Pay It Forward

[ApostateAbe]

One time at an event with my Karate class, my sensei gave me one of his expensive uniforms. He said he was giving it to me because the one I was wearing was yellowed, ripped, and ratty-looking, and also because of a principle in his old school in which you pay a favor forward instead of paying it back. After he saw the movie "Pay It Forward," he said it represented what was already practiced in his school.

So that night, I ran out of gas on my way home because I had a broken gas gauge. I got out and pushed my car off to the side. Immediately, this guy in a pickup pulled over to help. He took me to gas station so that I could buy some gas and he took me back to my car. That saved me a lot of jogging. Along the way, he told me that he once helped a family that ran out of gas on the road and he got a $500 ticket from an asshole cop because he was parked on the road facing the wrong direction, and he was about to go to court over it. I was taken aback by his willingness to do the same thing again in such a circumstance (he again parked on the road and a sheriff passed us).

I often see people off the side of the road with their hazard lights on. They have a flat tire. They have engine trouble. They are out of gas. They got in a wreck. I would like to help those people out, and I would like to be prepared to help them out. What can I do to help? I have a cell phone, I carry a spare gallon of gas. It would be a good idea to have a pair of jumper cables, too. What else can I do? What can I do if someone has a flat, for example? Carry a car jack and a wrench? I would like to be more able to pay forward the favors that have been paid to me.

[lady cop]

sorry about the asshole cop....it is commendable of course to be good samaritans in this life...i know i tried to do so since i was a little girl, there was some sense of robin hood in me even then :robin2: ...but sadly i now discourage the public from stopping to assist total strangers...it's just too damned dangerous. it's often a bait and trap to rob. or worse. use your phone, notify highway patrol...that is the best thing you can do for them if they are legit, and for your safety. please take this advice. :ladycop:...there are other ways to pay it forward...i know people here can enumerate them...here's one...visit a nursing home and show affection to a very elderly lonely person. just a suggestion, don't mean to tell anyone what to do.

[ApostateAbe]

sorry about the asshole cop....it is commendable of course to be good samaritans in this life...i know i tried to do so since i was a little girl, there was some sense of robin hood in me even then :robin2: ...but sadly i now discourage the public from stopping to assist total strangers...it's just too damned dangerous. it's often a bait and trap to rob. or worse. use your phone, notify highway patrol...that is the best thing you can do for them if they are legit, and for your safety. please take this advice. :ladycop:...there are other ways to pay it forward...i know people here can enumerate them...here's one...visit a nursing home and show affection to a very elderly lonely person. just a suggestion, don't mean to tell anyone what to do.It is a risk I'm willing to take. I have martial arts experience, and I am not female. I might carry a handgun if it is really that dangerous to try to help someone on the side of the road.

[lisarea]

Well, if you insist: a warm blanket, water (probably a big sealed bottle, so it doesn't stagnate so quickly), and an extra large-size coat are good to have with you, too. (If someone's cold, they won't mind a too-big coat, but it'd suck if it were too small.) You can just get one at a thrift store, and hand it out to the first person who needs it. Thrift store coats cost, like, five bucks. For blankets, you could just get some polar fleece on sale somewhere, cut it into a rectangle, and cut a little fringe onto it by snipping parallel lines all along the edges, so it doesn't unravel. Cheap, easy, and about as warm as it gets. And because they're cheap and easy to replace, you can just hand them out to homeless people and anyone else stuck out in the elements, then go home and restock.

(I'm being a little single minded because it's about three below and I have the window open. Maybe later, I'll close the window and come up with ideas that don't involve being cold.)

[ApostateAbe]

Well, if you insist: a warm blanket, water (probably a big sealed bottle, so it doesn't stagnate so quickly), and an extra large-size coat are good to have with you, too. (If someone's cold, they won't mind a too-big coat, but it'd suck if it were too small.) You can just get one at a thrift store, and hand it out to the first person who needs it. Thrift store coats cost, like, five bucks. For blankets, you could just get some polar fleece on sale somewhere, cut it into a rectangle, and cut a little fringe onto it by snipping parallel lines all along the edges, so it doesn't unravel. Cheap, easy, and about as warm as it gets. And because they're cheap and easy to replace, you can just hand them out to homeless people and anyone else stuck out in the elements, then go home and restock.

