I Am Selfish

Today, I was driving out of a mall when the car in front of mine stopped at the gantry. The driver could not seem to get his car to move. After a full two minutes, he was still not giving any indications what was wrong. Impatient to get home after a long day at work, I honked at him. Just then, I saw a Caucasian man running towards the car. He was followed by another two of his friends. They asked the driver what was wrong and proceeded to help him push his car. They politely gestured for me to reverse so that the man could reverse his car back into the car park. I was ashamed of myself for sitting in my vehicle and not going out to check what was wrong. It is so common for us to just honk at others who are slower than us. I saw how selfish I was. We are just too busy and self-centred to care. And yes, I still think that westerners are generally more thoughtful and willing to help than locals. It is just a casual observation.

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BlueRain · F

I don’t know what a gantry is but you also have to think about your safety first.

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BlueRain · F

I still don’t know what it is. A gas station?

novembermoon · 51-55

@BlueRain it's the thing that goes up when money is deducted for parking in a mall. You don't have them where you live?

BlueRain · F

@novembermoon yes but they don’t look like that. Thank you.

Sssslm · F

Those good qualities in people are nurtured by good government policies, environment and society where people won't suffer by giving way or losing something.

JustNik · 51-55, F

🤗 we all have those moments we get caught in the net and forget what lies beyond.

novembermoon · 51-55

@JustNik It is a general observation from an easterner's perspective. People here are generally passive and slow to act, preferring to let the person concerned deal with the problem. I see that westerners have a greater sense of initiative and stepping forward and doing something when they see things are not right. There was once I was at an airport and some people were cutting queue. It was again a Caucasian man who told them 'to get back and line up behind the lady'. Don't know, but it's rare to find a Chinese guy doing that for me or anyone for that matter. Think it may be a cultural thing.

JustNik · 51-55, F

@novembermoon interesting!

sspec

@novembermoon It is the matter of sense of responsibility (eastern or westerner). Just today few minutes ago, I was on my way in the elevator to reach office that a lady who had just gotten out came back and kept the lift at hold for the two others (strangers to her) who I saw later were running to join in.
Time is precious which is for everyone but only those who value time in true sense can understand and give their time to save others'.

Just a bit of the niceties from today morning. ☕

sspec

It is sufficient that you realized your mistake which hopefully you won't repeat. The aware ones are all around amidst the crowd.

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