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Today you, tomorrow me

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Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#171

Post by mcantor »

colkassad wrote: post #142
mcantor wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The story meshes perfectly with my experience of reality. For example, people who appear to be extremely wealthy are much less likely to be generous tippers, because most people with garish appearances are actually middle-class folk who are up to their ears in debt accrued while accumulating the trappings of their specious wealth. The people who actually have money to spare are the ones who live within their means, w…

Ah, so this is about faith in humanity, and whether the story is true or not does not matter -- as long as we believe. I can live with that. I have to say though, I've met plenty of non-poor, non-immigrant folk that like to help people out.

No, this has shit to do with "faith in humanity."

All we can do is speculate about whether the story is true or not, and in practice, its veracity is completely irrelevant to our lives. You said "I really don't believe it." What I understand that to mean is "I am as certain that story false as I am certain that I'll suffocate without air." To the extent that you are saying the story is certainly untrue, I am confused by your skepticism. What about the story seems that unbelievable? That in all the billions of people in the world, that four of them didn't end up in a van on the highway with the means and and impetus to help a stranger?

"I have to say though, I've met plenty of non-poor, non-immigrant folk that like to help people out."

Sorry... I hate how much it seems like I'm just categorically slamming everything you're saying, but I'm honestly not gunning for that: When did anyone claim that non-poor, non-immigrant folk don't enjoy helping people out? In my grandparent post, I was only contending that the likelihood of someone helping may be unintuitive. I fancy myself a non-poor, non-immigrant fellow who likes to help people out... so it clearly can't be impossible. :-)

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#172

Post by pjscott »

lazyant wrote: post #84
mrcharles wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the problem in a lot of places. The highway I use most often is the 401 in the greater toronto area -- the busiest highway in north america. Stopping on the side of the road is extremely dangerous at the best of times, and walking along it, even worse. However, I have called 911 on occasion. It always amazes me how few people call in collisions and accidents. On a recent road trip to the US, I was travelling N…

People in groups tend to look at each other for signals instead of acting; this is explained in "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Cialdini.

For people wanting a link, this is called the bystander effect:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#173

Post by sedachv »

kenjackson wrote: post #149
smallblacksun wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You ever been with someone with a strong southern accent in the north? I heard them called "hick" and "redneck" any number of times, and a black man said (direct quote) "I ain't helping no racist" when he was asked (politely) for directions.

You ever been with someone with a strong southern accent in the north? Not sure if DC is considered the North or not, but I had some friends from Florida visit me in DC. No one called them "hick" or "redneck", but honestly their accent was so strong that I don't think it would be identified as southern. Sometimes I literally couldn't understand what they were saying. But they also dressed about as sharp as anyone I k…

One of the best experiences I've ever had was dressing up as a Confederate general with very prominent Dixie flags for Halloween in NYC.

I spent the day walking around Manhattan. People (mostly white middle-aged women) went out of their way to tell me how offended they were. I told them to "think of the heritage." I'm not American (well, I sort of am, long story), so to me it was both instructive and hilarious.

What was really interesting in hindsight is that none of the Brooklyn hipster transplants at the parties I went to that night thought anything about it.

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#175

Post by nanexcool »

swombat wrote: post #16
nanexcool wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep, except the "scratch" one has a slightly negative connotation of doing something just because the other one will do something in return. The Spanish phrase is a bit more positive.

Actually, the best part about the "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" is that it refers to whipping. It's an expression that comes from ship life, where shipmates would be tasked with whipping each other when they misbehaved. The idea was that if you whip me more softly (scratch my back), then when it's my turn to whip you I'll do the same. http://eifuku.co.uk/etymology.htm#You%20scratch%20my%20back%...

Didn't know that, thanks!

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#176

Post by Hubbert »

mikesabat wrote: post #138

This story is touching. If you want to do something worthwhile today, take a second and call your Senator and tell them to support the dream act. It's a big issue for all immigrants, not just Mexicans. The vote is most likely this week and every call counts. http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org/blog/make-dream-a-rea... To tie it back to Hacker News, you'll also be using my company's technology to complete the call.

Immigration policy is far too consequential and complex to be decided merely on the basis of an anecdote about roadside assistance (or tasty food).

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#178

Post by nimms »

In wealthier societies, people don't need others as much to get by. They tend to view others first as competition, and then freeloaders, trying to steal their hard earned dollar.

In places where there is less material wealth, people need more cooperation to get by. There's a lot more give for the sake of giving.

I could be wrong though. Thats just my experience.

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#179

Post by vacri »

kahawe wrote: post #24
dazzawazza wrote: post #2

If you live in the UK you will surely know Dave Gorman [1]. He did a TV show called American Unchained [2] where he attempted to get across America without using chain stores. In that series I saw an America that I recognise from the Americans I know and have worked with (I've never visited America). Americans are some of the most friendly, optimistic and outgoing people in the known universe. In the show he experien…

I am from Europe as well and I can wholeheartedly agree with this. I know it has become so popular to be laughing about the States over here but let me tell you something... each and every time I had to deal with people from the States over here, they were nothing but friendly and down to earth, good hearted people who enjoy and appreciate company and small talk - even more so than lots of Germans who often give you…

I spent three months crossing the US and what struck me is how outgoing the Americans are. Back home (Australia) if you're standing at a bus stop, no-one will talk to a stranger unless it's a sardonic comment about how late the bus is. In the US, total strangers just started talking to me apropos of nothing, just to talk and pass the time. I think that this is my favourite aspect of the American character.

The stereotype of the American who just wants to hear their own voice didn't hold up either - almost all of them were genuinely interested in conversation, though that may have been partly coloured because I was a foreign tourist a little off the beaten track.

Re: Today you, tomorrow me

#180

Post by vacri »

kareemm wrote: post #155
smallblacksun wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You ever been with someone with a strong southern accent in the north? I heard them called "hick" and "redneck" any number of times, and a black man said (direct quote) "I ain't helping no racist" when he was asked (politely) for directions.

Reminds me of the time I was visiting South Carolina from Montreal. I was in a gas station waiting to pay when I overheard two guys talking in the thickest southern accents imaginable. I couldn't hear what they were saying and I chuckled to myself at how much they sounded like dumb hicks. It was only when they got closer did I hear that they were talking about nuclear physics. It was a good reminder about judging boo…

I was in a shop when I heard the lilting strains of a woman with an Irish accent at the next table over.

Being quite partial to an Irish accent, I decided to eavesdrop and sate my desire.

The first words I heard her say once I 'tuned in' - and I swear this is true - were "potato potato potato". I had to leave the shop quite quickly for fear of losing my composure :)

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