My theory is that we see so much American shoot-em-up TV that we think we'll be raped, robbed and killed, or worse, have to testify, just for being courteous.

Even the police help to feed this fear: we are regularly reminded by the OPP to have a sign to "CALL POLICE" in our automobile safety kits. YetI've never heard them suggest to keep a sign asking "WHAT NUMBER TO CALL?" so we can be more prepared to safely pull over and ask.

So far, when I've stopped to see if someone needed help, I've felt it was okay to get out of the car. So far, I've been right. So far, I've only stopped to help persons of colour who happened to be male since it's well understood that society is obsessively fearful of this. And, so far, they all knew darn well that the alternator or transmission or carburetor had been near death for weeks.

To the chagrin of my loved ones, I will continue to go with my gut feeling. I don't always stop to help, but so far, I've always been glad I that did. Who said, "Practise random kindness and senseless acts of beauty"? It all started for me when I heard a story about putting spare change into expired parking meters. (Try it; it's a cheap grin. Don't do it if you fear wearing a smile on the sidewalk.)

Every bad experience in my life occurred when I second-guessed my instincts. So if someone wants to put, "shouldn't have stopped" on my tombstone -- just metaphorically as I'll be cremated -- they'll be correct. Those who say I shouldn't have helped will be mistaken.

CH.