(I'm being a little single minded because it's about three below and I have the window open. Maybe later, I'll close the window and come up with ideas that don't involve being cold.)That's a great idea. I already have an extra coat in my car, and I have some extra blankets in my bedroom that I don't use.

[Zoot]

These are great suggestions.

[seebs]

When I was in college, my friend's giant land-yacht car ran out of gas about 5 miles from a gas station. We were unable to push it up the driveway to the gas station, but a woman ran over and helped us. Since then, I always help people push cars. It's pretty easy, and makes them VERY happy.

Once, we found a guy trying to push a car by himself. Not only that, but he had to make a left turn on a busy street! Ye gods. We had three people, and it was no problem; one to block traffic, two to push, him to steer.

[seebs]

BTW, I never saw the movie. My mom always refers to it as the "favor bucket", and the theory is, whenever the cost to you of doing someone a favor is lower than the benefit to them of receiving the favor, you should do it.

Which is why I'm up at 8AM; !*@#!# airline stranded a friend at the airport. (But on the bright side, I got to have pancakes with an old college friend.)

[Sweetie]

Good show, worth watching.

[ApostateAbe]

I don't want anyone to think that I give the film Pay It Forward any critical acclaim. I thought the movie sucked horses because its purpose was to persuade you into doing something benevolent by painting an overly idealistic picture of the world while pretending to be realistic. In the movie, a random homeless guy is homeless because he doesn't have a hundred dollars to buy clothes and groom himself for a job interview. In real life, the typical homeless guy in America is homeless because that is the life he chooses. Nobody is going to guilt me into helping the homeless. There are already too many suckers who think that nobody is more deserving of their financial support than the homeless.

If you want to argue with me about that, then start a different thread. For now, my intention is to learn about how to help people who are stranded at the side of the road. Any more suggestions?

[seebs]

Okay, definitely have some jumper cables around. If you wanna go pro, carry a gas can with a couple of gallons of gas. (There's not many combinations of consumer vehicle and location where two gallons of gas won't get you to a gas station.) A supply of miscellaneous fluids (antifreeze/radiator fluid, for instance) wouldn't hurt either.

Cell phone, of course. The cure-all for nearly everything.

AAA membership. I've used my AAA membership all three times in 2004, only once on my own car.

[ApostateAbe]

Okay, definitely have some jumper cables around. If you wanna go pro, carry a gas can with a couple of gallons of gas. (There's not many combinations of consumer vehicle and location where two gallons of gas won't get you to a gas station.) A supply of miscellaneous fluids (antifreeze/radiator fluid, for instance) wouldn't hurt either.

Cell phone, of course. The cure-all for nearly everything.

AAA membership. I've used my AAA membership all three times in 2004, only once on my own car.Thanks a lot, seebs. You are everyone's hero for good reasons. Do you think it would be enough to call my Dad and use his AAA membership at the time of the event?

[seebs]

Okay, definitely have some jumper cables around. If you wanna go pro, carry a gas can with a couple of gallons of gas. (There's not many combinations of consumer vehicle and location where two gallons of gas won't get you to a gas station.) A supply of miscellaneous fluids (antifreeze/radiator fluid, for instance) wouldn't hurt either.

Cell phone, of course. The cure-all for nearly everything.

AAA membership. I've used my AAA membership all three times in 2004, only once on my own car.Thanks a lot, seebs. You are everyone's hero for good reasons. Do you think it would be enough to call my Dad and use his AAA membership at the time of the event?

I think they demand that a cardholder be present.

BTW, I don't actually do most of this; my tiny little car won't hold that much stuff. Last time someone needed jumper cables, he was conveniently in the parking lot of Target, so I bought him some.

[ApostateAbe]

Okay, definitely have some jumper cables around. If you wanna go pro, carry a gas can with a couple of gallons of gas. (There's not many combinations of consumer vehicle and location where two gallons of gas won't get you to a gas station.) A supply of miscellaneous fluids (antifreeze/radiator fluid, for instance) wouldn't hurt either.

