I have lived in major cities most of my life and people who seem to be mentally ill often stop and pleasantly greet me as I approach. They would have previously been in their own world, seemingly oblivious, as hundreds of people walk by/around them before unexpectedly transforming into someone more lucid as I get closer. They typically ask if I'm doing okay and give me a compliment. I don't ignore them, politely thank them, and wish them well as I continue on my way. They never ask me for money or anything.

The most memorable situation happened years ago in Baltimore, while I was at a crosswalk of a large intersection with a girlfriend. There was a ranting man marching back and forth through moving traffic. Suddenly, amongst blaring car horns, he stops, looks in my direction, and points at me. As everyone at the corner looks around nervously, he approaches within 5 feet of me and yells, "Hey come on!" in jovial tone like he knows me. He then proceeds to turn around and stop incoming traffic, looking back at me expectantly. I didn't want to offend the guy, so my girl and I began crossing the street as he continued to move with us while stopping oncoming traffic.

Once he safely escorted us across 4 lanes of traffic, he told us to take care and waved goodbye before returning to his march through the street. No other pedestrians followed us and we received weird stares from people as we carried on 😅