Just wondering

As I was entering my building this morning, a gentleman I'd not seen before was headed out. He was coming from the cafe and he was holding a container of food in his left hand with an apple balanced on top. He was using a cane with his right hand.

I could tell at a glance that the need for a cane was not due to an injury; rather it was something he had utilized for some time. Nevertheless, there were two sets of double doors between him and the parking lot. I stopped and asked if I could get the door for him. He replied that no, he could manage just fine.

He wasn't struggling, and I didn't want to press the issue, so I continued on towards my office. As we approached each other he said "Thank you very much!", and as we passed added, "That was so very nice of you to offer!" His tone that implied that, perhaps, offers of assistance were not all that common.

It made me wonder. Do we walk through life without really "seeing” other people? Or can we simply not be bothered to lend a hand?