Mind your own business vs. I need help

[Puguni]

Sometimes when I'm faced with situations, such as stopping a conflict, or trying to help a stranger out, I wonder whether I should butt into people's businesses. Do you just help anyway, and go away when they tell you to go, or would you just rather let them deal with it by themselves? I know some people take butting into their businesses the wrong way.

[White Raven]

I would try and help in any way that I could.
BUT you should always be careful not seem like you are trying to put them down.

That is one thing that someone I know does all the time.

She says she wants to help her back sliding sister.
But all she does it put her sister down, and tell her how bad she is.

Instead of pulling her sister closer she is driving her away.

Also you have to think of the affects your help well have on this person and yourself.

My bother is into drugs he has been to rehab lots of times.

He knows that his life style is wrong, but ultimately he will have to change it.

I tell him I love him every time I get the chance.

And if I could help him I would.

If he needed food I would give it to him.

If he needed someone to help him pay for rehab I would try and pay the doctors.

Will I give him money so he can go out to buy beer and drugs.
NO.

Do I leave my purse alone in the same room with him.
NO.

Sorry, I’m not much help.

[Sammy Boy]

Puguni - Well, I think you can ask politely if the person wants help? Sorry if that answer is too simplistic, but that's what I would do.

The exception would be if someone was getting beat up on the street. In such a situation it would be my duty as a citizen and human being to stop that kind of thing going on.

[Yumie]

Just remember. "When in trouble, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."

Actually, don't do that. Then people will tell you that *you* need help. That's just a saying my dad used to tell us to remember if we got lost or something, so that my mom would have to repeat the *real* thing we should do if we got lost one more time. Anyways, if you know the person well, then I'd say that you should use your discernment about whether or not it's the kind of person who accepts help when they're in bad situations. Some people just don't want help no matter what, that's just the way they are. Some people would be glad to have any help they can get. Seems like it tends to differ from person to person. But in the end, if it's someone you don't know, there's probably no harm in offering help. If they turn you down, so what? At least you offered and you wouldn't have to look back and think, "Gah! I should have offered to help that person!"