Elderly people often seek help from others but would you go out of the way to help them even if that feels unsafe?
An internet user asked, “Am I a jerk for denying an older woman shelter from a storm?”. Here’s the full story for you to conclude.
Backstory:
The Original Poster, OP (23F) is an avid hiker in Australia. Last week, she encountered a middle-aged woman, around 50 years old as OP was coming off a trail.
She was walking in OP’s direction as OP came out of the bush. It was strange to see her, the sun was almost down and the weather was starting to turn.
OP’s Weird Radar Went Off
Also, this was an intermediate collection of trails at best, and difficult even for OP at worst. And she didn’t look super athletic. The point is, OP’s ‘weird’ radar was going off already.
The Lady’s ‘Weird’ Behavior
The lady walked up to OP and stopped, standing too close for OP’s comfort, gestured toward the clearing where OP’s car was parked, and asked whether it was her car. No greeting or anything.
Something Made Her Uncomfortable
When OP looked over, something made her uncomfortable – there were no cars other than OP’s in sight. The trail OP was on isn’t crazy far from civilization but it’s not a walk away – one of those highway rest stops that’s there for the trail and a few parking spots. No way the woman could have got there without driving.
What Did OP Do Next?
OP let her know that, yes, it was her car, to which she responded something like “Perfect, there’s a storm coming, I can’t be caught in it and I need to get home”.
She was very matter-of-fact. It seemed to OP like she had already decided what would happen. Without waiting for OP’s response, she started striding for her car.
OP says “I am glad I always lock my doors because she would have hopped right in the passenger seat had the door opened.”
Some More Weird Stuff
As the woman was walking over to it, OP went after her trying to explain that OP wasn’t sure it was a good idea for her to hitch a ride- asking why she was out here in the first place.
OP thinks she was talking to a brick wall until the woman realized the car was locked, at which point she turned around with a look of anger and frustration on her face.
She Started Ranting
She starts ranting – the same stuff as before “I NEED to get home,” “A STORM is coming,” “I CANNOT be caught in it” “Why don’t you get it?!”.
OP was very confused at this point, and a little scared, as this woman was now a barrier between OP and her vehicle. OP told her something like ‘I’m sorry but I don’t feel comfortable with having a stranger in my car’.
The Woman’s Reaction When OP Denied Letting Her In OP’s Car
The woman stared at OP down for a few seconds, OP guessed trying to gauge her chances of asking again. And just like that, the anger drops from her face and she’s silent.
OP was really uncomfortable. OP asked if she could call someone if there was another way to help. She starts walking- towards OP (scary), but then right past me.
OP’s still asking her questions, then just saying things like “hello” and “excuse me”. No response. She walked to the other end of the rest stop and maintained eye contact with OP as she sat down on a log, then just stared at nothing.
What Did OP Do Finally?
OP says, “I didn’t follow her. I got into my car, really shaken up and drove away. As soon as I was back in cell range I called fire and rescue, they said they would send someone out.
I was scared for my safety at the moment, but she was just some woman alone in the middle of nowhere. Am I the jerk for refusing this strange woman a ride/shelter in my car?”
Now OP wants to know if what he did was wrong?
You Went Above & Beyond
“Not the jerk, of course. In my country, women are sometimes the “bait” for traps like this; someone could have been hiding and waiting for you to open your car so they can steal it. Also, you called services to pick her up. I think you went above and beyond.”
That’s Pretty Weird
“That was weird. Why didn’t she just ask properly? I wouldn’t have taken her either. And it’s not like you left her there to die, you called the authorities so that they could go and take her home.”
You Did The Right Thing
“You did the right thing! What a scary situation, and calling fire and rescue was a much better option than having this woman in your car.”
You Made A Reasonable Judgment
“Sure, she might have been innocent and normal, but given how she acted, she also might not have been! Sounds like you made a reasonable judgment based on those odds, and beyond that, you called for help for her afterwards. Good on you.”
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This article was originally published on Mrs Daaku Studio.