” Oh, so it will be some sausage to the dog, says the man, who stands and hanging next to the hot dogger at the centre for international competitiveness. I pick up my phone and looking for a number to swisha. The man helps.

” yes, it is the number that stands there? he asks and points to a sign of korvförsäljaren. And korvförsäljaren, which may well bring its own action, respond that it is the right number. Just to swisha.

– 18 crowns? wonder man but I proved to be in any need of help. I am already started with swishandet.

, repeat, the man happily, and I wonder why he thinks he needs to explain. I show the phone to korvförsäljaren while the self-proclaimed advocate trying to look over my arm to make sure that everything is right. He did not succeed, but lets not be discouraged.

” It’s clear he’ll have a sausage! “says the man to my dog (a bitch).

I agree with him, receiving the sausage, and gather the leash to go from there.

it was a long time ago I was a self-proclaimed helpers. Sooner were they here, there and everywhere, they where understimulerade people who liked to just exchange a few words.

They could hang at his bike outside of the Konsum. Or had they stayed at the kiosk after they bought the cigarettes and the evening newspaper. They were extremely annoying for a shy child or a self-conscious teen. But are they left? Årstavikens helper was the first one I’ve met in many years.

Helena Sjödin Öberg is the editor of the DN, and have just acquired a bike which is to replace the tunnelbaneresorna to work. Now it is spring. Also read her columns about the trendriktig dystopia and the challenges of Ebba Grön to stay sober in a school canteen in Upplands Väsby.