It's always a tricky scenario but I guess it all depends on the circumstances and one's gut feeling.

A couple of years ago my better half and I were driving home from work when we noticed an elderly gentleman lying on the lawn by the side of the road not far from where we lived. There were other people around, several pedestrians, everybody was looking at the poor guy but nobody stopped to help.

We pulled over and got out of the car. I felt a little uncomfortable about the situation, not knowing if it was just a random drunk that happened to pass out or someone in need of real medical assistance. I went closer to check anyway. The man was completely helpless and barely able to speak. I could see he'd had a drink or two, but he seemed very frail, unable to move or help himself.

It was a very hot day so I thought he may have suffered a stroke. Ruling that out I checked if he had hurt himself during the fall. He was all right other than a bruise or two, no broken bones at least. So I helped him get up. In fact, I had to lift him up all by myself, then carry him some way into the shade.

A few minutes later he managed to tell me his address, which was literally just next door. I helped him get home, by which time he was feeling well enough that he could manage on his own. As he was unlocking the door one of his neighbors showed up. It turned out she had been watching all the time. And she said I did a really good thing. Well, I wondered how come she didn't do anything about it, like maybe calling 911? I guess good Samaritans are in short supply these days.