If you saw a kid getting beat up in a foreign country, would you help stop it?

[Ricemarine]

Pretty much I'm asking whether or not its normal for someone not to step in when someone is in need. Yes I ask such "dumb questions" because I question why people do the things they do.

Background:

I have lingering in my mind a small memory from my trip to Vietnam that I had a few days ago with my family. I was riding in a car going back from a tourist attraction in Vietnam (near Mui Ne, the Red Sand Dunes), and apparently a high school nearby just got out, so the students were walking home. Up ahead, the students apparently crowded into the streets for some reason, and so the van had to slow down. When I looked out, there was a ~12 year old kid standing in a ditch getting beat up by 4 other kids the same age (rural area). They were kicking him in the head, punching him in the face, pulling his hair, etc. I looked around and asked why aren't we stopping to help the kid since it was part of a mini tour, and I was told not to do anything stupid and just let it go. So therefore, we drove past the kid, watching all the other high schoolers just watching and walking away along with anyone else noticing it turn the other cheek.

So if YOU were in a foreign country and you saw that, would you help stop it? Would you consider yourself out of place being a foreigner and stepping in for a native?

I'm trying to avoid the whole "this is their culture and this is what I saw and is this truly like them" like the other thread I made asking about the Russian.

 

[adairusmc]

Absolutely not. Not my problem.

 

[FoBoT]

when in rome, do as the romans do

 

[Turin39789]

i'd like to think yes

 

[akshatp]

No way. Chances are the 4 thugs would turn on me and i would end up in the ditch. Sucks for the guy getting beat up, but it aint my problem.

 

[tfcmasta97]

nope

 

[skyking]

In my misguided youth, I might have "done something stupid".
Not anymore, Monty!

 

[ranmaniac]

Other than notify authorities, it would not be wise to get involved in a mess like that in a foreign country. Worse than being attacked by thugs is ending up in a Vietnamese prison.

 

[BigJ]

In a foreign country?

Depends on which one. In a populated area in England, France, etc? Sure. I'd probably have my buddies with me, so it wouldn't turn into another 4 on 1.

In Mexico or Vietnam for example? Not a chance.

 

[TehMac]

Depends. If you're strong and intimidating, and if you can speak their language, maybe.

If you're just coming in because of your bleeding heart and nothing else, your bleeding heart is going to land you in hell at worst. At best, you'll be able help. But it sucks for that kid.

Just goes to show how some countries just want to remain feudal societies.

 

[Nitemare]

Yes and knowing my luck they would pull a gun and shoot me

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: ranmaniac
Other than notify authorities, it would not be wise to get involved in a mess like that in a foreign country. Worse than being attacked by thugs is ending up in a Vietnamese prison.

Right. Outside the US you can't just count on generally honest police and an "innocent until proven guilty" justice system.

I'd only get involved if I knew the country and its justice system well enough to know that I wasn't committing a crime myself and that I wouldn't be arrested as a convenient scapegoat.

For example, it might turn out that one of the thugs is actually the kid's father. Or one could be the son of a judge or police officer. Or the thugs accuse you of being the attacker, and it's your word against several locals. Or the judge is open to bribes and you have no access to cash but their families do. So many cliches, so little time

 

[Darwin333]

In Vietnam?? Hell no.

 

[SampSon]

Absolutely not.

It's none of your business. You're on a tour in a foreign country, don't make any waves.

 

[Journer]

if i were in America, i might step in and see what is going on...however, i would never, EVER in a foreign country help, unless i was sure the kid was going to die or seriously be hurt. even in Japan (a very friendly country to us) foreigners are highly discouraged for doing this and often get arrested because of it. it isn't worth the risk

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: TehMac
Depends. If you're strong and intimidating, and if you can speak their language, maybe.

If you're just coming in because of your bleeding heart and nothing else, your bleeding heart is going to land you in hell at worst. At best, you'll be able help. But it sucks for that kid.

Just goes to show how some countries just want to remain feudal societies.

you mean your heart might end up bleeding - literally?

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: Darwin333
In Vietnam?? Hell no.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

is it really any different to how kids fight in your country? esp. high school.