This happened earlier tonight and I want an outside opinion.
My girlfriend and I were leaving my university accommodation when a young girl who was probably no older than 16 approached us in the rain. She said her phone was water damaged and she couldn’t call a taxi to get home. She looked quite young and said she lived a few towns away.
We were hesitant at first but she seemed genuinely stuck, so we agreed to help. Since the building entrance was right next to us, we went into the main lobby so she could get out of the rain while we tried to arrange a taxi. For context, the lobby is keycard access only, and without a card you can’t get into any student areas, only the lobby itself.
Once inside, I asked the security receptionist if she could call a taxi for the girl. She said it wasn’t her job and told us to do it ourselves.
We then sat in the lobby and called local taxi companies until one agreed to take her home.
When the taxi arrived, we walked the girl outside and she left. When we came back into the lobby, the security guard asked if we knew her. We said no, as we had just met her, and she then told us we weren’t allowed to bring unknown people into the building and that it was against policy, and is a danger to students.
We explained that the girl was stranded, soaking wet, and was only in the lobby briefly so we could call a taxi. The guard said it didn’t matter and that policy had been broken.
I understand that rules exist for a reason, but
we felt helping her was the right thing to do given the situation. AITA for letting her into the lobby to help her, even though it was technically against the rules?
What would these discompassionate a-holes say if she was assaulted RIGHT outside the door??
NTA
NTA – guard was on a power trip
NTA, something can be against the rules but still the right thing to do. No students were endangered by a 16-year-old in the lobby supervised by two students and a security guard.
NTA. You’re allowed to have guests, right? She was your guest. The school has no way of policing how well you know someone you invite in.
Especially on a college campus where people are supposed to make friends with total strangers.
And they didn’t let her wander around. She was in the company of a resident at all times.
NTA. The security guard has to say that, it’s their job. Don’t worry about it, you did the right thing.
NTA, sometimes doing the *right thing* means bending (or breaking!) a rule. No one was harmed and she was escorted. The security guard was present.
If my 16 year old daughter needed help, I sincerely hope there’s someone like you around to make sure she gets home safe and sound.
“Doin’ the right thing, is never the wrong thing”- Ted Lasso.
Definitely NTA. The security receptionist is one though. On behalf of the girl’s parents, thank you for helping her out. Honestly I would report the receptionist to her supervisor for such an uncaring attitude
NTA, because you stayed right with her. She was essentially your guest, and you escorted her the whole time, including makingsure she left. If you had badged her in and left her unsupervised in the lobby, that would be different.
NTA. It’s not like y’all let her in and just left. Security is having a power trip.
That security guard is an absolute monster. You brought a child, a Lost scared and cold child, in out of the rain and made sure she got home safe. You’re a freaking hero. NTA and I hope that security guard gets the karma he deserves.
NTA. You didn’t simply ‘let her in’. You ESCORTED her in and stayed with her in the lobby. She was there as your guest, simple as.