if you saw a man lying on the sidewalk face down infront of a bar what would you do?

I don't think idealistic is a good word to describe you in the situation; I'd use altruistic: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. The people who are giving you a hard time about this probably should take a Red Cross first aid/lifesaving course. The Red Cross still trains people to offer assistance to all those in need, regardless of circumstances.

IF I SAW A man lying on the sidewalk face down infront of a bar I would NOT DO anything at all. Assuming he came from the bar, drink too much and got drunk and slam outside the bar, finish. Your feeling is the same to person or people who gives alms to the poor on the outskirt of the road or sidewalk. YOU CANNOT FEED THE WHOLE COUNTRY or the whole community by giving your money away, what they need is motivation to work and a job not alms for a day. The usual saying " GIVE A MAN A FISH, and he will eat for a day. BUT TEACH A MAN how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."

I do not think what your motive is idealistic or idealism for that matter. For one you are not a charitable institution to see if everybody on the street is ok or not. What can you offer even if you check one by one the person(s) lying on the sidewalk face down? Can you provide them food if some how one or two is hungry and nothing to eat? Are you Gandhi or Christ walking around on earth preaching the good word of God? You got your own set of problems is it not? Do not tell me you got no personal problems like we all here do. DO NOT CARRY THE PROBLEM OF THE WORLD UNDER YOUR SHOULDER you are just one person just remember that.

No, I wouldn't say it's too idealistic if you really mean it.

For me, it would really depend on a lot of factors: who I was with, what part of town it was, if there was anybody else around, etc. If I was alone, I might be weary about it and stay back, but call the police to let them handle it. If there were other people around, I'd probably get closer because I'd feel safer having the support of others nearby. I agree with Jenny N's answer - being a woman, I'd definitely be cautious.

In any case, I don't think I'd completely ignore it.

I would go try and assist him. Geez, what the hell is wrong with people...so many people dont feel any desire to help others anymore. Besides, what if he was in a diabtic seizure or stroke or?? I am not saying id end my night to revolve around the stranger but id call the cops at least so they could find the proper resource to help him.

I would find out what he ordered... but Im a glass half full kind of guy...

no, that's just you being a good person, sorry next time i'll try and make it home before i pass out.