I have family in St Louis and when we talked to them they were debating going to a safe place. I didn't see where the guy was so wrong in offering his GF options. I read it 3 times and I guess I missed the part where he was being so inconsiderate. She was clearly upset, he was just showing her it wasn't the end of the world. In an emergency , the first thing you need to do is take stock of what you have and come up with a plan. If they needed to go to a safe place, why wasn't his offer acceptable?

Dr. Phil or somebody said that's the worst thing you can say to a woman in crisis...relax, calm down. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

If these people (if this scenario is actual) are both adults and older than about 25, then they both need Mo Howard to smack their heads together for 'em. She apparently is prone to histrionics, and he apparently thinks he was born to save the day. A clue, followed by a grip, would be swell ideas.

Okay, maybe saying "calm down" wouldn't be the best thing to do. However, I figured that I'd get jumped on if I went with my original idea "I'm here and I'll take care of everything". Of course, later after everything has calmed down, that could be followed up with a gentle discussion of what they can do to give her more confidence regarding what to do in future emergencies.

-Kuovonne

No. Because, given the limited amount of information that I have from the posting, much of what he offered was unnecessary.

There is no discussion of going to a shelter. And even if they do, what's wrong with his car? It's there because he just drove up. If he wants to save gas, he doesn't explain that.

As for the shoes, I think that her existing shoes (flip-flops) would be a much better choice than the ones he provides that are probably too big. Considering that they won't have to be walking through debris (it's a power outtage, not an earthquake) and that it isn't cold (or she wouldn't be wearing flip-flops to begin with), she would be far better off with flip-flops that ill fitting shoes without socks, which is a sure recipe for blisters.

The candles are a safety hazard.

The food might be nice, but she hasn't said that she's hungry.

That leaves the flashlights and cash as the only things that are really useful as far as I can tell without more information.

Yes, a "thank you" would have been nice on her part, and she should have been better prepared. However, I maintain that he was just reveling in the situation and he could also have behaved better. Even a bit more explaination on his part could have been better. (e.g. "I think we should go to a shelter, and we have to walk because my car is low on gas. These clothes will be more comfortable for you, and what is your shoe size? Let's take these sleeping bags along because they might not have enough at the shelter. Let's have a snack before we go. And I've got enough cash to see us through a couple of days.")

Oh, and she is his GF. I think that means that she is allowed to have a nervous breakdown in front of him. That's what good friends are for.

-Kuovonne

I think the this power out wasn´t a real emergency for the guy and story might be slightly biased. It seemed to me like he seized the opportunity to enjoy himself and play Mr Well-Prepared.
If it´s going to be an adventure then it could be an adventure for both of them. The guy was the one who could have turn the situation.He clearly missed an opportunity to make it easier for both of them.
BTW: I didn´t state that the girl was right. She wasn´t either. However I was sure that someone would point htat out.

Actually I´m not kidding. The girl was in distress. Crying her eyes out and trying to reach her boy friend sounds like a cry for help to me. Not being able to get the boyfriend on the phone added to the stress. Judging from the story the guy did not even try to help to decrease the stress. That would have been very high on the priority list. The way he offered help is a good way to add more stress until it was enough for her. The guy was in the position to do much better. He flunked on that one so he was wrong.
And yes, the girl should have been prepared or at least not [censored] him out. But she just wasn´t in the shape to act in a rational way. So maybe we should be prepared to deal distressed people too.

That's why I carry Duct-Tape!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Are you married? I am. The wife does not suck it up and deal with it.

That's freaking army talk. Not relationship talk. Men do that. That's what guys do. We get off on that. Nuances count here.

Wives and girlfriends do not and should not chew humble pie. Our job is to make their lives easier. Period. Maybe you should get out a little bit more.

Craig

If you have to coddle someone in a minor inconvenience like a power outage, how do you think they'll react if the SHTF? You aren't helping them by "making things easier", you're hurting them. You only help them by helping them learn. What happens to a SO if we're hurt, missing or dead and they've come to expect someone "yes dear" ing them. Do you think someone else will coddle them or take advantage of them. They're not second class citizens, and shouldn't be treated as such. This isn't the Victorian era.