Manners used to maketh man =- but not any more!

I do still often find that people are helpful.

In particular I was SO grateful to the lovely man who so kindly carried my suitcase up the stairs at Vauxhall station. Although still quite capable, after coming by train all the way from Dijon I was extremely weary.

I'm a wheelchair user.
All the positive discrimination has meant that people are wary to "insult my right to independence" by offering help.

I suspect that this perception of an implied insult may also be why older people aren't helped.

We should all offer to do what we can.

When I'm waiting for the bus in town, there is no such thing as forming a queue any more. The bus comes and people surge from all directions and push their way on. We British used to be the masters of the queue

Surely the simplest and most respectful way to offer assistance is to just ask the person if would they like some help with whatever the issue is? It is then up to the person to accept or decline the offer. On the whole I find people are helpful and I make a point of accepting or declining any offer of help very politely and appreciatively.