Picking a walking stick up for an elderly stranger?

[MRSDoos]

Just want others opinions on this

I saw a elderly man drop his walking stick and I grabbed it for him, he seemed grateful and said “thank you”

I heard someone in the queue behind me say to their friend “I wouldn’t of done that, covid and all this flu that’s going around” and suddenly felt a bit bad

I’m not sure if she meant me passing anything onto him or him passing anything onto me but now I’m questioning if I should of touched it. He seemed quite frail so not sure if he would of managed himself getting it off the floor anyway

I know this isn’t a big deal but just wanted to know what you would of done

I'm not elderly but do walk with a stick and would be very grateful if you picked it up for me. I've noticed in recent years people are being less helpful to me as a disabled person so I would be extremely grateful of assistance at times (if indoubt you can always ask in future if that makes you feel happier but please don't let this put you off).
He is probably more at risk of falling/injuring himself picking up his stick than of 'catching' flu/covid.

This is one of those scenarios where I'd have done exactly the same as you, but in hindsight would be wishing I'd said something to them along the lines of "what would you have done? Left him standing there unable to walk until he keeled over?! Don't be so ridiculous."

YANBU, I've done the same. Sort of.

I was walking with my DC on a quiet residential road, when we came across an elderly man with a sholly. He seemed to be shuffling in one spot, holding on to somebody's front hedge. When we got closer, we saw that he'd somehow got a really long bramble (growing out from under the hedge) tangled around both his legs.

I approached and said "Can I help you?" and he said "Yes please" so I had to kneel down to free him. He was very grateful; fortunately nobody was around to tut at me for COVID.

Not sure how long he'd have been stuck there if we hadn't been passing as it was a pretty quiet road.

@Kucinghitam That’s an idea. Maybe I should of asked him first, I think will do that if the situation ever happens again haha

There was another thread along the same lines , how can people think anything other than it's the kind and polite thing to do ?

More risk of him falling and being seriously hurt while picking up his stick if no-one had helped, than passing anything on to him or vice versa. Well done, OP. What a daft comment from the person in the queue.

I’d have used his walking stick as a giant match and set fire to the both of us.

#staysafe

Maybe I should of asked him first, I think will do that if the situation ever happens again haha

Well to be fair, I rather felt I had to ask him since I had to get up close and personal, as it were.

😂
I double checked the date of this thread, assuming it was written in 2020

Whoever commented is an idiot. Do they stop using handrails and sitting on public seats too? Or pushing doors? Or touching stuff in the supermarket?

hands can be washed, he would’ve struggled to pick his stick up alone. You did the right thing.

@magicstar1 I'm laughing at your first comment and goggling at your second. How could anyone be so heartless?! I hope your mum was/is okay.

I always go to pick something up if someone dropped it.

I would 100% do it if it was an elderly person.

The other day an old woman’s bag split and all her shopping fell out and was rolling away.
Without a seconds thought 3 teenage boys ran over and started picking all of her shopping up and helped pack it in her spare bag - it was so kind but I would hope it’s something that everyone would do.

Are you trying to be ironic?
Thats quite a double standard you have there.

So long as you didn't lick it before you gave it back to him I think you did the right thing.
Honestly, are people still afraid to touch stuff?!? I'm surprised they were even out in public if this is how they think.

YaDnbu

Agree... they must've been one of those "as long as its not covid" people.

Old man can fall and potentially break a bone but its ok as long as its not covid.

It's not charitable it kind and yes I would have done exactly the same thing.

My mum used a walking stick and if she had dropped it I would have appreciated anyone picking it up for her as it would have been difficult for her especially as she was a fall risk. She did progress to a rollator.
You did a good thing

I'd have done the same as you, as would any decent person, even if it had been during social distancing/mask wearing rules, let alone now. The woman who commented is an absolute horror IMO.

I've done the very same thing for 2 people in the last month. I couldn't watch them struggling. It's normal to want to help. My mum's been helped by some caring people when she's fallen in public places. Take no notice of a disapproving stranger.

I would've done exactly the same
Shame kindness is frowned on these days
I'm disabled and managed to fall over with my Rollator( stopped the traffic) Everyone was so kind( this was before Covid)

Agree with this.

I would have helped but would have asked first. Some people don’t mind if you do without asking but others do and may give you an earful. Different if someone knocked something off a shelf by accident but when it comes to the possibility of touching someone or their property, better to ask.

If you sneezed or coughed on it then shoved it up his nose then I could see her point. She sounds a bit thick, people like that are best ignored.

I did it in the bank today
Lady started to reach down but was obviously struggling
I didn't think twice tbh and she said thank you

This!

Well done, OP! 👏👏👏