Am I just paranoid?

Everyday I take it for granted that I can just get in my car and go where I want to go........don't think twice about it. Well, everyday that I come home from work, I see this nice looking lady standing at a bus stop. She always looks beat and every day I think, "gees, we're probably going the same way.........I wish I could just pick her up and take her home" The problem is, you just don't know who you can trust...........is it just me? Am I being paranoid to not pick up strangers.....no matter how kind they may look!?

No, you are being wise!

She may not kill you, but she could still freak you out! I wouldn't offer her a ride. I know its mean, but I think its wise in this day and age to second guess people.

Unfortunately, Susie, I don't think that's paranoid at all -- prudent is more like it. You want to be helpful and generous, but that makes you a target, and while that sweet, tired-looking little old lady may be on the up and up, that's exactly the kind of cover people choose, who want to dupe you --because they know it's more likely to suck you in than many other covers they might choose. I'd leave her there, too -- and feel crummy -- but live to tell the tale. Too bad we have to make these choices.

I agree. Unfortunately nowdays the bad guys look like everyone else. I'd rather you leave the tired looking woman right where she is and live to tell us about her. I'm sorry and I feel horrible for her, but you just never know who is who these days.

Is it possible of you to do you journey to and from work by bus for one day?
Then perhaps you could speak to her and have a bit more info.
Anne

I don't think you're being paranoid Susie. Nowadays you can't be too cautious, unfortunately.

then again, she might feel the same way and may not accept a ride from a stranger.

Originally Posted by Anakat

Is it possible of you to do you journey to and from work by bus for one day?
Then perhaps you could speak to her and have a bit more info.
Anne

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Good idea, but no, I work like 15 miles in the opposite direction than where her bus goes.............

No, you are not being paranoid. I picked up a young woman hitchhiking in the rain one time, and she screamed at me for not giving her drugs or money. I stopped about a mile where I picked her up, and literally had to force her out of my car.

Originally Posted by Arlyn

No, you are being wise!

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.... be careful my friend! ...

Don't pick her up. Its very dangerous. I would say give her some water or something but that may offend her thinking that oyu think she can't take care of herself. Just smile and wave to her!!

I know.......you guys are right. It'll be hard seeing her standing there in the rain tonight..............

She might also have pride in the fact that she's able to take the bus. who knows...she could get insulted if you offer them a ride and they react like "So you want to make me feel poorer than I now..."

or maybe she's taking pride in the fact that she's helping the environment by taking a mass transportation system while you're burning fuel just for yourself.

Either case, you're not paranoid!!

Never thought of it that way Jenney!!

Originally Posted by lunasmom

She might also have pride in the fact that she's able to take the bus. who knows...she could get insulted if you offer them a ride and they react like "So you want to make me feel poorer than I now..."

or maybe she's taking pride in the fact that she's helping the environment by taking a mass transportation system while you're burning fuel just for yourself.

Either case, you're not paranoid!!

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Isn't it sad that we have to feel like this about another human being.

Let me put a slightly different spin on it...

When I was working, I bussed to and from even in Seattle's miserable fall and winter weather.
If some lady all nice and dry in a car had approached me offering a ride, I'd have thought her a nut job!

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Let me put a slightly different spin on it...

When I was working, I bussed to and from even in Seattle's miserable fall and winter weather.
If some lady all nice and dry in a car had approached me offering a ride, I'd have thought her a nut job!

Click to expand...

That's a clever change of outlook on the situations!

When I lived in town I rode the bus and I would never have accepted a ride by a stranger its just too dangerous. And I would have questioned the motives of anyone offering a stranger a ride because you just can't be too carefull nowadays. I was raised in a small town and where I live at I don't think twice about offering rides but lucklily everyone knows everyone here but even then there are some people here (only because I know them) that I would never offer a ride to unless I had a really scarey looking dog in the backseat of my car. You gotta be careful these days. Bad people come in all shapes.