Is anyone with me?

Not anymore, everyone expects to be paid. We live in a very greedy, self-absorbed world, it seems no one wants to do anything for anyone anymore just out of the kindness of their heart. It's sad and it seems to be getting worse by the year. I don't know where the world went so wrong, but I know for a fact whenever I have asked for any help, I'd better make sure I have money to pay or they'll turn and walk away.

That is so sad. At least she was fortunate to have one of the good people in the world be on her path that day.

Your random act of kindness is commendable.  She was showing her gratitude by trying to reward you with a few dollars. Nothing wrong with that! I understand what you are saying, a hand shake, smile or a hug would work just as well but some people like to buy you lunch instead. I live in an area of the country where tipping is customary, I don't like feeling obliged to do it, and often don't. I wouldn't have offered you money for helping me pick up cans from under my car, I would have known that you were doing it out of the goodness of your heart. This is just the way life is, no big deal. Greed has nothing to do with it.

George~

PS...that will be 5.00 for my reply!

the whole word is just going crazy, i dont see the need to get paid to help someone, it just shows how the world is now.

You did the right thing. Don't fret about the people that are too selfish to not do what you did.

God bless.

George...I wasn't offended that she had offered me money, I was sadend by it.  I understand that some people offer a reward, but I just wish that it didn't have to be that way.

Hi KR,
You received very good answers (thumbs up to all).  I loved Annette's answer.   In a sense you are a "nature reserve" being so different and so HUMAN.  I'll tell you a secret: If I was there I would react exactly in the same way as you did.  G-d bless you my friend !. 
Best regards,

About the men who laughed. I can understand laughing, but they should have helped.

Somethimes things like that just strike you as funny. One time my brother had a hot drink (some type of grape juice drink my wife made) and he saw me standing on a basketball and thought "that looks easy, I can do that" he got up and hopped on and the ball, it spun out from under him, and he flipped to the floor, hot drink dumped. He was clearly in pain holding his back -- I ran to try to help him and see if he could get up, but his wife could not stop laughing. I became quite angry that she found this funny.

If you're wondering, he's okay. It just upset me that she laughed. She loves him very much and would do anything for him. But the comical tumble he took, especially since he was so confident, just busted her up uncontrollably. Still to this day she can't suppress a chuckle thinking about it.

So my point is just that laughing isn't maybe revealing poor character or even rudeness, but I think the three men should have stopped to help the torn bag lady, and all the more so after laughing.