I’m conflicted. For trivial charities, I find I can count on strangers in American cities. Where’s the stairs to the subway, which line to take - I’ve even had people let me navigate using their phones before.
But safety wise, in America’s largest urban hubs, I feel very alone. I have little confidence that if I lit someone’s violent spark on New York public transit that I would be assisted. Probably even less confident on the BART. Or if someone just robbed me in broad daylight.
If I was walking my dog and a stranger sauntered up and kicked her, I’m more confident that I’d get a mob of people on my side compared to if they walked up and kicked me.
So what do I do?
If I’m even passingly familiar with the person, I will rush to their aid.
If it’s a stranger?
Suppose I see a Pretty Russian Woman wailing on the street after a person ran over her dog. I think I’d probably at least see if I could help.
If it was an unkempt, large man… then what?
I can generate arguments like “oh nooo the risk is totally different that guy could be dangerous he doesn’t trim his beard” but they feel like rationalizations. I’ll keep this in mind going forward, and maybe holler at the guy from a safe distance.
"Playing loud music" is now my favorite euphemism.
greatest thread in the history of doesthedogdie.com, locked after 12119 pages of "no"
I’m conflicted. For trivial charities, I find I can count on strangers in American cities. Where’s the stairs to the subway, which line to take - I’ve even had people let me navigate using their phones before.
But safety wise, in America’s largest urban hubs, I feel very alone. I have little confidence that if I lit someone’s violent spark on New York public transit that I would be assisted. Probably even less confident on the BART. Or if someone just robbed me in broad daylight.
If I was walking my dog and a stranger sauntered up and kicked her, I’m more confident that I’d get a mob of people on my side compared to if they walked up and kicked me.
So what do I do?
If I’m even passingly familiar with the person, I will rush to their aid.
If it’s a stranger?
Suppose I see a Pretty Russian Woman wailing on the street after a person ran over her dog. I think I’d probably at least see if I could help.
If it was an unkempt, large man… then what?
I can generate arguments like “oh nooo the risk is totally different that guy could be dangerous he doesn’t trim his beard” but they feel like rationalizations. I’ll keep this in mind going forward, and maybe holler at the guy from a safe distance.