The Bitching Thread

[Sapphire]

That's just what people say to not inconvenience strangers.

If someone was clearly having a heart attack but insisted they were okay, would you turn away anyway?

[Buffalobiian]

That's just what people say to not inconvenience strangers.

If someone was clearly having a heart attack but insisted they were okay, would you turn away anyway?

Yes, I would. It's the same in first aid - you must ask them if they consent to you performing first aid on them or else it's assault.

If they were unconscious that's another matter, but I respect rejections. Honestly, I don't know how society and courts take this, but I'm a full supporter of autonomy. People are can make their own choices (which we should respect, or at least allow), regardless of what we think is good or bad for them.

I'm also of the belief that if you want help, you should ask for it. I don't look highly of people who don't ask for help, then make remarks such as "All he/she did was watch". Likewise, I retort with "All you did was keep your mouth shut".

I believe in positive feedback and vocalising your thoughts. People don't know what you're thinking about - and it's not up to them to guess it. If someone risks "being seen as dumb" and asks for help, they should be rewarded for their actions by having a higher chance of someone helping them. Likewise, if someone wants to keep their pride and act all tough (not asking for help is one of these acts), they deal with the resultant consequence.

[Ryllharu]

That's just what people say to not inconvenience strangers.

If someone was clearly having a heart attack but insisted they were okay, would you turn away anyway?

The amount of empty platitudes in American English is sometimes downright bizarre. It's definitely the reason Buff isn't as concerned about his state than you were.

What I mean for non-Americans: A standard greeting in the US will be "How are you?/How are things?" The expected answer is, "Good, thanks." or "Good, and yourself?" If you answer honestly, (e.g. "Not great. / Pretty shitty.") you'll either get a strange look, or they will actually, and hilariously, reply "Good!" showing you that they weren't paying attention at all.

Yes, I would. It's the same in first aid - you must ask them if they consent to you performing first aid on them or else it's assault.

Not necessarily in the US! Implied consent clauses exist within the Good Samaritan Law. Not in Saph's case since he responded. It typically is invoked for some state of unconsciousness. Many European actually enforces duty to assist.

I'm also of the belief that if you want help, you should ask for it. I don't look highly of people who don't ask for help, then make remarks such as "All he/she did was watch". Likewise, I retort with "All you did was keep your mouth shut".

US Good Samaritan Laws allow bystanders to legally do nothing (except in certain states).