I thought we were better

[CaptainCrunch]

So I was driving home last night, and was waiting to turn into my building complex, and I saw cars turning in and doing a sharp swing around what I thought was a bundle of rags lying in the middle of the entry way. Then proceeding to their parking spots and walking into their homes. When it came time for me to turn in, I stopped and looked down and it was a guy, obviously inebriated passed out right in the entrance way.

I got out of my car to check on him and flipped on my hazard lights to make sure that nobody hit him, and I checked on him.

Whether he was loaded and been hit by a car, I don't know, his one shoe was flung off and about 6 feet away and his keys were on the ground.

He wasn't dressed well, and he was mumbling and shouting incoherently.

Then I had people behind me honking their horns at me to move. Fine I made them wait and pulled into a parking spot and then walked back and stood in the drive way to shield him while I called 9/11.

People kept going past me and parking and going into their houses, not one person came over to check in.

Long story short, the police showed up, then an ambulance, and took him away.

We snort at the American Culture that nobody wants to get involved when things happen in their neighborhood. We as Canadians take a lot of pride in how nice we are and willing to help their fellow man or neighbors or whatever.

But I can't get the image out of my head of people driving by this poor guy and going home and not getting involved.

Its pretty shameful.

I do want to shout out to the police who showed up within 5 minutes and were very professional with this person, but couldn't understand a word that he was saying. But once they were there, and they asked me a few quick questions, they told me that I could go, and I did. I also want to shout out to the 9/11 operator who was not only very professional, but kept asking me if I was safe.

I want to add that when I was talking to 9/11 they had mentioned that someone had phoned in a tip earlier about this guy lying on the road, but nobody clearly came out to check on him.

But at Christmas time, I felt a bit ashamed of my neighbors. We can't keep driving by things and ignoring things that might be disturbing or inconvenient.

[Huntingwhale]

I agree with everything you said. People suck. The Canadian ''niceness'' factor is extremely overrated.

[Envitro]

Agreed. Too often people mind their own business without regard for their fellow human being.

[wontondestruction]

I bet if it had been a stray dog lying there, it would have received more compassion.

[CliffFletcher]

Good on you.

Canadian politeness often means not getting involved in anything that could make us the least bit uncomfortable.

[codynw]

I'm the kind of person that will stop and try to grab a dog if I see one running around outside by itself. I can't imagine driving past a person lying in the middle of the road.

But I'm also not surprised. Most people are garbage.

[jeffporfirio]

Thank you.
You are a better man than me.

[Hockeyguy15]

Here's the thing, you are using "we" a lot and making a lot of generalizations.

People tend to focus on the negatives a lot more than the positives because they stand out more. Canadian "niceness" factor is not extremely overrated, however the "negative" factor is overblow (American or Canadian).

Regardless of where you live could a lot of people do more? Probably. I would bet that for every time you see something like this, there are a couple acts of generosity you don't see.

[GreenLantern]

Yup, everyone just steps on top of each other to get that one inch ahead. Bothers me to no end how everyone else feels their time is more valuable than yours.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Don't generalize all Canadians because you live with a bunch of a holes.

[sec304]

I find generally people are selfish a$$holes.

[GirlySports]

yeah i can understand if it was far away from home and in the middle of nowhere.

But if it's in front of my own building complex I'd have to stop and ask CC what's going on. I would probably recognize him anyways.

Don't people recognize other people in their building complex? You may not know everyone by name but probably could could recognize most people enough to know 'hey, he lives in my building'

[Frequitude]

I'd be posting an emotionally charged strongly worded letter in the elevator calling those #######s out.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I do want to shout out to the police who showed up within 5 minutes and were very professional with this person, but couldn't understand a word that he was saying. But once they were there, and they asked me a few quick questions, they told me that I could go, and I did. I also want to shout out to the 9/11 operator who was not only very professional, but kept asking me if I was safe.

I want to add that when I was talking to 9/11 they had mentioned that someone had phoned in a tip earlier about this guy lying on the road, but nobody clearly came out to check on him.

Thanks, man. 'Ops don't often get props. Consider it passed along.

[Timbo]

Good on you CC for helping someone in need!
BTW you might consider moving as there seems to be a lot of Delta Bravos living in your complex.

[Puppet Guy]

my already-dim view of human nature takes another beating.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I'd be posting an emotionally charged strongly worded letter in the elevator calling those #######s out.

thought about it in my fury last night when I got home, and had a double shot of scotch before I even got out of my work clothes.

But what's the point, people aren't going to change.

[peter12]

Remember the tale of the Good Samaritan. Some people walk on by, and others stop to help.

[Looch City]

Similar story, but more on the good side:

On Saturday there was a pretty devastating car crash on Glenmore/14st turn off. Car flipped over and everything.

Atleast 15 cars were pulled over to help and several people consoling the ones that were part of the collision. The driver/passenger of the flipped car was on the ground being aided by others as he/she seemed pretty immobile. Hoping the ambulance got to them quickly since the hospital was right there.

It was good to see so many people willing to pull over and help (although I didn't as I felt I could not have aided any more than the people already there).

[troutman]

Legend of St. Martin:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_of_Tours

While Martin was a soldier in the Roman army and stationed in Gaul (modern-day France), he experienced a vision, which became the most-repeated story about his life. One day as he was approaching the gates of the city of Amiens, he met a scantily clad beggar. He impulsively cut his military cloak in half to share with the man. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. He heard Jesus say to the angels: "Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe." (Sulpicius, ch 2). In another version, when Martin woke, he found his cloak restored to wholeness. The dream confirmed Martin in his piety, and he was baptised at the age of 18.[10]


Laternelaufen pronounced [laˈtɛʁnəˌlau̯fn̩][1] (‘Walking with Lanterns’) is a German tradition for the time around St. Martin's Day. On 11 November (or later/earlier for reasons of appointment) children (usually in kindergarten age or younger) walk along the streets holding colourful, often self-made lanterns (Laternenumzug, ‘Lantern Pageant’).

Laterne, Laterne
Sonne, Mond und Sterne
Brenne auf, mein Licht,
Brenne auf, mein Licht