Helping Someone Out (1 Viewer)

bringbackrattles

Well-Known Member
Last night I was having a pint in town sat outside the pub. A bloke I hadn't seen around for a while walked past so I said how are you doing ? He looked depressed and different from what he used to be like, and he said he was living in a hostel, after losing his job and home. He never asked for money but I said do you want a beer ? He said yes cheers, so he sat and said was I watching the game ? He is a football fan so I said come and watch it in the pub I'm going to if you want ? He had no money but I bought him a couple of pints, and he watched the game and he said he felt great. He shook my hand at the end and said thanks. I felt good about that as who knows that could be me anytime as we don't know what can happen.
Have you helped someone out unexpectedly ?
 

olderskyblue

Well-Known Member
My father in law was on his way to the south coast on holiday, when he stopped mid journey for a pint or two. They sat outside, and the car next to him was having trouble starting, so he stood up, asked the guy if he needed help, and then proceeded to take charge (the guy was just staring at the engine, he hadn't a clue) He checked and cleaned the plugs, stripped the carbs down as much as he could, cleaned and rebuilt them. Checked there was a sparc to the plugs etc etc. He worked on it an hour or so, then got it going.

The owner told his wife to get in as they were now late, and just drove off...!! not a thank you, or here's a pint. nothing. He wished he hadn't bothered. :emoji_grin:
 

vow

Well-Known Member
Last night I was having a pint in town sat outside the pub. A bloke I hadn't seen around for a while walked past so I said how are you doing ? He looked depressed and different from what he used to be like, and he said he was living in a hostel, after losing his job and home. He never asked for money but I said do you want a beer ? He said yes cheers, so he sat and said was I watching the game ? He is a football fan so I said come and watch it in the pub I'm going to if you want ? He had no money but I bought him a couple of pints, and he watched the game and he said he felt great. He shook my hand at the end and said thanks. I felt good about that as who knows that could be me anytime as we don't know what can happen.
Have you helped someone out unexpectedly ?
Do a lot for charidee, but don't like to talk about it......Lets rock!
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
I'm still doing my weekly charitable town centre help out. ;)

On Tuesday I was in town and a foreign teacher with a load of teenage students came up to me (as I keep saying, I just have one of those faces) and asked if I could tell her where she would find 'Lady Godeeva statue.'

I told her she was standing right underneath it. Cue lots of gigles from her students. She could have literally extended her arm a tiny way away from her body and she would have been touching it.

I really did Coventry proud then too when she asked about the clock and Peeping Tom and I told her not to bother.

Did everyone a favour there.

I then saw a German family who seemed to be struggling and I went over and asked if I could help. They had apparently left a coat on a National Express bus somewhere.

Then I came across some teenagers trying to collect money for Love Coventry, which I had never heard of. It's a charity that specifically helps out Coventry families and people, so had a long chat with them and gave them some money, which left me completely broke.

Had to Google them when I got home, because I honestly had never heard of them.

If they can help homeless people in any way then that can only be a very good thing.
 
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Nick

Administrator
Last time we went shopping we let my daughter carry her own basket to fill up for the food bank that were collecting by the entrance. Halfway round she was trying to get the most expensive of everything so had to reign her in a little bit else we would have been donating better food than we were buying.

Still, it made her realise that not every kid is as lucky as her and she was happy that a family would have nice teas for a week that she picked.
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

Well-Known Member
The 2 that stand out for me
1. About 10 years ago coming back from Brum in the train I was changing at New St in rush hour, off one train escalators not working bottom of the steps this old lady 70’s massive suitcase she’s stood there with a look of how am I getting this up there.
People rushing past I say “excuse me would you like me to carry your case to the top for you!?” She goes on a massive rant telling me to get away from her and effectively F off, I was stunned replied with “i’ll Leave it with you then!”

Then about a month ago I finished my lunch in the cathedral walked up the path towards ‘Slug and lettuce’ (old establishment) as I’m walking I see a lady late 60’s trying to get this guy up the steps he had a stick and was really not steady on his feet, groups of blokes walking past almost stopping to watch the guy tried to use a plant outside to pull himself up couldn’t I asked them can I give you a hand both really greatful, this guy was about 20 stone he leans on me and I some how carry him up the steps (Good deed done but I’ve twinged something in my top of thigh almost hip still hurts now!)

The amount of people that walk on by when somebody needs a hand is staggering!
 

Nick

Administrator
I was stood behind this old lady in Asda earlier her shopping came to £51.80, she only had £50 on her no card, so I helped her put all her shopping back!

On a serious note. I was in the shop a few weeks ago and I saw a kid of about 10 who had been sent by his mum ask for £1 electric and £2 gas and he pulled out a bag of pennies and 10ps and scrambled to pay for it. I was tempted to just say stick a fiver on each and I'll get it....

