DEAR ABBY: This past weekend I was walking at the mall and encountered a gentleman in a wheelchair. I was walking down a long, graduated slope as he was coming up. I offered to assist him, and he politely declined.
My question is, what is the proper thing to do when offering to assist? Is it rude, and is someone offended when offered a helping hand? -- JUST TRYING TO HELP
DEAR JUST TRYING: I don't think it is ever offensive to offer a helping hand. What can be counterproductive is when a good Samaritan does something without first asking -- such as grabbing the arm of a sightless person and attempting to help the individual across a street -- which can be not only frightening but possibly unnecessary.