WOW! Reading this post made me feel like we are living in a busy city somewhere in the US! I always offer rides to people on my way, granted they are not "four early teenage-hood boys". I will; like Ghassan; go out of my way for the elderly, I don't mind! Its not like I go to crowded bus-stops and start shouting "free ride"! but if I come across someone trying to catch a cab I would offer a ride or at least a drop-off to an area where it would be easier to catch one!

A couple of days ago, four early teenage-hood boys came to me as i was stopped at a traffic light, they wanted a ride up the hill. i said that it might not be a very good idea.

i wondered why i declined to give them a ride: 1. i feared for myself, 2. i feared that if i had an accident i was liable for the lives of four boys, 3. they might say i offered them the ride to lure them into some nastiness.

i am with Razano, we do not do that in Amman; give rides to anyone. Amman is a city and becomeing a metropolitan one at that, people come from all walks of life, and in such environments we do not give rides to strangers. There are exception to the rules, but as a rule- do not give rides to strangers.

do what! didn't get it, I drive people all the time if their on my way.. ok, I really didn't get your point, there was an old lady walking, you offered a ride, and she's safe at home now.. what exactly it is that is unusual to do in Amman about that?