Thread: So, was I rude?

I'm sure he appreciated your help.

You certainly did what I probably would have done and I believe many would do. I think you should be feeling good that you did anything to help at all. If you had not stepped up would he still be wondering around?

Your actions may or may not have been perfect, but you at least were trying to help. He probably appreciated that and cut you some slack on your methods. Everyone else anticipated the awkwardness and chose to avoid it altogether. I commend you for helping instead.

You mention that you hated treated him differently because he blind, however you are REQUIRED to do so. Treating him differently does not imply you believing that he is a lesser man, you were merely adapting to his needs. He was most likely not offended, as he is probably very used to people doing a variety of different things to get their points across to him. You stopped and helped a man in need when others did not, and instead of worrying you should feel proud for being the Good Samaritan. It is clear that hospital and the public in general need more people who are willing to help others in this way, because it truly is the little things that matter.

-Brent

Originally Posted by bknesal

You mention that you hated treated him differently because he blind, however you are REQUIRED to do so. Treating him differently does not imply you believing that he is a lesser man, you were merely adapting to his needs.

Thanks, that's a good point.

Just to be clear. I'm not beating myself up over this. I realize that he has probably had a lifetime of people treating him differently. I just felt that I could have been more respectful of him even if he did not end up taking offense. Next time I'll try to do better.

Thanks guys.

It sounds like you have played the part of the Good Samaritan to perfection. A dozen people walked by but you stopped to help, I think your intentions as well as the actions say a lot about you. Its all good! Life is a learning experience and you have learned something. I do agree that maybe you should have asked what the best way to help was, but I would have probably made the same mistake trying to act in an efficient manner.

Instead of wondering if you offended by the was you helped him you should be proud that you helped another person in need. I can only imagine how scary it must be to be lost in a room with many people and have no one offer any kind of help. It is a window to your character

As everyone has already said, you did nothing wrong, and definitely could have done worse. Since it was just a light touch to direct him to where he wanted, I think the only way you could have offended him was if he had a big touching issue, and he likely would have made it known. I would have done it the same way, typically I think I'd have said something like "here" before touching him just out of instinct as a preamble to helping him, but it isn't necessary.

You should definitely be proud for stepping out and helping him when others didn't, human brains are hardwired to avoid doing that, and you did. Good on you!

I can't see that what you did was anything but the right thing to do.
Some sections of western society are becoming so hell bent on maintaining political correctness that it is becoming self-defeating. Sure, there are things we did a few years back that we cringe at nowadays, but we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.