How Would You Handle This?

[cappyjon431]

This morning I encountered a situation that I did not know how to handle and in hindsight I might have bungled it. Its been bothering me all morning so I wanted to see what others had to say.

Early this morning I took my dog out for a walk (no, this is NOT a dog poop thread!). It was pouring rain and had been doing so for a couple of hours. On my walk I encountered a woman walking in the rain who was not carrying an umbrella, not wearing a raincoat (she was only wearing a light t-shirt and shorts) and she was drenched to the bone. I waved and said "good morning" but she barely acknowledged me. Once I got home I got to thinking that this woman certaintly wasn't caught in a sudden downpour--it had been raining for hours. She was dressed inappropriately (for the weather). I started to wonder if she might have been lost or suffering from dementia. I questioned myself as to whether I should have tried to stop her and render assistance or perhaps called Neighborhood Watch. I found myself in quite a dilemna--should I have been proactive and tried to help and faced embarrassing myself if she turned out to be fine (no one likes to accused of not being "all there"), or should I have just minded my own business and hoped that she just enjoyed a brisk walk in the rain and that everything was OK?

I'm still left wondering what I should have done.

[graciegirl]

Kind of you to worry, Jon, but I think you did the right thing. It isn't a cold rain or a chilly day and I know people, including myself, who like to walk in the rain when it isn't lightning and when it is a decent temperature. I NEVER carry an umbrella.

If you had said something or done something, it might have been not as good as just letting it be.

[jebartle]

some walkers just like to walk in rain....Have a great day

[missypie]

Guess I would have just stopped for a second and talk about the much needed rain. You then would be able to see how she would react.

This is hind sight and I've read your thread and had time to think about it. We all think what should I have said, or done.

Just the idea that you thought about it after the fact shows you are a good and compassionate person.

Have a wonderful day.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

If unsure, report it to the police. They are professionals and handle different situations daily. :ho: To them!

[CarolSells]

If unsure, report it to the police. They are professionals and handle different situations daily. :ho: To them!

Are you friggin' kidding me? Call the police? Because a woman was walking in the rain? Maybe her dog just died. Maybe a relative just passed away. Maybe her husband is having an affair. Maybe it's NOYB, as my mother used to say.

Cappyjon. Thank you for being concerned and don't worry...she's probably fine.

[njbchbum]

her minimal acknowledgement of your morning greeting might have been because she did not want to have to explain her walking in the rain - or - she just might not be a morning person! ;) like gracie said, kind of you to be concerned.

[paulandjean]

I agree, Stay out of it. Just like the song,"Walking in the rain" No do not call the Police. Police are for emergencys.

[Pturner]

Hi Cappyjon,

I agree with others that you are kind to be concerned. Also, by taking the time to post it, you give others a chance to consider what they might do in a similar situation.

Funny thing is, Wednesday afternoon I was driving home in cart from neighborhood pool and saw a women in my Village walking in the sun. I assumed she was walking because she wanted to walk. However, being neighborly, I stopped all the same to ask if she would like a lift. Much to my surprise, she said, "oh yes, thank you very much". Turns out she had walked to the mailboxes and was almost home. However, it was a bit hotter than she expected and she was tired. I took her the rest of the way to her house, which was on my way home. We exchanged pleasantries and I was on my way.

Moral of the story, I think, is we can assume but can't be sure of another's situation. Cappyjon, I suppose in that situation, I might have said hello and asked in a friendly and unassuming way if she needed assistance. Of course, there's always the chance she would have been offended. In all likelihood, the lady was just fine and out for a walk in the pleasing rain!

[thekeithfan]

This morning I encountered a situation that I did not know how to handle and in hindsight I might have bungled it. Its been bothering me all morning so I wanted to see what others had to say.

Early this morning I took my dog out for a walk (no, this is NOT a dog poop thread!). It was pouring rain and had been doing so for a couple of hours. On my walk I encountered a woman walking in the rain who was not carrying an umbrella, not wearing a raincoat (she was only wearing a light t-shirt and shorts) and she was drenched to the bone. I waved and said "good morning" but she barely acknowledged me. Once I got home I got to thinking that this woman certaintly wasn't caught in a sudden downpour--it had been raining for hours. She was dressed inappropriately (for the weather). I started to wonder if she might have been lost or suffering from dementia. I questioned myself as to whether I should have tried to stop her and render assistance or perhaps called Neighborhood Watch. I found myself in quite a dilemna--should I have been proactive and tried to help and faced embarrassing myself if she turned out to be fine (no one likes to accused of not being "all there"), or should I have just minded my own business and hoped that she just enjoyed a brisk walk in the rain and that everything was OK?

I'm still left wondering what I should have done.

I've seen such a woman walking, soaked in the rain over on Paradise/W Boone. I've also watched her do this for a couple years. I even offered her an umbrella. Poor soul!

[thistrucksforyou]

If that were my mother I would call you and thank you for your concern about her....Everyone else has excuses to do nothing !

[gmcneill]

Jon: Put me down in support of pturner's last paragraph.
What's the worst that would happen? I get yelled at for being concerned enough to check on someone, for not minding my own business in a situation that most people would deem not usual. I am a big boy, I'm pretty sure that I could handle that.

