Just Do it.

I missed a really good opportunity to help someone when I was in Belgium and all because I was embarrassed.  I feel hideously inadequate when I am in a foreign country where I can't speak the language and consequently do not want to speak.

We were walking along a cobbled street and I noticed an older man in a wheelchair.  He was making very slow progression, I wasn't even sure whether he was trying to get anywhere. I commented to CBC about the poor man and wondering if I should go and help offer to push him along.  CBC was very non-committal and I left it whilst we were looking in a shop.  When we came out, we walked on and then I remembered the man.  I glanced back to see him still there and I commented again.  CBC got a bit ratty with me and said, "Stop feeling guilty, do something or don't." And I gave into my embarrassment, my awkwardness about talking to foreigners who might not understand me. But I felt bad about it.
I forgot about it after a while as we were sitting in a cafe. We sat there for at least half an hour.  And then CBC looked out the window and commented that there he was.  He'd taken ALL that time to come along the street.  I felt utterly wretched about how hard that must have been for him. Feeling wretched is not the same as helping someone.  I think awkwardness at my own feelings  of inadequacy in language skills is a paltry excuse for not helping someone who genuinely needed some help.   As I thought that I should help him, some kind soul saw his efforts to cross the road, stopped and spoke to him and pushed him off quickly along the street. And there I saw the good Samaritan in action, just like that. No embarrassment, just a simple offer and then the deed was done. 

Just DO IT! Stop being awkward and embarrassed about helping- that's me all over.  Just do it! Take the plunge.  After all, they can only refuse.