That was until he went and bought 2 big bottles of coke and spent more on Fizzy crap than he had on gas and electricity and I thought they should be sorting their priorities out.
 

Nick

Administrator
The 2 that stand out for me
1. About 10 years ago coming back from Brum in the train I was changing at New St in rush hour, off one train escalators not working bottom of the steps this old lady 70’s massive suitcase she’s stood there with a look of how am I getting this up there.
People rushing past I say “excuse me would you like me to carry your case to the top for you!?” She goes on a massive rant telling me to get away from her and effectively F off, I was stunned replied with “i’ll Leave it with you then!”

Then about a month ago I finished my lunch in the cathedral walked up the path towards ‘Slug and lettuce’ (old establishment) as I’m walking I see a lady late 60’s trying to get this guy up the steps he had a stick and was really not steady on his feet, groups of blokes walking past almost stopping to watch the guy tried to use a plant outside to pull himself up couldn’t I asked them can I give you a hand both really greatful, this guy was about 20 stone he leans on me and I some how carry him up the steps (Good deed done but I’ve twinged something in my top of thigh almost hip still hurts now!)

The amount of people that walk on by when somebody needs a hand is staggering!

Thing the thing is now it's more awkward to offer help (like in your first example). Remember as a kid my mum bought a homeless bloke something from McDonalds and he turned his nose up and said that he wanted money and not food. Has made me sceptical every since with things like that.

With humans too many are deceptive nowadays but me and the wife have found about 4 dogs roaming the street and have spent hours knocking doors to see who owns it, took one to the vets to get it scanned so they could phone the owners and took one to the council place and left notes in every shop so if somebody went in looking for their dog they knew where it was.

It's the same with kids on their own, would as a bloke on my own would I want to approach a kid on their own? It's OK if with family but on my own I would be very wary with something like that (which is wrong I know).
 

Sick Boy

Well-Known Member
Last night I was having a pint in town sat outside the pub. A bloke I hadn't seen around for a while walked past so I said how are you doing ? He looked depressed and different from what he used to be like, and he said he was living in a hostel, after losing his job and home. He never asked for money but I said do you want a beer ? He said yes cheers, so he sat and said was I watching the game ? He is a football fan so I said come and watch it in the pub I'm going to if you want ? He had no money but I bought him a couple of pints, and he watched the game and he said he felt great. He shook my hand at the end and said thanks. I felt good about that as who knows that could be me anytime as we don't know what can happen.
Have you helped someone out unexpectedly ?

What a thoroughly decent chap you are!
 

bringbackrattles

Well-Known Member
The 2 that stand out for me
1. About 10 years ago coming back from Brum in the train I was changing at New St in rush hour, off one train escalators not working bottom of the steps this old lady 70’s massive suitcase she’s stood there with a look of how am I getting this up there.
People rushing past I say “excuse me would you like me to carry your case to the top for you!?” She goes on a massive rant telling me to get away from her and effectively F off, I was stunned replied with “i’ll Leave it with you then!”

Then about a month ago I finished my lunch in the cathedral walked up the path towards ‘Slug and lettuce’ (old establishment) as I’m walking I see a lady late 60’s trying to get this guy up the steps he had a stick and was really not steady on his feet, groups of blokes walking past almost stopping to watch the guy tried to use a plant outside to pull himself up couldn’t I asked them can I give you a hand both really greatful, this guy was about 20 stone he leans on me and I some how carry him up the steps (Good deed done but I’ve twinged something in my top of thigh almost hip still hurts now!)

The amount of people that walk on by when somebody needs a hand is staggering!
This brings back an incident here in Bell Green a few years ago. I saw a blind bloke struggling against the wind and it was blowing him about, so I said " hang on I'll grab your arm,and help you along." To my amazement he said " fuck off " and tried to hit me with his cane ! A couple stood by me and said, don't help him mate as he's a nasty bastard. So I left him and the wind blew him over !
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

Well-Known Member
Thing the thing is now it's more awkward to offer help (like in your first example). Remember as a kid my mum bought a homeless bloke something from McDonalds and he turned his nose up and said that he wanted money and not food. Has made me sceptical every since with things like that.

With humans too many are deceptive nowadays but me and the wife have found about 4 dogs roaming the street and have spent hours knocking doors to see who owns it, took one to the vets to get it scanned so they could phone the owners and took one to the council place and left notes in every shop so if somebody went in looking for their dog they knew where it was.

It's the same with kids on their own, would as a bloke on my own would I want to approach a kid on their own? It's OK if with family but on my own I would be very wary with something like that (which is wrong I know).

Totally agree I’ll always do it way am and always have been, I think I hope in a way should myself or one of my loved ones be in a position of need someone would do the same!

Very interesting point with regards to kids or as a bloke on their own, I think If say I was in a shop child crying as they were lost I’d flag down the nearest female explain what was going on and walk with the child to staff or security.
 

