Would you take in a stranger?

[crashdive123]

Oh yeah. I'm sure that would work. **Bamm! Ouch!**

[trax]

Wait a minute. Bulrush implied male but what if it's a female. He did say stranger. Would you take in a female?

I don't think gender should factor into peoples' answers. If someone's a threat, that's it, that person is a threat. A woman can squeeze a trigger just as easily as a man can, or cut a throat or whatever.

[Sourdough]

I don't think gender should factor into peoples' answers. If someone's a threat, that's it, that person is a threat. A woman can squeeze a trigger just as easily as a man can, or cut a throat or whatever.

If she is nice enough to have brought a case of beer under each arm. She can avoid the cavity search. Be there will be a strip search for contraband fake Twinkies. If she is caught with contraband Twinkies. Well the law is the law.

[ATough]

It all depends on the person, my gut feeling, and a few questions to be answered by the person at my door. so I don't know until it happens.

[Chris]

I would more readily take in a woman than a man, however a family (hence, something to lose) would be much more likely to be taken in. Even if it is more mouths to feed.

People I knew before SHTF also would receive more consideration. Family & friends of course.

There is no substitute for blood relations.

[crashdive123]

Several have said it would depend on the situation and their "gut". Those are my feelings as well. Here's a few more things that I would consider or want to find out more about. Male - demeanor, background, ability to contribute, need. Female - same as male. Also, is she a decoy. (Many years of hitchhiking in my youth - it was much easier to get a ride with a female decoy).

Chris: you said with the family there is more to lose. You must also consider there is more to protect. If it's me they see as an obstacle to that protection, they may be more motivated.

I would help family and friends without question. I would like to think that I would help anybody I could. But I am definately a big believer in "trust but verify".

[Catfish]

Twice in my life I've found myself, through my own carelessness, in bad situations which would have been immeasurably worse had it not been for the kindness of strangers who decided to trust me in order to help me. I'll never forget that, or them.

So would I help anyone? No, I'd go with the gut instinct to which others refer. If I don't like the look of you, you're on your way. But unless I really think there's a good reason not to, then yeah, if I have food and you're hungry, I'll share it with you.

[beerrunner13]

No, I can't see anyone makeing it to my door step if I don't know them.

[canid]

same here catfish, on all counts. i'm pretty trusting and eager to help people, but that's part of the reason i have maintain security advantages at home and on my person, in one way or another.

also, there's always something useful that another body could do to help out.

[FVR]

Nope, Nada, just not going to happen.

I'm a family man, ya not part of the family, git ta steppin. Ol Buck Shot has his eye on you.

Wait a minute "shessh honey, we have to feed the dogs, I'll just grind him up they won't be able to tell. Oh sir, come on in."

[canid]

and see; that's a 100-300lb contribution to the household. how could you turn that down? there's always something.

[catfish10101]

Aside from SOME blood relatives, there are about 2 people in this world I would take in. It would be hard for me to risk my family on a "gut feeling". I might hand them a plate of food but they will be left outside to eat and will be asked to move on as soon as they are done.

[Rick]

Hey, Hopeak. I sent in my quarterly tax check last month. Does that count? I have no idea who that's helping.

[Sarge47]

Really Sarge? See, I think it's dependent on who shows up, there aren't a helluvalot of people I'm afraid of and if people are going hungry...that goes against my principles. So, I couldn't say a percentage one way or the other. My Mom told me about how during the '30's these guys would show up and split firewood or whatever for her family in exchange for a meal. My Grandpa was long gone (jackass) so it was Grandma and the kids and these guys were all just decent guys lookin' to eat. I know, people's values seem to have declined a lot since those days, but if the guy turns out to be trouble, I'm pretty sure I can handle it. I've never met someone who's bulletproof.

1st, you need to understand that it would be a GROUP decision that the family would make; 2nd, been there, done that with someone I did know for three years and it was a total disaster; not to mention killing a great friendship! 3rd, female MIGHT make a difference, but I'd highly doubt it. What your mom described is a completely different situation as it was "work for food", not indefinate lodging. Also the times and people were a lot different back then.

[nell67]

I have , it seems 2 drunks and a suburban are no match for 36" of snowfall,they slept on the floor,next day they helped clear the driveway,and 2 days later one came back and offered $20 and 2 packs of cigarettes for taking them in and feeding them,worked out ok that time.

[dilligaf2u2]

First off : How did he get that close without the dog telling me and I removing his will to come forward, from a distance?

Second: He is a stranger! Stranger then what? Just how strange a guy is this? I mean he would have to be really strange for me to take him in.

Third : If I do not have to feed him, then I might barter with him to do some work but do I really want him seeing how well prepared I am or the house is?

Don

[bulrush]

If a stranger, man or woman, came to me with a bunch of non-perishable food and said "Here, if you take me in I will add all this to our cache and we can share."

That would show:
- That they have an idea about fairness.
- That they understand we have to work together to get through this.
- That they are taking a chance by making the first offer, and making the first move to trust in me. That shows guts.

So then I might consider it on a trial basis, but since it is my house, if things don't work out, they must leave.

Yes, there are a lot of things to consider before I would take in a stranger. If he is starving, how calm is he? Can he control his temper or is he off his rocker desparate?

[nell67]

And they know way too much about your cache,how did they know you even had a cache?

[bulrush]

I didn't say they knew about your cache beforehand. Let's say they just saw you walking around one day and decided to approach you. But yeah, you should have your cache hidden away in the house, perhaps, so other people will not find it so easily.

[marberry]

if i was in the city , no . if i was in the country , yes .