So many of us are quick to stop and offer assistance to golf cart drivers who appear lost but would walk by w/out checking on someone in this circumstance? Nope, not me. Not ever!!

The lady wasn't dressed for the situation...Does she enjoy walking in the rain in the dark of a developing dawn? Ok, fine! No worries there! But she also could have been looking for an escaped pet, or was lost, or was disoriented, or has sundowners, or worse.

Getting rebuked for expressing concern about someone is a pretty good trade-off to me given the potential negative consequences if the person was in need of help.

Neighbors helping neighbors; villagers checking on villagers. Seems like one of the reasons why many folks have chosen to live here.

[cappyjon431]

Jon: Put me down in support of pturner's last paragraph.
What's the worst that would happen? I get yelled at for being concerned enough to check on someone, for not minding my own business in a situation that most people would deem not usual. I am a big boy, I'm pretty sure that I could handle that.

So many of us are quick to stop and offer assistance to golf cart drivers who appear lost but would walk by w/out checking on someone in this circumstance? Nope, not me. Not ever!!

The lady wasn't dressed for the situation...Does she enjoy walking in the rain in the dark of a developing dawn? Ok, fine! No worries there! But she also could have been looking for an escaped pet, or was lost, or was disoriented, or has sundowners, or worse.

Getting rebuked for expressing concern about someone is a pretty good trade-off to me given the potential negative consequences if the person was in need of help.

Neighbors helping neighbors; villagers checking on villagers. Seems like one of the reasons why many folks have chosen to live here.

In my heart I know you are right. I wish I had stopped and asked. At least now i know how to respond in the future.

[tainsley]

Hi Jon! Good for you for caring. I was out walking one day this week (shorts, tshirt, hat and sneakers) when it started to pour. I still had two miles to go before I got home! Maybe she was in the situation as I was a couple of days ago and just got caught in the rain! Next time it wouldn't hurt to ask if it gives you peace of mind. You sound like a good guy! (also not everyone is friendly...I pass the same people everyday and there is just one person that never acknowledges me...I say good morning anyway!)

[mickey100]

Cappyjon, so nice of you to be concerned. You didn't mention her age. Could she have been a jogger? Sometimes if I jog, and the weather turns bad, I'm at a point where I'm done running, and am doing a cool-down/walking back home. The rain doesn't bother me because I'm hot and tired, and actually, being "wet" feels kind of refreshing. its nice to know people like you are in The Villages.

[Irish Rover]

There are times when minding your own business might apply. She may have suffered a loss of a loved one or whatever. Haven't you ever walked in the rain?

[Count'n the days]

Pturner - very well expressed.

[mojoe]

Jon, I thank you for sharing and caring. I am sure she is OK.

[hotrodgirl]

Jon, I have read so many of your posts lately and you seem an outstanding person! Your concern speaks volumes about your character, and to second guess yourself just proves that you care about the fate of others. Perhaps if a similar situation occurs at another time, you would just say hello and ask if all is ok. Sometimes people just prefer their privacy.... So many would never have given it a second thought, but you have shown your true colors!

[cappyjon431]

Cappyjon, so nice of you to be concerned. You didn't mention her age. Could she have been a jogger? Sometimes if I jog, and the weather turns bad, I'm at a point where I'm done running, and am doing a cool-down/walking back home. The rain doesn't bother me because I'm hot and tired, and actually, being "wet" feels kind of refreshing. its nice to know people like you are in The Villages.

I am somewhat reluctant to guess people's ages here in TV as so many look significantly younger than their actual ages. If I had to guess, I would say upper 60s-early 70s.

If it had been a recent rainfall I certainly would have thought it was a jogger or walker who just happened to get caught in the rain, but in this case it had been raining for a few hours so I find this highly unlikely.

Unfortunately I might not ever learn if she was OK or if she was a person who needed help. at least I know how I will respond next time I see something similar.

[Didiwinbob]

I agree with gmcneill. Too many times people are afraid to take a chance. What would have been the worst thing that could have happened? I have taken that risk and the person was ok but we both smiled.


Chris

[Tweety Bird]

Some people like to walk and don't want to be talked to. It's "think" time or "alone" time.

[Barefoot]

This morning I encountered a situation that I did not know how to handle and in hindsight I might have bungled it. I'm still left wondering what I should have done.

Your "gut" instinct told you to make sure the walker was OK. You didn't bungle it, but now you feel uneasy because you ignored your instinct. You are a very good person to care as much as you do.

Thank you for sharing this story, it's given me "food for thought". Some people find serenity in walking alone in the rain. But I don't think any walker would be offended by someone asking:"Everything OK?"

[Gerald]

I live on the golf course. I see every time it rains the golfers still playing in the rain and until they are forced off the course during lighting storms as well. If people want to walk or play while it is raining all it means is that they will get wet.

[asianthree]

after my run i cool down no matter what the weather. Once you are soaked its just what it is

[redwitch]

It's so easy to kick yourself after the fact. You noticed her and acknowledged her. If she had been in serious distress (crying, wandering in circles), I know you would have stopped and tried to help. I can understand stopping and trying to chat with her for a few moments to be sure she is fine. I can also understand just nodding hello and continuing on, especially since she did acknowledge but didn't seem too friendly. I don't think either action is incorrect.