If you had a flat tire in a "country" side, how would you have handled this matter?

Question

I had a flat tire recently on a highway in a semi-populated "country" side (so, it's not exactly a ghost town) going back to home from work around 5pm. I travel this route 5 days a week to commute to work, so I am familiar with this area. (There is decent traffic on this route.) Unfortunately on that very same day, I had forgotten my cell phone. Double bad luck.

So, how would you have handled this matter?

A) Would have signaled for help to an oncoming car?

B) Walk a mile where the nearest gas station is located (the nearst open business to public)?

C) Walk to the housing subdivision which is within "walking" distance (less than 500 ft).

I chose C. This is a non-gated middle class housing subdivision, so it was well kept. I make about 30K, and I dressed descently with well-kept appearance as I always do. I am Asian. As a stranger, I entered the subdivison and knocked on several doors hopefully someone could help me. I found out pretty soon, it wasn't a good idea. more...

Answer 1

I would have walked to the nearest gas station unless I was very hot and just needed to talk to someone to get help.  Then I would have went to the subdivision and asked someone to call the 1-800 number for my insurance company's roadside assistance.  (I would NOT step inside their home or accept a beverage.)  

The couple in their 20's is full of drama.  OMG!  You *gasp* knocked on a pregnant woman's door.  They need to get over it.  All they had to do was call the cops and report a suspicious person.  Instead they're sitting in their PJs bawling over the phone to the neighbor that some Asian guy is knocking on their door trying to kill them.  :p  I grew up out in the country where each home had about 2 acres of land.  I was cautious, but I never acted like a freakin' sissy.

Answer 2

Why did you need to go anywhere?

You should have changed the tire yourself. I would have at least TRIED. Usually if people see you on the side of the road trying to do something like that they will stop and ask if you need help.

I would never have gone to someone's house, unless it was only to ask to use the phone. Knowing there was a gas station nearby, I would have walked there if I tried and couldn't get the tire off myself. A mile IS within walking distance.

Answer 3

I would first try to park safely and turn on my hazard lights.  Then, I would look for a phone, since I have AAA membership.  (Highways in my area often have emergency phones within walking distance.)  If I can't find a public phone easily, I would probably stay inside my car for up to 15 minutes to see if a patrol car or fellow driver might stop and help.  If a police officer stops, then great.  If it's not an officer, I may or may not ask for, or accept, help -- depending on whether I feel safe.  By "help," I mean borrowing a phone.  I would not ask someone to change my tire for me.  I would try to do it myself or walk a mile to the nearest gas station.

I don't know why you pointed out that you were Asian.  I am Asian, too.  How is our ethnicity relevant?  Were you implying that people should not see you as threatening, or were you implying that some of the people you encountered were racist?

Answer 4

I would have done the same thing. Though I'm fairly sure your race had nothing to do with it. But more the fact that you were a stranger in their neighborhood. I wouldn't take it personally. I would simply go on with life and next time, remember your phone! Glad you made it home!

Answer 5

I would do the same which I did once in the past. The first house I asked for help did help me by letting me use their phone.