# Naked bleeding man on your porch at midnight: Let him in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 20, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319 "2011-01-20T14:33:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/21 "2011-01-20T16:16:50Z")
I can’t imagine not going out to offer first aid to someone in need and I don’t think the safety aspect would occur to me. Of course I’d be on the phone to emergency services so they’d know if anything untoward happened to me. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/22 "2011-01-20T16:17:25Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I’m curious, not to hijack the thread, but would opinions change if the person at the door was a female instead. Not for me. Naked, bleeding people who appear on my doorstep, regardless of their sex/race/ethnicity/etc are more likely than not potential dangers. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/23 "2011-01-20T16:21:29Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Not for me. Naked, bleeding people who appear on my doorstep, regardless of their sex/race/ethnicity/etc are more likely than not potential dangers. Personally, the first thing I think when I see someone naked and bleeding is, “Something bad happened to that person and he/she likely needs help,” not, “this person is out to harm me.” For example, I find it highly unlikely that such a person is going to have a weapon available. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/24 "2011-01-20T16:27:05Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > For example, I find it highly unlikely that such a person is going to have a weapon available. In the case of a carrier of blood borne disease, (s)he is covered with a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/25 "2011-01-20T16:29:37Z")
So I don’t mess with their bloody bits. Or if I feel compelled to–if it seems my rudimentary assistance might be the difference for someone in serious trouble–I put on the latex gloves in the regulation first aid kit. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/26 "2011-01-20T16:35:34Z")
Knowing the mother inside me I wouldn’t think twice about helping, including bringing him in once I called 911. He’s naked and bleeding for goodness sake! It might cost me my life but I can tell you my immediate reaction would be to bring him inside. At that time of the night my SO would be home so if I didn’t bring him in, the SO would anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/27 "2011-01-20T16:36:38Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Personally, the first thing I think when I see someone naked and bleeding is, “Something bad happened to that person and he/she likely needs help,” not, “this person is out to harm me.” I think it’s more of a question of “Whom/what are they running from, and will they bring doom upon people within my own household?”. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/28 "2011-01-20T16:36:55Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > But in your case, you were afraid of her enraged boyfriend, too. Wouldn’t it be different if it was just a naked bleeding woman who showed up? Maybe it changes a little then, but I am still calling 911 first and probably not going to go outside. Blood could be fake or someone elses, the person who did this could still be outside, it could be a setup, so many dangerous factors and the police respond very fast in my town. But yes I might not react cautious enough and I might endanger my family which would not be the wisest course. But 911 is still first no matter what. > [@spark240](#): > > So I don’t mess with their bloody bits. Or if I feel compelled to–if it seems my rudimentary assistance might be the difference for someone in serious trouble–I put on the latex gloves in the regulation first aid kit. Good for you, I doubt most people have latex gloves handy though. I might have a pair in my shop, might not. I think the box was used up. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/29 "2011-01-20T16:47:01Z")
Good point. I’m not sure what I’d do. I live in an apartment building so the whole porch issue doesn’t come up for me. Plus, we always have a doorman on duty so even if I did see someone bleeding outside, I wouldn’t have to deal with it alone… I’m not sure what I would do if it were just me, though. I think I’ve seen A Clockwork Orange one too many times to just let the guy in… ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/30 "2011-01-20T16:49:27Z")
> [@kapri](#): > > I picked the third option, but it’s possible I would let him in. Me too. It would depend on whether I was alone in the house and how agitated the guy seemed to be. Like if he was ringing my doorbell, knocking desperately calling for help vs. _pounding_ on the door and windows yelling that the demons were biting him as he pulled out clumps of his own hair. In most cases, it would be call 911, let him into the front hall (there is an interior door with locks, so I could let him in without letting him in). Give the guy a blanket and if he seemed calm and rational, bring out the first aid kit. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/31 "2011-01-20T16:49:46Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Good for you, I doubt most people have latex gloves handy though. If you don’t have a regulation first aid kit in your home and another in your vehicle, you should. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/32 "2011-01-20T16:50:33Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I’m curious, not to hijack the thread, but would opinions change if the person at the door was a female instead. Not in the least. Actually, for me it’d make me even more weary of the person if they were female. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/33 "2011-01-20T16:51:54Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I doubt most people have latex gloves handy though. They’re standard in First Aid kits. Do most people not have first aid kits? 😕 I didn’t realize. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/34 "2011-01-20T16:55:37Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Not in the least. Actually, for me it’d make me even more weary of the person if they were female. Too many women already in your life? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/35 "2011-01-20T16:56:18Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > If you don’t have a regulation first aid kit in your home and another in your vehicle, you should. > [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > They’re standard in First Aid kits. Do most people not have first aid kits? 😕 I didn’t realize. Might be worth starting a poll, but I doubt most people do. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/36 "2011-01-20T17:01:10Z")
I’ve been that man, except for the naked part, and if the first house hadn’t let me in I’d be dead (it was the only house within a mile.) This was a woman alone in a farm house at 5am and she let me in. I still have a debt to repay and will open my door to the first bloody person who asks. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/37 "2011-01-20T17:05:17Z")
[Poll: Do you have a First Aid Kit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=593870) ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/38 "2011-01-20T17:06:39Z")
BTDT. She was female, though my actions are the same regardless of gender. I never answer the door without a large-caliber firearm. Ever. Too many crazies in the world. My nominal vote would be stay inside, call 911, since you don’t know what events led to this situation and the perps could be nearby, but when you throw in freezing temps, well even I have to show a little compassion. The “victim” would be let in, and I’d let them know I’m helping them as long as they remain calm and not a problem. Start being a problem, out you go to await the po-po. I would not leave them alone, and they would not have the chance to see my family members. I help others in trouble all the time, but I don’t jeopardize my family when doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/39 "2011-01-20T17:20:10Z")
I would let him in. But I’m a big guy, and there is an aluminum bat beside the door, which would be in my hand, and a Rottweiler and Pit Bull would be standing beside me (both absolute pussies who just crave affection, but he wouldn’t know that.) What harm could he do? I suppose he could overpower me, but I’m betting naked, bleeding and potentially hypothermic would swing the odds in my favor. It would be hard to turn someone away who is in so much distress. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319/40 "2011-01-20T17:27:40Z")
We have a corridor in the shared area of the house, so for me I’d be happy to let them in there, where at least it’s not freezing, find a blanket I don’t mind getting a bit bloodstained , call an ambulance/whatever the operator wants to send, maybe give him a cup of tea if he looks too shivery and the emergency services are running slow. I’ll be wary, but he’ll be a bit limited on easy access weapon hiding places… We do have an intercom system though, sound only, and no way to visually check who’s there, so I suppose someone ranting incoherently that I didn’t know was naked and bleeding might not be able to get their needs across. It’s quite a dodgy area, but a main street, inner city, so there’s always a lot of other people around. I doubt anyone would manage to freeze invisibly here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-bleeding-man-on-your-porch-at-midnight-let-him-in/568319.md?page=3)