Some years ago, I attended a Yelp event. One of the participants, a woman, had too much to drink and was visibly struggling. She was unsteady and eventually wandered outside. A group of us were nearby, and I decided to make a quick run to a nearby store to grab her some water, hoping it might help.

I got the water and brought it over to her, thinking I was doing a good deed. But instead of accepting it, she reacted negatively. She started saying hurtful and insulting things. Even so, I tried to remain patient and help her. I figured the alcohol was doing the talking, possibly mixed with some deeper personal issues she may have been dealing with. I even offered to get her a cab to make sure she got home safely.

She continued to direct insults my way. At that point, I decided it was best to remove myself from the situation. I left her to handle things on her own and headed home. Regardless of the circumstances, treating someone who is trying to help you with disrespect is not something anyone should have to accept.

The next day, this woman began speaking negatively about me to others in the Yelp group. Somehow I had become the problem in her circle, despite everything I had tried to do to help. I have no idea how the situation got twisted the way it did, but that was the reality.

After that, I began to distance myself from most of those people. I kept a few friendships, but even those eventually faded. That was likely connected to whatever was being said about me. They were her friends first, so their loyalty understandably leaned in her direction regardless of what actually happened.

The funny thing is, I cannot even remember her name. Even if I did, I would not share it. But I will not forget how I was treated that night.