What Ever Happened to a Helping Hand?

I sometimes wonder what society has come to. What for example, ever happened to a helping hand.

When you were in need you did not have to despair for someone would help in any manner they could. If you needed food they would give you a hot meal in exchange for manual labor. People did these things without expecting something in return. I know too, that times have gotten more dangerous.

You are course required to use caution. If your car breaks down or you have a flat tire.( luckily now there are cell phones), you never know if someone who is stopping will help or harm you. I know this day and age people do not want to get involved with certain things they forget to do their duty. To my way of thinking there is quite a difference between interference and involvement.

I saw an elderly woman fall while she was walking. I was appalled when people snickered then moved away. Not one person offered to help her until I tried to help the woman to her feet. She thanked me. I could see she was embarrassed. Yet, I was embarrassed more for the people around. I thought they should have been ashamed of themselves.

What upset me the most was that no one seemed to understand what was so wrong about that type of behavior. I know not everyone is like that; selfish, or won’t try to put themselves in other people’s shoes. Yet it seems unfortunately, that helpful people are now an exception rather than the rule. What does that say about our society today?