I didn’t see what befell the old man, but he’s being helped off the highway crossing by two others as I walk around the corner. He doesn’t appear to know his helpers and doesn’t acknowledge either. As soon as he reaches the curb, he grabs hold of a railing and tries to support himself.
I try to work out what has happened before I offer help. Is the man hurt or in shock or just slow? Was one of the men who helped him off the road a friend? Did the two of them have the situation under control and would they resent interference. Two men and a woman in business suit approach from behind me and offer their help. There’s a hospital just across the road – I wonder if that’s where he came from – would he like them to take him there? It seems to me that the old man really wants to be left alone with a chance to redeem his pride, and he has enough assistance so I go on my way, but with a smile.
Too often I write about how life in Australia frustrates me. We’re usually too focused on ourselves and I miss the culture of Bhutan, where people always have time for one another. I might prefer the passersby to be more aware of the situation before stepping in, but I’m glad to see my countrymen looking out for others. And perhaps I should do something myself. Am I wrong not to step in and offer help? Am I wrong not to ask the others to give the old man some space?
After word: While looking for images for this post, I found an article from China saying that people now don’t offer help to others out of fear they’ll be blamed for whatever happened in the first place. With the growing practice of suing in Western society, I wonder how long it will be before we go that way too. I’m even more happy now to see my countrymen are Good Samaritans.