Cell phone, of course. The cure-all for nearly everything.

AAA membership. I've used my AAA membership all three times in 2004, only once on my own car.Thanks a lot, seebs. You are everyone's hero for good reasons. Do you think it would be enough to call my Dad and use his AAA membership at the time of the event?
I think they demand that a cardholder be present.

BTW, I don't actually do most of this; my tiny little car won't hold that much stuff. Last time someone needed jumper cables, he was conveniently in the parking lot of Target, so I bought him some.You are a real boy scout, seebs. I have a tiny car, too. But jumper cables are worth the space because my lights are easily left on. A car jack might be a little more trouble.

[seebs]

You are a real boy scout, seebs. I have a tiny car, too. But jumper cables are worth the space because my lights are easily left on. A car jack might be a little more trouble.

Well, my car's really tiny - Honda Insight.

It has a little mini-jack big enough to lift a car that weighs under a ton, but... If I wanted a real jack, I'd have to make room for it. Although, ironically, my car would have a hell of a time jumping most other people's cars; it does have a 144V Bigass Battery, but its 12V battery system is sorta wussy.

[LadyShea]

I also suggest you carry a flashlight and some flares. People get hit on the side of the road at night because oncoming traffic can't see them so directing traffic around with a flashlight might be prudent.

[Dingfod]

I have a tiny car, too. But jumper cables are worth the space because my lights are easily left on. A car jack might be a little more trouble.You could get some tiny jumper cables (http://www.philatron.com/tinytiger/). I carry one like those in my motorcycle trunk. Yes, you can jump start a car with them, but not with a motorcycle.

How are you carrying that gasoline? I'm not real comfortable with the idea of toting a gallon or two of highly combustible liquid inside of a car on a regular basis.

[Dingfod]

Now this (http://www.bushranger.com.au/xjack.html) is the way to jack up a vehicle:

http://www.bushranger.com.au/exhuastjack/xjack.jpg

[ApostateAbe]

I have a tiny car, too. But jumper cables are worth the space because my lights are easily left on. A car jack might be a little more trouble.You could get some tiny jumper cables (http://www.philatron.com/tinytiger/). I carry one like those in my motorcycle trunk. Yes, you can jump start a car with them, but not with a motorcycle.

How are you carrying that gasoline? I'm not real comfortable with the idea of toting a gallon or two of highly combustible liquid inside of a car on a regular basis.I hadn't thought of that. At first I carried the gasoline inside a plastic tank, and it leaked out a little hole at the top. I think I now have gasoline coating the floor of my trunk. I put the gasoline container in a paper shopping bag to contain the leakage. I think I oughta consider getting a fire extinguisher, and I'll warn anyone who smokes to light up outside my car.

[lady cop]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic, so i will qualify my remarks...if you see someone in need in a well-traveled and populated area, by all means help if you are so inclined. if it is out in the middle of nowhere please just use the phone. let me tell all you kind and goodly samaritans...we have no less than 27 serial killer truck drivers out operating at THIS time and the ruse is break-down. sorry to rain on your parade, but i'd like to save a couple lives.

[Dingfod]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic,...I don't hate you for being a cynic. I love your cynicism. I think it is a survival skill, severely lacking in some people.

[justaman]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic, so i will qualify my remarks...if you see someone in need in a well-traveled and populated area, by all means help if you are so inclined. if it is out in the middle of nowhere please just use the phone. let me tell all you kind and goodly samaritans...we have no less than 27 serial killer truck drivers out operating at THIS time and the ruse is break-down. sorry to rain on your parade, but i'd like to save a couple lives.
Why don't you just catch them already? Cops man.

Hey Abe! Good seeing you again dude.

I've had a small 5 L can full of petrol sitting in the boot of my car for the last two years (I refill of course :P ). Hasn't exploded yet! Petrol really isn't all that volatile as far as combustibles go. I mean really, there isn't anything special about the housing of the petrol in your fuel tank.

