Disability Travel - How to not help someone when asked to help.

I know the tile of this thread is strange. That's because the topic is strange. About a year and a half ago, I had some surgery and was not allowed to lift luggage. I was only temporarily disabled. My carry on item on the plane was a small backpack which I could lift without a problem. As I got settled in my seat an old lady, actually not a whole lot older than I am, tapped my shoulder and asked me if I could help her by stowing her carry on. I tried to explain to her than I couldn't, but she pleaded with \ such a helpless look in her eyes. So, against my better judgment, I lifted her carry on and put it in the overhead bin. I felt a little discomfort, which I tried to ignore and not think what it might do. Then an older man, probably her husband came and sat next to me. By now I had settled down in my seat again and called my wife to talk to her and my kids before we took off. I was going away for 10 days. My son had not come back from school yet and that she would call me when he got back from school. As soon as I hung up, the man asked me if he could use my cell phone to tell their son that they got on the plane alright. I said NO, I had to keep the phone free as I was expecting a call from my son, which was the truth. "Oh it will only take a minute. We just want to tell him that we are OJ. Otherwise he will worry". What would you do?

Run for your LIFE, we all know what OJ did..:D Just joking, I think that you handled it the way it should have been..

Question: "May I use your phone."
Answer: "Sorry. I'm expecting a call."
Plea: "Oh. But this will only take a minute."
Answer: "Sorry. I'm expecting a call."

Question: "Could you help me?"
Answer: "Sorry. I'm unable to lift luggage on doctors orders."
Plea: [Sad puppy eyes]
Answer: [Ignore]

I agree 100% with jib. Some people have a LOT of nerve. No way would I let a stranger use my cellphone, I'm too germophobic.

You're just going to have to stand your ground and say, "Sorry, I can't". She will find someone else, or the FA will stow it below (in the hold).

Thank you all for responding. All ofyou unanimously said I should stand my ground. I am afraid I tricked you all. I did not tell you what I did in the end. After I had finished talking to my wife and my children, there was still time before we took off. I let them use my cell phone to call their son.
I do agree with all of you though. I don't like being put in a position to say "NO".
I would never ask for such favours. When someone really needs help, it's different. here, the situation was of their own making. They could have packed lightly, brought their own phone, or done what we all did when cell phones did not exist. I have walked 20 miles rather than ask someone for a ride. I have to learn to say "NO" without feeling guilty.

it's not easy if you're not used to it! :p

For me at least, it is pretty similar to saying no to/ignoring the touts at various airports. It's one thing when someone really needs your help and another when they are just trying to use you.

I understand that no one wishes to refuse to assist strangers who ask for help. However, sometimes it is necessary to protect yourself and/or your belongings. Thirty years ago I would have risked personal injury in order to help someone put their carry-on in overhead storage. Then a good friend took me in hand and introduced me to the word "no". I stood in front of my mirror and practiced saying that word over and over. It is one of the most useful words in my vocabulary. I certainly try to be helpful to people when I can do so without injuring myself, draining financial resources from my own family or using valuable time I do not have to donate.

I would probably have let them use the cell phone after my calls were completed, but I would not have risked injury by placing the carry-on in the overhead. It is foolish to risk hurting yourself.

Question: "May I use your phone."
Answer: "Sorry. I'm expecting a call."
Plea: "Oh. But this will only take a minute."
Answer: "Sorry. I'm expecting a call."

Question: "Could you help me?"
Answer: "Sorry. I'm unable to lift luggage on doctors orders."
Plea: [Sad puppy eyes]
Answer: [Ignore]

+1, please know that others are available to help and that nearly all would understand your responses.

I think Mr. Bean has it right. With practice comes comfort, so don't hesitate to do the right thing by yourself. BTW: love the tout analogy.

+1, please know that others are available to help and that nearly all would understand your responses.

I think Mr. Bean has it right. With practice comes comfort, so don't hesitate to do the right thing by yourself. BTW: love the tout analogy.

+2

Sure. I just ran out of minutes on my prepaid phone. Can you give me $20 to put some minutes on? ;)