Would you risk your life?

Memory Of 98 · 29-05-2012 10:54PM #1

So,

Today I found myself enjoying the lovely weather and eating at a restaurant. Half way through my meal I heard the screams of a woman from across the establishment. Looking over I saw her hanging over her table and a scumbag sprinting away with her purse in hand.

Now, there were many men there, men bigger than me. But, they did nothing, not even bat an eye lid, nor did the staff. For some stupid reason I took off in pursuit, charging down a busy street dodging fast moving traffic and nearly being ran down and killed.

When I got back, the victim praised me. But just about everyone else scolded me calling me a fool and an idiot for risking my life for someone that I did not even know.

I don`t know why I did it, but I did. I am looking back now fretting over how I was nearly killed/seriously wounded.

When did I become foolish in Ireland to be a vigilante, when did it become okay for men to not even bat an eye lid at women being assaulted?

What would anyone else have done?

Bipolar Joe · 29-05-2012 10:56PM

I want to be a superhero.

flutterflye · 29-05-2012 10:56PM

It's that famous experiment - possibly in Time Square?
Someone must know what I'm on about.

Fair play to you op.
No idea how I'd react - I think I'd have to be in the situation to really know.

squod · 29-05-2012 10:57PM

Memory Of 98 wrote: »

So,

.... a woman from across the establishment.

We're talking about a titty bar here, right?

admiralofthefleet · 29-05-2012 10:58PM

i wouldnt have got involved, none of my business and you constantly hear of people being beaten up or worse for getting involved

Scioch · 29-05-2012 10:59PM

Personally I think I'd risk my life as long as I was sure I wouldnt embarrass myself. Nothing worse than making a show of yourself in public. So I wouldnt be chasing anyone but may or may not jump in front of a bus to save a pretty lady.

Memory Of 98 · 29-05-2012 10:59PM

squod wrote: »

We're talking about a titty bar here, right?

No, just a very, very crappy chippers.

Kidchameleon · 29-05-2012 11:00PM

Ha you dident catch me

flutterflye · 29-05-2012 11:00PM

This is the experiment I'm on about.

Ares · 29-05-2012 11:00PM

Can anyone remember the case last year, I think it was in Ennis where some lad attacked another lad in some public place stabbing him with about 50 people watching and not one did a single thing.

Pretty sad that its come to this.

Edit; Found it. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1212/clare.html

The attack was observed by 11 eyewitnesses but it was only when the teenager returned to attack the boy for a second time that a man intervened and forced him to move away.

People in groups are retarded quite simply. Cowards following the herd mentality of someone else will intervene.

Persons are intelliegent, people are incredibly stupid.

HazDanz · 29-05-2012 11:05PM

flutterflye wrote: »

This is the experiment I'm on about.

It's fcked up really when you think about it. The more people around the less likely someone will help.

I say fair play OP you did what you thought was the right thing, without given much thought to your own well being to help out someone in need.

downwithpeace · 29-05-2012 11:06PM

Depends on the situation, I seriously would like to think I would react in aid of the person but couldn't be sure I would until I was faced with it.

krudler · 29-05-2012 11:08PM

Hard to tell unless you ever found yourself in that situation, these people did though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIGTyANMFb4

Memory Of 98 · 29-05-2012 11:10PM

HazDanz wrote: »

It's fcked up really when you think about it. The more people around the less likely someone will help.

I say fair play OP you did what you thought was the right thing, without given much thought to your own well being to help out someone in need.

Surprsingly I was okay at the time, it seemed like a very sane thing to do. But, I am quite in shock now thinking of how close I came to being splattered across the tarmac by one of the cars I narrowly dodged.

And the worst thing is not even one car went near hitting the thieving b@stard!

mikemac1 · 29-05-2012 11:11PM

Get an actor, dress him up rough and have him collapse outside a train station, people stay walking

And I think I would do the same. Got a punch off a wino in Eyre Sq Galway once and that place was just full of winos.

Then get a smartly dressed actor, hits the ground and gets help swiftly

Interesting but not surpising

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsPfbup0ac

some random drunk · 29-05-2012 11:12PM

I think a lot of the time the bystander effect kicks in. Maybe one way to beat it would be to point at specific people and say something like "Hey you! Give me a hand chasing this fella!"