How come you're so anti-homeless people anyway? You said you didnt' want to talk about it here, but it's strange that you so strictly limit your charity to people who have ran out of gas. Suggesting that you'll carry a handgun in order to facilitate this, I can't help but find hilarious :P

Ah Australia. Land of no serial killer truck drivers. We should have that on a brochure some place. :D

[viscousmemories]

I don't hate you for being a cynic, lady cop. As it happens I stopped seriously considering helping people stranded on the roadside after seeing Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Now honestly I'm not afraid that I'm going to meet a serial killer given the extremely poor odds of that, but even the risk of simple robbery just isn't worth it to me.

That said, if Abe or anyone else wants to do it I say more power to him. He seems to be aware of the risks and willing to take 'em. :shrug:

I don't have anything to add to the suggestions above though. Water, blankets, jack, gasoline, flares... I can't think of much else a stranded person would need.

[ApostateAbe]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic, so i will qualify my remarks...if you see someone in need in a well-traveled and populated area, by all means help if you are so inclined. if it is out in the middle of nowhere please just use the phone. let me tell all you kind and goodly samaritans...we have no less than 27 serial killer truck drivers out operating at THIS time and the ruse is break-down. sorry to rain on your parade, but i'd like to save a couple lives.I usually travel in busy urban traffic, so I think I'll be OK. Have you ever seen Joy Ride?

[ApostateAbe]

How come you're so anti-homeless people anyway? You said you didnt' want to talk about it here, but it's strange that you so strictly limit your charity to people who have ran out of gas. Suggesting that you'll carry a handgun in order to facilitate this, I can't help but find hilarious :PWelcome to my thread, justaman. Start a thread about why we should starve the homeless, and I'll give a full explanation.

[lady cop]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic, so i will qualify my remarks...if you see someone in need in a well-traveled and populated area, by all means help if you are so inclined. if it is out in the middle of nowhere please just use the phone. let me tell all you kind and goodly samaritans...we have no less than 27 serial killer truck drivers out operating at THIS time and the ruse is break-down. sorry to rain on your parade, but i'd like to save a couple lives.I usually travel in busy urban traffic, so I think I'll be OK. Have you ever seen Joy Ride?
Hello Abe...no i haven't, give me a clue? a guess here...couple terrorizes middle america like charlie starkweather and his girlfriend? ( or was that natural born killers, which i loved!) or blood-lusting serial killer? :D

[ApostateAbe]

ok, everybody hates me for being a cynic, so i will qualify my remarks...if you see someone in need in a well-traveled and populated area, by all means help if you are so inclined. if it is out in the middle of nowhere please just use the phone. let me tell all you kind and goodly samaritans...we have no less than 27 serial killer truck drivers out operating at THIS time and the ruse is break-down. sorry to rain on your parade, but i'd like to save a couple lives.I usually travel in busy urban traffic, so I think I'll be OK. Have you ever seen Joy Ride? Hello Abe...no i haven't, give me a clue? a guess here...couple terrorizes middle america like charlie starkweather and his girlfriend? ( or was that natural born killers, which i loved!) or blood-lusting serial killer? :DThat's right. It is about a serial killing truck driver. Two guys play a cruel prank on a man who turned out to be deranged lunatic, and the rest of the movie is a horrific game of revenge on the highway, in which the only communication between cat and mice is over the truck radios. I saw it with a couple of cult member friends, and we all highly enjoyed it.

[ApostateAbe]

I got most of the things that have been suggested--car jack, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, lug wrench, blanket, and I also got myself a spare tire. I didn't get the miscellaneous fluids that seebs suggested. I don't know what kind to get and I wouldn't know whether or not they are needed even if they are needed at some point. I didn't get the AAA membership either, but I'll look into it.

[ApostateAbe]

So I was driving home at night in the cold. And I almost hit a large steel square storm drain grate in the middle of the lane. I stop the car, turn on the hazard lights, back up, and get out. I don't know how it got there, but this grate is three inches thick and three feet long on each. So I dragged that thing back into the mouth of the catch basin and kicked it into place. Anyone could have hit it, crashed into a tree killing their kids, or careened into a homeless man. So after I thought about that, I changed my mind and dragged it back into the road. Just kidding, I left it in the catch basin.

[Petra]

Now is a very good time to pay it forward through the Red Cross. Give what you can, they need you.