Do you ever pick up random people at the grocery store and drive them home?

[Doglover8180]

I would never give a stranger a ride home.... It's so unsafe. How did they get to the store in the first place? Make arrangements to get there and back before you ever go to the store. In this day and age, I wouldn't give anyone a ride home.... even a woman. There have been many cases where women will approach another woman in a parking lot, in need of help and women think because it is a woman by herself, it must be safe...when really there is a man just around the corner, or some sort of scam. I wouldn't care if the woman appeared to be 80, I just wouldn't give them a ride home in this day and age. It's too unsafe to risk it.

[Doglover8180]

I have read some of the posts and many comment about those that have given them a ride home, how their kindness and generosity restores their faith in humanity. It is not that those of us who refuse to give a ride to someone, aren't kind or generous. I have seen elderly people struggle to reach something in the grocery, I grab it for them, or I see that I have a coupon for something someone is buying, I give it to them. I think I am just as kind and generous as anyone else but I am also very cautious. You have to be in this day and age and giving a ride to a stranger, is just too big of a risk.

[ladyspl]

I'm sorry, but the big red flag of 11:45 PM is what bothers me. How did they get there to begin with? I have helped people and have declined people. Several factors that go into those decisions are things like the obvious "Why did you chose midnight to go to the store with a man who just had surgery?" "How did you get here?" Then there are the safety issues to take into consideration "A mom with her kid(s) is not threatening, however I'm still looking for a scam man waiting to knock me out and take my truck" If no kids involved, then do the math, 1 of you? 2 of them? Possible bad news." But the biggest deterrent to any would be attacker is loosing their anonymity. If you tell Sob Story Sally and Down on his Luck Dave, that you have no problem taking them to their little love shack down the way, but you have to take their pictures and text them to your spouse, mom, bff, coworker, etc along with the address you are dropping them at and the approximate eta of that venture (if no camera on your phone, then a quick phone call to aforementioned list, with their descriptions, address, etc) and if they are ok with that and still need the ride, Jump on in, put on your seat belts and hold on tight, I drive fast!
Don't assume anything! Just because they may have been seniors, does not mean they are Gramma and Grampa-Love-you-Bunches. I remember reading an article a few years back, on MSN, about the Golden Years Grabbers, or some catchy heading like that, about 2 old men who stole purses at the mall. Funny story too, unfortunately, because they would just walk up to women, one would ask directions like he was disoriented, while the other snatched the purse or wallet, and walked off. They were retired men!
I'm just saying, it's great that you chose to help, and we are happy you were not a victim of something horrible, but please please please, protect yourself. An extra minute to call someone and let them know, could be the all the difference in the world.

[aCRaZyCoUpoNgiRl]

my fiance and I did ONCE and it will be the LAST time we try to help someone out. We went to Little Ceasars to get a pizza and a man came into the store and was asking people for rides because his car was on the side of the road and needed a ride. ok....so us being nice people offered him a ride...he said it was right down the road....well it ended up being all the way across town (20 miles) and this is what he said when he was driving in the car with us....can I use your cell phone? sorry, but we forgot it at the house...and we did, we usually have it with us....then he asked for some money...like $30 for a part he needed for his car....we didn't have it...then he started rambling on about how sick he was with cancer and how he served his country.....blah blah blah....
we started to get scared and we just looked at each other and we said nothing to him....just kept driving to where he told us to go....well when we got there.....at some apt complex, he said for us to wait and he be right back...well his car wasn't there that needed fixing like he said and well.....we took off and didn't look back. Bad enough we drove 20 miles...I think we were scammed and luckily he didn't pull a gun or knife on us while driving...I was praying the whole way because I just had that feeling....so scary!

I applaud you for helping out but it's not for us anymore....

[Blessed617]

Bless those who would or have picked up someone for whatever reason. Being on disability at a young age (42) I don't have a lot to live on to support me and my son. I had a car that died and have not had the money to replace it and now can't afford it now that it's just me and my son. Public transportation is difficult and cabs are expensive. With a small child and absolutely no family and very few friends/acquaintances to turn to for help shopping is either expensive taking cabs or very difficult taking the bus. I went to walmart Thursday and bought a 12 pack of soda for a funeral at my church today. My son knocked it over playing while waiting to transfer busses. The driver wouldn't let us on until it was time for the bus to leave because he had to go socialize with other riders. When my son knocked over the soda that was keeping my fresh meat off the ground it busted one or more of the cans in the pack and soda was everywhere. So to those of you who feel moved to help others in need I truly bless God for you. May you be rewarded for your good deeds. I do understand the reasons for not doing this as well and don't think poorly of those who decide not to help. I probably would not have been as open to it if I had not been through all I've been through not having a car. I like the idea that if you are compelled to help taking a cell pic and sending it to someone. I'd oblige with no problem as long as my son was not in the picture. I'm uber protective of my son's online presence and how do I know they are not going to use it to photoshop into kiddie porn? And I like the suggestion that just because many would not offer assistance they are not generous. Generosity comes in many forms. We do what feels comfortable to us. Generosity is a form of love and love is not forced.

[CouponClipper15]

Bravo for doing a good selfless deed , but I never would pick anyone up from my local grocery store unless I knew them personally.

The area, I live in has a really bad crime rate, and there's been violent incidents, so no. I would never give anyone a ride that I did not know.

[Smee]

Back when I used to offer rides to people, they'd always, without fail, ask to make 836292 stops all over town instead of going right home or wherever. "I buy my meat from this store and my produce from that store and I need to stop at the liquor store and then pick up my friend to come to my house, but first I need to cash a check and pay a bill, and oh, I need to go to the pet store for dog food. Oh, and I need to go back to Walmart because I forgot to pick up my prescription while I was there. And that's it. Ok? "

What the crap??