Thank you :)

MissSarah151

Hermia wrote: »

The risk is not in losing your phone, the risk is in the fact that you may need to open your bag or are distracted by making the call. A male colleague was approached by a woman for help at 3pm. He's a kind chap and went over to her and ended up with a knife held to his throat by her accomplice. All personal safety training emphasises that you need to secure your own safety first and then help. It is also better to get a shop to ring because they they will do it from a landline (quicker for the emergency services to trace you) and know the postcode etc.

If you judge the situation to be shady then fair enough make the call further away, I agree you are no use if your own safety is compromised - but to point blank refuse 'to get involved' is wrong, in my opinion. It's all very well saying to walk to a shop and get them to call but that's taking up time which could prove critical - your mobile location flashes up on the 999 call handlers screen as well as a landline.

OP - I wish your friends child a speedy recovery.

Wilma33

Recently a panicked women on a deserted train platform asked to borrow my phone. I thought about it and then said no. I felt really bad all day because I was 90% sure it was genuine, but wasn't willing to take the 10% risk that she was going to mug me of my iphone or worse. So don't be too harsh on the women that said no. I'm a nice person, I just don't want to be scammed!

[Deleted User]

OP, I am so glad you got help from the second person!

In 1995 when in my early 20's I saw a serious car crash just feet from me. Until then I'd never had to be involved in an emergency and never knew how I'd react.

This was before mobiles and I found myself dropping bags (just got off the bus in my village) and instantly ran across the road to the local pub get them to call 999, then back to the car. Time moved very slowly it seemed. Another lady had gotten off the bus with her teenage daughter at the same time. She froze and panicked and screamed and did nothing much else.

Sometimes people react in weird ways when confronted with emergencies - this is not to excuse the woman described in the OP - but I believe that most people are decent, kind people and will help. I'm so sorry you had a bad experience and sincerely hope your friends little daughter recovers well.

[Deleted User]

Wilma33 wrote: »

Recently a panicked women on a deserted train platform asked to borrow my phone. I thought about it and then said no. I felt really bad all day because I was 90% sure it was genuine, but wasn't willing to take the 10% risk that she was going to mug me of my iphone or worse. So don't be too harsh on the women that said no. I'm a nice person, I just don't want to be scammed!

When strangers refuse to help someone in need then something is wrong with the world. Better to be robbed of an iPhone than to have refused help to someone in genuine need and something awful happen to them.

You can offer to make a call for someone! I've travelled far and wide around the world and never been scammed yet, but have had to help others several times.

When people don't help possibly vulnerable strangers then this is the kind of thing can happen: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2219759/Were-taxi-service-What-police-told-Caroline-Coyne-28-sex-predator-beat-death.html

MissSarah151

Wilma33 wrote: »

Recently a panicked women on a deserted train platform asked to borrow my phone. I thought about it and then said no. I felt really bad all day because I was 90% sure it was genuine, but wasn't willing to take the 10% risk that she was going to mug me of my iphone or worse. So don't be too harsh on the women that said no. I'm a nice person, I just don't want to be scammed!

Did you offer her an alternative - like where a payphone is, ask her what was wrong, offer to make the call yourself?

I can't quite comprehend that people will refuse to help in the situations described. I can completely understand why people will take a step back in violent situations where they are in danger themselves, but when someone is asking directly for help and there is no immediate or visible threat I dont understand. Are iphones really ranked higher than people nowadays?!

Wilma33

You can make a call for someone, but it's very easy for them to snatch your phone out your hand or take your purse whilst your bag is open. In my case, I suggested she asked at the ticket office, so she had options. I still felt terrible, but would do the same again.

MissSarah151

Wilma33 wrote: »

You can make a call for someone, but it's very easy for them to snatch your phone out your hand or take your purse whilst your bag is open. In my case, I suggested she asked at the ticket office, so she had options. I still felt terrible, but would do the same again.

Its very easy to snatch your purse anyway though - if you feel that vulnerable carrying expensive equipment maybe a cheap mobile phone would make you feel better.

At least you suggested the ticket office which she might not have thought of if she was under a lot of stress.

Wilma33

MissSarah151 wrote: »

Its very easy to snatch your purse anyway though - if you feel that vulnerable carrying expensive equipment maybe a cheap mobile phone would make you feel better.

I don't feel vulnerable carrying expensive equipment. I just feel vulnerable getting it out for a complete stranger on a quiet train platform.

It's the same as the scammers who ask for money at train stations to "buy a ticket home". One of them might be genuine, but too many people try it on so I don't believe any of them.

Nicki

MissSarah151 wrote: »

Its very easy to snatch your purse anyway though - if you feel that vulnerable carrying expensive equipment maybe a cheap mobile phone would make you feel better.

At least you suggested the ticket office which she might not have thought of if she was under a lot of stress.

I think most of us make a split second instinctive judgment as to whether we feel frightened or threatened in the situation or not. And if we do feel frightened, then the tendency is to step away.

It's all well and good to say that someone should have helped and run the risk of having their bag or phone snatched, but that then leaves the Good Samaritan potentially stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money, travel ticket/car keys or phone to get assistance. To say nothing of the hassle of losing phone contacts, diary entries and having to cancel all your cards and survive without easy access to cash or any means of payment for several days, which might even prevent you getting to work depending on your circumstances. If you feel by the persons demeanour that the crisis is likely a scam and all of these consequences are a real risk, you are an exceptional person to run that risk on the off chance. Far better IMO to move to a place of safety and then see if you can help by phoning for an ambulance or whatever.

yvonne13_2

I was given the news not so long ago that little one has passed away

Once again thanks to the stranger/ambulance crew and hospital team that did all they could to make little one comfortable.