I was once waiting for a bus in Kilbernie with a friend late one very cold night. We had been waiting about 30 minutes and during that time a young woman had been sitting very still on a nearby seat with her legs up against her chest and her hood pulled down over her face. When my friend and I realised there were no more busses coming, I became concerned about the girl - realising she was not waiting for a bus but seeing out the night at the stop. I asked her if she was ok and what was up and she told me she had run away from home and had nowhere to go. We were off to a party so I invited her along - just for some warmth and maybe snacks. She came quite gratefully I think and stuck to me like glue once we got there. When I was ready to go home I didn't feel I could leave her so I invited her back to my flat and she spent the night on my couch. The next day she told me her story - not so horrible but not great - and she told me she would never go to a shelter and would not ask for help from family or friends. I bought her some fish and chips and then sent her away. I was almost broke and didn't feel equal to helping her any more than I had. I felt bad for that, but I didn't think her health or safety were in immediate danger and ultimately, it was impractical.
Now, when I see stangers who seem to need help I don't offer any because I know I'm not willing to give them the full extent of help they need and so resign myself to doing nothing.
Having said that, if I saw someone faint on the street I would help.