Marty

Well-Known Member
I give to charities but don't help anyone apart from family now. Been shit on too many times trying to be nice to people, so I don't even bother now.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
yep - lost £40 out if my pocket last week so someone will have had a good find and been helped out - unexpected from both me and them!
It's these new slippery notes rob, lost a few tenners in the last few months, even when you slip it into your wallet it's hard to be sure it'll stay there .
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

Well-Known Member
It's these new slippery notes rob, lost a few tenners in the last few months, even when you slip it into your wallet it's hard to be sure it'll stay there .

I lost $80 in Aus out my pocket cashpoint to hostel 300 yards & they use the waxy notes, I spent over 2 hours wandering the route, 8 years ago and it still pisses me off, could have got myself a scooner if beer (3/4 of a pint) for that in Sydney then!
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
I'm always wary of charities nowadays :(
Well that's why I thought this local Love Coventry would be ideal. Much more likely to know where you money has gone and probably more likely to see it working in practice.

There was a girl from Ingushetia, one of the Russian republics. Her family had arranged for her to wed a man of 40, when she was just 14 and so her auntie smuggled her aboard a plane and flew her to the UK to escape her family.

She has now been here in Coventry for 3 years and is so very grateful and so happy to be here. She has very poor eyesight though and needs a prescription of over +10. Very expensive for her to get the prescription glasses she needs.

If the likes of Love Coventry can help pay for those glasses then that I see as a lovely gesture and job well done.

The girl is now studying at college and wants to build a life here.
 

bringbackrattles

Well-Known Member
I've given somebody money they've left at a cash point and when somebody has given me too much change.

I think that's really nice of you BBR, fair play. You never know what's coming in life I suppose
The chap last night had everything, good job,wife,nice home. Then all of a sudden lost the lot. He said he hadn't been in company for months, just sat in the hostel.
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
The chap last night had everything, good job,wife,nice home. Then all of a sudden lost the lot. He said he hadn't been in company for months, just sat in the hostel.
There are obviously some very genuine cases.

There's a homeless man who sits in the little archway between Corporation St (by Cosmo) and the precinct going alongside Debenhams towards West Orchards.

He never asks for money and I saw a bloke go up to him and give him an A4 sketchpad and some pencils and crayons and he was so polite and grateful. Looked down and I could see he was drawing stuff and it was pretty good too. This bloke must have encountered him before and decided to give him a little boost and this homeless guy was so delighted.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
Always fascinated me this subject .Always from childhood Wondered what life experience tips people over into becoming Tramps, street people, withdrawn,dropped out, Isolated.
 

bringbackrattles

Well-Known Member
Always fascinated me this subject .Always from childhood Wondered what life experience tips people over into becoming Tramps, street people, withdrawn,dropped out, Isolated.
A mate of mine had a brother who went from an outgoing lad to a manic depressive. He slept rough and dressed like a hobo, and just went a bit strange. Years later they found out he had a chemical imbalance in his brain, he got that sorted and now is back to being well again. Strange but true.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
A mate of mine had a brother who went from an outgoing lad to a manic depressive. He slept rough and dressed like a hobo, and just went a bit strange. Years later they found out he had a chemical imbalance in his brain, he got that sorted and now is back to being well again. Strange but true.
It very often is BBR ,the question that would be nice to understand is what brings that about.
 

shmmeee

Well-Known Member
Sat with a homeless guy in Birmingham and chatted for about an hour about his life. Wife left him, family's not around, ended up with nothing and on the street. Seemed a decent bloke and the only cash I had was a £20 note so I gave it to him to much argument as I left.

Was then immediately followed by three other homeless people asking for cash. I know I probably looked like a right mark, but it was more than Id intended to give and Id just spent an hour with that bloke. When I said I had no more cash on me I got a load of abuse. Wish I hadn't bothered then.
 

richnrg

Well-Known Member
This brings back an incident here in Bell Green a few years ago. I saw a blind bloke struggling against the wind and it was blowing him about, so I said " hang on I'll grab your arm,and help you along." To my amazement he said " fuck off " and tried to hit me with his cane ! A couple stood by me and said, don't help him mate as he's a nasty bastard. So I left him and the wind blew him over !
did you manage to get his wallet?
 

Otis

Well-Known Member
In town today and saw an elderly Indian lady go up to a homeless guy near Broadgate and she went to give him some food and he refused.

Passed him again 20 minutes later and he was asking people for money.
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
A rather haggard bloke with sick down his jacket came over to me, said he'd got throughly rat-arsed the night before and got arrested, and he didn't have the money to get the train home so had been stuck there all day. Guess I should have got him the ticket rather than given him the cash, but I got a big sick-stained hug and sloppy kiss for my troubles before he rushed off to get a ticket.

He deserved help for his honesty!
 

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