Helping someone cross the street -advice from older people?

Question

Im 17 and love old people. Ever since I was a toddler I have loved and adored the elderly. I HATE children, other teenagers, and adults but just care so much for the elderly.
My question is: is it weird these days for a young person like me to help assist an old woman or man cross the street? How would I go about asking them? I don't want to seem like a creep or a thief.
Whenever I see them crossing the street slowly I always want to help but don't know the reaction I would get.

Answer 1

I've never understood how or why people think they need to help "an old woman or man cross the street." If they need to cross the street, that means they've either already crossed at least one street all by themselves, or will be crossing the same street later. They've been crossing streets all their lives. They've crossed more streets in their one life time then you and all the other students in your class have probably crossed in your lifetime. They are experts as crossing streets.



And then, exactly how is grabbing an arm and talking to them helping them cross a street? Do you think a street will cause them to lean heavily to one side for some strange physiological reason, so they need a counterweight? Exactly how to grabbing an arm help at all?



What is this obsession with helping "an old woman or man cross the street" to begin with?



I can see if an older person has their trunk (or boot, if you live in the UK) popped open ad a bunch of grocieres that obviously need to go indoors, helping then would be cool. Or if I'm tottering taking out huge bags of trash, taking it out for me is cool, but it's not really cool, because people who do run up to me to "help," really want me to pay them a buck or two to do something I'm still capable of doing.



Now, if you really want to help old people, come on over. I have a whole house to clean. I'll be happy to have you do it for me--truly I would. And for your effort, I will give you one of my tasty muffins (huge suckers, not the little store variety) with lots of raisins, walnuts, and some kind of fruit--apple, peach, strawberry, banana, blueberry, pineapple, etc.) and some homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. AND, if you're enthusiastic, hubby will make one of his yummy pita pizza with roast cherry tomatoes, some herbs fresh from the garden, and some cheese. Truly worthy of the effort.



AND, if you come back and help me with my garden, I'll ever pay you if you do a good job. That's stuff seniors would be more interested in having dome, that walking across the street....ooooh, and shoveling snow! Gots to shovel snow--16 feet a four steps for $15.

Answer 2

Do they need help in crossing the street though ? How was their walking along the sidewalk ? If they have not asked for help across the street, you do not need to help them.



If however you have noticed that they walk slowly across the street and the traffic lights are starting to change, just walk slowly yourself and any impatient drivers will notice a couple or more people rather than just one slow walker and not want to drive right up close and try and hurry up the elderly person. No need to say anything.



There is safety in numbers.

Answer 3

Ask them politely. They can refuse, in which case you simply have to walk away. Not all elderly people like assistance of this kind, preferring instead to manage alone. By the way, it isn't just the elderly who may need assistance crossing the road. You might ask to help heavily pregnant women, the disabled, and those carrying heavy parcels.



Since you are interested in the elderly, perhaps you could consider a job working more closely with them. The world needs people like you.

Answer 4

No it is not weird at all.

Just ask if they need help and just take their elbow and walk with them across the street but don't walk fast!

And good for you to have respects for the elderly too!

Answer 5

How exactly are you planning on helping them walk faster? It is a very nice idea, but I think in this day and age, anyone that disabled would not be trying to cross if they could not do it alone.



Why don't you see if you can volunteer some time at a Sr. center or nursing home.

Answer 6

I am always nervous when I cross a busy street alone, as I fear that someone will not see me and rush the light. (I am not really slow, just not fast) I always appreciate when someone else slows down to walk close so that we are more visable to drivers. (safety in numbers). So you can always act like you are walking with someone older, so YOU feel safer and make them feel that they are helping YOU. Sometimes I latch on to a family and make a joke like...."they can't run over all of us, ha, ha " and they almost always slow down to walk with me. People can be kind. And I never feel insulted or ashamed.

Answer 7

I appreciate your concern, but if I need help crossing a street I shouldn't be out.

Answer 8

Don't hate anyone and make sure the lady or gentleman wants assistance by asking first. If they are out and about chances are, they are fine on their own.