When was the last time you felt really bad/sad/sorry for a stranger?
Asked by
OpryLeigh (
25310
)
November 3rd, 2014
from iPhone
Yesterday my dad was involved in a car accident so I took him to the hospital to get his neck looked at and there were a fair few people in the waiting room. While I was people watching I noticed a middle aged lady who had clearly seen better days slumped in a wheel chair and she appeared to be sleeping. She had leaves and twigs caught in her hair and stuck to her clothes and a teddy on her lap.
Eventually we were called in for dad to be checked over (he’s fine, just muscular discomfort) and when we came out the woman had moved herself to the back of the waiting room and was sobbing her heart out while cuddling the teddy very tightly. None of the staff seemed to pay her any attention throughout all of this. I felt so sad for her and couldn’t help but wonder what her story was. Dad said he also felt sorry for her, he got the impression that she was drunk and the staff were just letting her sober up, hence why they didn’t pay her any attention for the two and a bit hours we were in there but, even if that was the case she was clearly hurting a lot. Today I regret not saying anything to her but I didn’t know what to do.
Can you recall a time when you felt really sorry for an individual you didn’t know.
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9 Answers
I always feel sad for street people with signs. My best friend is actually doing something about it… this.
On Saturday, I saw a man walking with a sign that I couldn’t read. I asked my husband and he said it said “Homeless veteran. Will work.” By that time we were past him, but I felt pretty bad.
All the time. Welcome to the life of a highly empathetic person.
The last time? A few days ago I was studying in the schoolyard with my class when a blind man got lost in the yard. He had nothing to guide him apart from his stick. The guard led him out of the yard. Outside the school, he kept crashing into trees and walls nearby. I really wished I could guide him.
I was in a waiting room once. There was an elderly lady in there, and we struck up a conversation. Somehow it turned to the Vietnam war. I said, “You remember the Vietnam war, don’t you?!”
Tears started rolling down her face. She said, “I had a son. He never came back.”
Oh. God….
Yes, homeless people, nothing specific, but every time I see a homeless person I am reminded that except for the grace of the universe there go I. I would commit suicide first, no way I could handle being homeless for even a week. :-(
1) I watched a documentary yesterday about at-risk high school students in Chicago. This one kid was talking about how his father beats his mother, and he wants to stop him but he’s afraid his father will shoot him since he knows he carries a gun and has already shot a few other people. Just heart-wrenching.
2) A guy I used to work with is now homeless. I see him in front of the public library every few months carrying large plastic bags, wearing the exact same clothes whether the temperature is 100 degrees or 55 degrees. He looks just awful. The first time I saw him and was able to stop the car I was in I ran over and gave him $20. Now when we drive by him I just say “there’s Michael…” Very sad.
@Dutchess_III
I think he quit because they weren’t giving him enough hours. He found another job, but it didn’t work out. He lost his apartment soon after. His parents refuse to help him, and he has no other family (he was adopted). It breaks my heart to think of him living day to day without a home, having to deal with the derelicts on the streets…he’s the kindest person I’ve ever met :/
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