Today I was with a group of pensioners at a local cafe for brunch then a coach came into the car park with a large group of American pensioners they went to eat a falafel at a near by Falafel stand when one of our pensioners wanted to take a falafel to his wife so I went with him he was standing in a queue and suddenly one of the American ladies tripped and fell on her face no one moved to help her I looked around but no one was getting up so I rushed to this lady and the coach driver and I Helped her up and bathed her cuts but I was shocked by it all. Anybody know why they didn't help her?
I was told because they are frightened for being sued.
That does seem sad that no one from her group helped her. For some reason I think some people are so involved in what they are doing they don't even notice other people around them. I have seen people drive or walk right by someone that needs help. I'm not sure it's about being sued, although there are people that will try to sue about everything. I'm sure the woman was very glad that you came to her aide.
ReplyDeleteThis phenomena has been debated in this country for a long time. I don't believe all of this type of response has to do with fear of being sued...for one thing people in the USA constantly go to the aid of strangers, friends and family to help them during emergencies and catastrophic situations. To my knowledge they are rarely sued! So I can not explain this situation...I mean she could have had a heart attack or stroke were they just going to let her lie there and die! Very unsettling! And how kind of you and the coach driver to assist!
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of people out there that just think someone else will go and take care of it, Today that someone else was you, and Good on you Cathy, You have a very kind heart. You can hold your head up high today!
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that being sued would be the last thing on someone's mind, especially when a person needs help.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gooseberry Jam, oftentimes people think someone else will go to their rescue, and are probably more qualified to do so.
Nevertheless, an offer is still appropriate.
Thank you for assisting.
~Jo
I usually don't think twice about helping but it was such a large group I also took a few seconds to see if one of her group would help maybe my reaction was quicker strange I always find myself in these situations. I think someone is trying to tell me something she always helped people and was a very strong role model my Gran.
ReplyDeleteI can understand how you'd feel shocked Cathy. Who knows why, perhaps, being elderly themselves they needed a few seconds to realise what had happened. Reaction times slow down in the elderly at differing degrees.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing is you helped someone in need.. just like your Gran.
I had a fall a few months ago - also, tripped on a kerb and fell flat on my face. My husband was with me and helping. Even so, two ladies came and helped too. One gathered up my bag and its contents and the other one asked if she could drive us somewhere. We felt so grateful to these people. You and the bus driver gave that lady a lot of comfort because she'd have been in shock.
Thanks for your comments I guess I was also in shock and the best thing for that is a cup of tea
ReplyDeleteDear Cathy, this is my first visit to your blog, and the first Israeli garden blog I am following. I am finding it very interesting and your kibbutz garden looks wonderful. Ignoring someone who fell down is terrible, what does that say about a society / community? cheers, catmint
ReplyDeleteShocking that people didn't help. No idea. Thankfully you were there to assist. We should all make an effort to help others in time of need. Kelli
ReplyDeleteYour probably right. Not only are they afraid of being sued but they might also be afraid of being accused of causing the fall.
ReplyDeleteA sad world we live in :-(
Perhaps I live life dangerously but I would have helped. Bless you for helping, Cathy! I refuse to live in fear and hope there will always be others who feel the same.
ReplyDelete