighbour" approaching kids. If he's in trouble/ injured etc. then it's a different story. From the kid's perspective (you said you've never met him, just saw him around) you're some random guy in a car stopping. In all likelihood his parents have told him to avoid that exact situation. Sometimes being a good neighbour means minding your own business.

Larry's Torch said: Completely ignore this 'advice'. Recording the whole encounter means almost nothing today. Even proving nothing happened doesn't stop someone from totally destroying your name/reputation. If you're earning money in any way that can disappear quickly thanks to social media. Suddenly you're the "creepy neighbour" approaching kids. If he's in trouble/ injured etc. then it's a different story. From the kid's perspective (you said you've never met him, just saw him around) you're some random guy in a car stopping. In all likelihood his parents have told him to avoid that exact situation. Sometimes being a good neighbour means minding your own business. Click to expand... Should have mentioned we've never been introduced, but we know we're each other's neighbour. They see me in the yard, as I see them in their yard, and when we drive out, so I'm not some rando.

Cock Throppled said: Should have mentioned we've never been introduced, but we know we're each other's neighbour. They see me in the yard, as I see them in their yard, and when we drive out, so I'm not some rando. Click to expand... Well, that does clarify things. Still, I wouldn't feel bad about not stopping. Things are so different today.

Growing up in small town Alberta, it was expected to give folks a ride if they were walking in the rain, or at least offer. Just as it was expected to look out for one another whatever was happening. There is a difference in minding ones business and being a douche for not lending a hand when that is the right thing to do. But fast forward to today. Not just offering to help kids because all of a sudden you get accused of being a pedo. But a guy is barely allowed tell a good looking women just how good looking she is standing there in the cucumber section of the local Buy Low. I mean she probably thinks she's getting hit on!

Decades ago, I was working out of a small town in Alberta. I think it was Hinton. Staying in a motel. I stepped out for dinner, it was about -30 and snowing. Across the highway were 2 teenage girls, walking and totally not dressed for the weather. Miniskirt and a light top. They stared at me as I drove by, my instinct was to ignore them and keep driving. But I realized the weather was not forgiving. I turned around and pulled over where they were. Rolled down my windows to ask if they were okay. They immediately jumped into my truck. They were shivering, close to frostbite. I commented on how they need to dress for the weather, dropped them home. I would normally never interact with young girls, or guys, but sometimes you have to when you see a complete lack of common sense. They could have died if they had tried to walk all the way home in that weather.