Doing the right thing even if it is bothersome?
I wonder if you would have done the same:
We just witnessed an accident, rough, omg, all airbags inflated, a really rough hit.
We were walking along the street and one car passed us, the traffic light was green for this car and he was hit really hard by a taxi driver who jumped the other light.
I wonder if taxi drivers have such a bad reputation as those from Spain! 
So there was this very young couple , quite in shock in one of the cars, and I told them there and then, if you need a witness....
so we entered Pablo's in the meantime and the police came. Talking started and as the couple was really young....
"¡Hay unos chavalees que se han saltado el semáforo en rojo!"
So we left the bar and gave our ID etc to the police, the young couple did not even thank us, they were too much in shock, but we still think we did the right thing, cumbersome if they actually call us if there is a court session, but never mind, I think it was and will be worth it.
What do you think, is it worth it to spend a day in court for people you have never seen before?
17 Answers
I witnessed an awful accident. Worst thing was, was that the person who caused the accident didn't even get hit.
It's a four lane road at night. The road is completely empty except for a small handful of cars. For some reason car A stops in the inside lane before making a right!!!! (They needed to make a right and hadn't got on the right hand lane earlier and now there was a car in the right hand land, so they were waiting for that car to go by before making their right across the right hand lane). They should have driven up another block or something...one does NOT stop in the inside lane unless there is a traffic jam.
Car B (mind you it's night so he's just seeing brake lights) suddenly realizes car A is not moving, slams on his brakes and stops just inches from car A. Car C cannot stop in time (though she tries) and rear-ends car B. Car A speeds off into the night unscratched and having caused the whole thing...leaving it all to look like car B's fault for suddenly stopping in the road (no other witnesses except me).
This all happened in front of me as I was at a stop sign. I was a pizza delivery guy at the time...on the clock. I can't remember if I had anymore pizzas to deliver on my round or not, but I probably didn't...I think I was merely on my way back to the pizza place. I thought about waiting for the cops to come (I didn't think about talking to the people to let them know I could be a witness for them), but I decided I better get back to work. On my next round, I saw the cop sitting in a parking lot by the place where the accident had happened and thought about going to him and explaining what I had seen, but was too scared to do so (running up to a cop at night may not be a great idea).
Long story short, all these years later (nearly twenty years later) I still feel the weight of having not done something...because I was the only person who could back up car B's story of why he suddenly slammed on brakes. It wasn't the bother of court that prevented me but rather I didn't want to lose my job to stay for the police report (a court date could be prearranged for the needed time off...but to just not come back to work for an hour after going out on deliveries...hard to explain to the bosses...Oh, I witnessed an accident...had to wait for the cops). My brain doesn't think too well...wish I had thought of giving the victims my name and number and a simple offer to be a witness...I believe I could have done that.
Now that I think about it, car C may have seen car A take off, too (as they took a right into their neighborhood). I hope so.
This question reminded me of this story:
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.
"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
I think you should always help someone else if you are in a position to do so, even if it is inconvenient 
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As for taxi drivers, they are just as bad here. I used to get taxis twice a day and the things they did were just shocking. They'd go down roads that only buses are allowed down, jump lights, they'd speed, they'd talk on their mobile phone and they never insisted that seat belts had to be worn.
I believe that you have to extend yourself to help others, especially strangers.
That's the whole point of the story of the Good Samaritan, right?
Is it worth it to spend a day in court for people you have never seen before?
Absolutely! Without witnesses the court has no choice to make a decision based on "He said...she said" and that's always a mess.
Moreover, wouldn't you want strangers to help you in case of trouble? If you don't speak up for the innocent victims, who will?
I think you did the right thing. Placed in the same scenario, I think most would have done the same.
It's a human trait to divide the world into us and them, stranger and friend. I believe the size of the circle a person draws encompassing friends is equal to their empathy and character. There are the people you know and see every day, those who do things for you so you return the favor. There's your neighbors, those who live in your community, or your state or country. There are those who are white, like you or brown, like you. Those who speak the same language or follow the same religion. And then, there is our whole world, big or small, rich or poor, no matter their skin color, religion, language, or age. If we call them all friend, what else can you do except speak up.
Actually there is a new television program here in the US now called, "What would you do?" and it is a set up circumstance with actors playing out all kinds of scenarios with unknowing bystanders. You would be both amazed and appalled.
I offered my identity to officials after witnessing an accident, about 10 years ago.
Nobody ever contacted me afterwards.
I asked around, and learned that many cases are settled out of court, and just having witnesses "on paper" is helpful evidence towards finding justice.
Many people refuse to offer themselves as witnesses, because they can't afford time if it comes to court. They don't realize that their services are most likely given without physically taking part.
Just my two-cents' worth...
I think you did the right thing. Placed in the same scenario, I think most would have done the same.
Well, not over here, tosh, people just talk and talk but don't do a thing
There must have been 50 people watching the police and the two cars and only two came forward , one of them a police officer, as it appears the kids were lucky, he had been a bystander too and told the same story as us
In any case, nobody else came forward, quite the opposite, they seemed to side with the taxi driver, as those other two were very young and they just had to be the guilty party
I don't know about "civil duty" over here, people just look the other way.
I'm not wanting to hijack the thread, but speaking of civic duty..what does everyone think about jury duty? I absolutely ABHOR it!!
Anyways Heidita, you did the right thing. I can't believe that story about the kid who nearly committed suicide but was saved by friendship. Is that a real story?? Sounds almost TV-like! If it's really real..wow!
-Charlius-
Been there, done that. Sin duda Heidita tienes razón.
What do you think, is it worth it to spend a day in court for people you have never seen before?
I know it might be aggravating and time consuming. The young couple may never thank you or even show appreciation. But it is the right thing to do if they need to call witnesses.
Life is funny. I think most of us can say we have done nice and very generous things for others who show no appreciation. Some of those we reach out to even turn around and hurt us. But then one day, it will be your turn. When you least expect it, someone will reach out in kindness to you and do something amazing... expecting nothing in return.
Trata a otros como te gustaria te trataran a ti
No comments, no stories, no aphorisms. Just two words: Civic Duty. This is also known as the binding force which allows us all to live together peaceably and with a reasonably degree of security. There is no excuse for failure to sacrifice a truly trivial portion of one's time (energy, money, comfort) to offer the simplest support to a fellow citizen. I believe that it is also a matter of law; that is why witnesses may be subpoenaed and obliged to give testimony before the court. Otherwise the vast majority of us could (and in many cases - would) just say, "Oh, it's none of my business, I don't choose to get involved." even when someone is screaming for life while being stabbed to death.
If I was the only person who witnessed the accident and my evidence would be vital, then yes, I would step forward and give it. If it meant inconvenience to me, I'm afraid that is just the price of life in this day and age.
However, I must admit, if there had been other people around I would probably slip into the background and let others get on with it. Not very noble of me I suppose, but I try not to get involved with things that dont concern me if I can help it.
Simple inconvenience doesn't seem, to my mind, a good enough reason not to stop to help somebody. I think you did the right thing.
:D
