Last night’s trip to get dinner was eventful. Our favorite sandwich place is a deli over on 6th avenue in Tacoma. From the outside and inside the deli doesn’t look like it would serve very good food, but they make the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. The prices are right too and they make food chains like Subway look pathetic in a head to head comparison.

Upon leaving with our sandwiches we discovered that the battery in our older car was completely dead. Just clicking noises, it wouldn’t turn. So I went into the trunk and grabbed the jumper cables, popped the hood and stood there quite obviously looking around for a jump from a friendly motorist or patron.

Three cars drove in and parked right next to our car, one after another. The first was a lady in a newer black car, she wouldn’t even make eye contact or pay us the time of day. As she came back I made eye contact with her at a distance. No offer to help.

So I went to the offensive and asked a few people. One car came in with their radio blaring. I offered them $10 for a jump and the woman said: “Can’t do, there’s a lot of stereo stuff in here and I’m not sure what it will do.” Doh.

Asked another. “Sorry, my battery is almost dead as it is.”

Asked the guy working inside the deli. “The last time I jumped someone it killed my battery.”

So back outside and waiting for the tow truck to arrive. I couldn’t help thinking that if we needed a jump somewhere else more friendly, than we’d have plenty of offers. Suddenly a voice called out and asked if we needed a jump from the street. I turned and said, “Yes, please.”

My wife said it was a man and woman who had driven by before and looked at us and then came back. So there are still folks who will help motorists!

Unfortunately the man’s battery wasn’t powerful enough to turn over our dead battery. I tried to give him the $10 but he wouldn’t take it. He took off and then we continued to wait.

Another car pulled up next to us, a flashy red car and the guy seemed kind of out of it but he asked if we needed a jump. I thanked him and said we tried with a lesser battery and it didn’t work and that the tow truck would be there soon. He went inside and bought a sandwich.

The tow truck arrived a few minutes later. Next to us another car had pulled in after the red car left. The guy just sat in his car staring at us while the tow truck waited to pull in. I looked in his window and said: “Please, could you move so the tow truck can get in and give us a lift.”

The man jumped in his seat, as if he had been sleeping and said: “Oh, sure. Right away.” And he smiled and moved. He had never asked to help us either.

The tow truck driver was able to give our car a successful jump. He didn’t want to take any money either, but we gave him the $10 anyway. We drove straight to buying a battery.

This situation made me think that motorists don’t stop like they used to help people. I wonder if it’s because there are too many crazy people out there or just because they are so self-consumed with their own life that they don’t think of others?

Did this post make you go hmm?

 Loading ...

• 12 years of lithium battery power — inside you
• 2300-foot sub sandwich aims for world record
• STOP if there is a man in your windshield, please!
• Best sub sandwiches in Pierce county
• Can’t get my mind out of the gutter today
• With minor modification, GBA batteries work with Nintendo DS