Hospitality fading...

[refugepsa91]

I live in a small town, and I have to tell you I always believed that people here were kind and friendly. But lately, over the last few years, I have seen a very sad decline in the number of people willing to help. A great decline the in number of people who even care.

I work with the public, so I usually get a first hand dose of the so called "kindness". Everyone is in such a hurry to go nowhere that they don't care who they step on to get there. Being friendly to people seems to be the least of their worries, is this because they are wrapped up in self?

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to recieve. Acts 20:35

I'm walking into the grocery store the other day, I clear the door and there is this little old lady trying to get to the exit. She has one hand on her cart, and the other trying to pull her walker along with her, you see she can't carry her bag and walk with her walker at the same time. People were going around her And giving her a look that said "geez move I'm in a hurry". So heres this poor little lady trying to get out and stay out of everyones way at the same time. I walked up to her and asked her if I could help her, the look of surprise on her face proved to me thats not offered very often. I was so angry that I had no problem blocking the doorway getting her cart out of the way and carrying her groceries, I also made sure she took her time getting out the door. We held up a few people, and boy did they grumble, even my "you should be ashamed of yourself" look didn't faze them. You see she and I were labeled the "rude" ones for holding them up.

The love of this world is waxing cold. I am seeing it more and more everyday. The old and weak are considered a burden and a hinderance to our fast lifestyle. Its becoming an inconvience to wait just a minute.

Now is it just me or does anyone else notice this? I would love to hear stories from others.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[Constant]

I have a story:

At the gym I go to, you are supposed to wipe down your equipment after you use it (cardio machines). No one ever does. I always do. One day after I got off of the treadmill, I went and got the cleaner and a rag and was wiping down the equipment and I saw a girl get off her treadmill and not wipe it down, so I went over and wiped it down for her. One of the staff members saw what I was doing and thanked me greatly for being so kind. It felt good to do that.

Another one:

My husband and I were at the Smith Machine at the gym and the leg sleigh that is right next to the Smith Machine had 2 100lb. plates on them. Who ever was using it, left the plates on. Two girls wanted to use it but, it was obvious that they couldn't lift the plates to take them off. My husband took them off for them and then appologized to them for the rudeness and disrespect of others. They were very greatful for his kindness and help.

We are alwyas like that though. My husband opens the door for people when we go somewhere, he will be holding the door open at a store and let everyone through. He could be there for 5 minutes and he doesn't mind.

We are always willing to help people, even if they don't ask. I am sure they will let us know if we bother them. So many people are surprised when we do help them, like they don't get it alot.

[Guest stevej]

Several months ago my wife, grandbaby and I were making a trip to the doctors office about 60 miles away. There was about 3hours in between appointments. We went to a resturant after the babys appointment and then to a book sotre in the shopping strip next to the first doctors office. The transportation company was to return to pick us up when we called.

The temperature as hovering around 100. My wife is wheelchair bound and Marie (our grandbaby) was 7 months old. We knew we were in trouble before we got to the bookstore. Lisa could not navigate thru the store on her own and I was pushing a stroller as well. I was very disturbed because there were at least 20 employees of the store working and no one could be bothered to help. Finally we made our purchases and called the transport company. By regulation they have to pick us up where they dropped us off.

The transportation company did not inform us that it would be an hour before they would return. We headed back to the doctors office. We were moving across the parking lot with me taking care of the stroller and using the power control to move Lisa. It became an agonizing trip. Thinking the transport company would be there shortly, we decided to just wait outside until they arrived. We were parked in front of a Gym because the ramp was there. After 10 minutes the manager of the Gym came out and invited us in out of the heat and offered water. We initially had water and a little shade so we thanked the manager and waited outside wome more. 10 minutes later the owner and the manager came out with water and insisted we get into the cool. We are very grateful to the kindness of those fine folks.

It is not unusual for people who are not sensitive to the needs of the elderly or handicapped to feel they are being put out by those in need. We have experienced this in many different situations. I am grateful for those who take the time to look at the situation and see what they can do to help.

Steve

[Christ's Free Servant]

Matthew 24:12-13: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

It's a sign of the times we live in and a sign of the nearness of Christ's return. I think technology plays a big role in this. This present generation was raised on TV, video games, etc. and lived in households where TV replaced family time and children were raised by people other than their parents.

[refugepsa91]

We are always willing to help people, even if they don't ask. I am sure they will let us know if we bother them. So many people are surprised when we do help them, like they don't get it alot.

Yepp, you can tell by the looks on their faces, its sad really and everytime I see that look I lose a little more hope for mankind. But Jesus is our hope and faith so that makes me feel better.

It is not unusual for people who are not sensitive to the needs of the elderly or handicapped to feel they are being put out by those in need. We have experienced this in many different situations. I am grateful for those who take the time to look at the situation and see what they can do to help.

Steve

I'm glad you got help on that day. I cannot even imagine seeing you and your wife (with grandbaby) in this situation and not offering assistance. But I have seen it firsthand where people will walk around those that need help...its worse now I think, I grew up and saw examples all the time when I was little of people getting help from their neighbors. Or the elderly having their groceries carried to their car for them...not anymore.

It's a sign of the times we live in and a sign of the nearness of Christ's return. I think technology plays a big role in this.

I sure know that people are becoming desensitized to others problems.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[mikado5001]

The world has become a very cold, dark place. It is becoming easier to surrender to the darkness. Hatred replaces love. Nastiness replaces kindness. Shelfish replaces selfless. Anger overcome joy. Sadness triumphs over joy. And worst of all darkness destroys light. This is one rip current that we must swim out of. Do not drown under the riptide that is darkness. Swim towards the light.

I get this attitude all the at work. Nasty folks day in and day out. Bless the ones who help. And pray for those who won't.

When the tide of life turns against you,

And the current upsets my boat.

Just turn your eyes up to the LORD!

He'll keep your boat afloat!

-Apologies to Ed Norton

[Guest leesw]

Yeah, I wish for the days of Mayberry. It would be great to live in a town like that....for the most part. Churches should be like that....except for the Otis Campbell character.

[Imamom]

I am happy to say that the grocery store it the little town that my mom lives in gives a service to the elderly and handicapped or persons that have lots of little tykes with them. The employees will take the groceries to the car for those who have difficulties. It is an awesome service that benefits many who shop there. Sad that places like that are so few and far between.

[DaBronx]

I live in a small town, and I have to tell you I always believed that people here were kind and friendly.

Edited August 22, 2005 by DaBronx

[Elisabeth]

I used to work for a company that was the epitome of customer service, thanks to the company owner/president. It was amazing how people did not trust us or believe us. They had become so cynical because they had been cheated or deceived one too many times. They were often amazed at how well we treated them as a customer.

I think customer service is at an all-time low. I'm so tired of businesses treating me like they are doing me a favor when I am spending money at their establishment.

I now work in an area with many international visitors. The other day, there was a young man with a map who was obviously lost. He barely spoke English, but I helped him figure out where to go. It probably took no more than 30 seconds. You would have thought I had handed him $50. He was so happy and so grateful, which made me feel good! I was so glad that I did not pass him by.