Anyways fair play to you OP for giving chase.

Biggins · 29-05-2012 11:15PM

I would at least try.

mikemac1 · 29-05-2012 11:15PM

The_Citizen hasn't been seen on boards in ages
Whatever happened that lad

OP, you are the new hero of boards
We want weekly tales of you throwing skangers off the top deck of the 40 and out the window

MagicSean · 29-05-2012 11:19PM

Well done op. I'm surprised nobody followed your example though.

kirving · 29-05-2012 11:19PM

Yes, I would in most circumstances. A scumbag walked up to me in town a number of months ago, punched me in the face and broke my nose for no reason. Not one of my friends, or anyone around did anything, and he just walked off. Sound.

Hardly expect girls to chase a nacker down the street, but I wouldn't let anyone get away with doing that to a friend.

seantorious · 29-05-2012 11:20PM

So did you get the leg over her or what?

LH Pathe · 29-05-2012 11:28PM

Yes; I would frisk your wife.

RachaelVO · 29-05-2012 11:28PM

Fair play OP, feck, that's brave, very fucking brave, and possibly a smidge daft... But I'm impressed none the less

Although if you were my other half I'd be knocking ten bells outta ya for putting yourself in such a position! See I'm such a hypocrite, don't object to anyone I don't know being a hero, but if it was anyone I loved, I'd go mad!!!

Battered Mars Bar · 29-05-2012 11:30PM

I once ran into a burning building and rescued a puppy but you don't see me bragging...just wish I heard it was the baby she was looking for.

Mance Rayder · 29-05-2012 11:31PM

For a handbag? no.

tok9 · 29-05-2012 11:32PM

I'd like to think I would but I've no idea really in the situation. Fair play OP, you did something not many people would even contemplate.

danslevent · 29-05-2012 11:33PM

Was it a bit of an anti climatic moment when you came back without the handbag?

But seriously, fair play anyway

Jogathon · 29-05-2012 11:36PM

I did it in Barcalona - sitting in a park and saw two men chatting to tourists. One was distracting and the other was behind stealing a bag. I shouted and the man with the bag casually was walking off and I ran after him and pointed etc. The German tourist caught him and grabbed him and gave their bag to me (very trustingly) and was trying to ring the police when the guy twisted out of his hands and ran off. I was really quite proud of myself.
Another time my mum woke up and heard a noise downstairs. She started yelling and screaming and my reaction was to jump up out of bed and sprint downstairs and out the door after the guy. I got to about 200m down the road when I had a re-think and strolled back home. I could see him in front of me though! So stupid but that was my reaction both times.

wes · 29-05-2012 11:37PM

I wouldn't risk my life for my own money, let alone someone elses. Its just money, not worth losing my life over it.

Now, If I taught I had a reasonable chance of success with minimal risk to myself and others, I would try to help. However, as I said earlier no point in getting killed over a few quid.

Now, I someones life was in danger, then I would like to think, I would be brave enough to help someone in such a situation.

Princess Peach · 29-05-2012 11:50PM

Leave it well be. It was just her purse not her life.

I did something kinda similar before in the place I used to work when a scumbag sneaked into the store room. Stupid me told the other girl to call the manager and I went after him without thinking, next thing I know I'm alone and facing this guy! He didn't do anything except abuse me verbally, but it was a silly risk.

But sometimes you don't think in the moment!

Pottler · 29-05-2012 11:54PM

Most people just freeze anyway, and watch. I've seen people get trapped in heavy machinery and be crushed, screaming their heads off, and everyone around them will just freeze and do nothing. I know I react, I've had that test enough times. I also tend to get involved when I get "involved" in robberies and fights. Its just the way you are, you either do or don't, no judgement here, I can't stand by, some can, some just freeze. Probably less hassle to not get involved tbh, but I don't think, I tend to think afterwards. This may or may not be a healthy genetic trait. I just can't watch someone suffer or get robbed without trying to help as best I can.

Would you risk your life?

What would you do? 88 votes

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