AIBU to think if you see someone fall you should do something?

[SinkGirl]

I went to the local co-op this morning about 7am. It was a bit wet outside from rain overnight but not raining.

I literally walked in and went flying - my shoes were obviously a bit damp and their floor is ridiculously shiny. One of my feet just slipped out from under me and I went down on the other leg (have hurt my knee and skinned the front of my ankle).

I was sat on the floor for about 2 minutes trying to get up, because it was embarrassing but it really bloody hurt - no staff in sight, but there was a woman doing self checkout a few feet from me who saw me fall.

Just as I was struggling to get off the floor, she walked right past me and left. I understand not wanting to physically help someone up but wouldn’t you at least either ask if they’re okay or alert a member of staff if you saw someone slip and fall, especially if they didn’t immediately get up? I can’t imagine just walking past someone on the floor. I’ve always helped people who’ve fallen / hurt themselves any time I’ve been in that situation.

AIBU to think it’s weird to just ignore this, unless someone else is already helping?

@AssassinatedBeauty

YANBU, it would be an instinctive reaction for me and for most people I know. Having said that, there could be a myriad reasons why that specific young woman at the self checkout didn't. In a situation with more people present I would expect someone would have offered you some help.

Nowhere does the OP say it was a young woman so you've made an assumption there.

I would have asked how you were and helped you OP. Weird not to imho.

I honestly think most people would have stopped and enquired if you needed help. I wouldn’t take one individuals actions as an indication that ‘society’ has become anything.

I think it's pretty rude to not even ask if they're ok,
My 17 yo dd was out shopping recently and saw an elderly lady fall, not one person stopped to help her and walked by. It was DD who stopped and helped her up and called her son for her to collect her.
Now that's shocking

This happened to me once in a crowded Mc Donalds restaurant think coffee and cake, not hamburgers so people sitting at tables and couches and not one person staff or visitor did anything but look at me.
So I'm on the floor in pain just been stared at thinking someone is going to help me up.
Not a single one they must have all thought l was the floor show literally
Plus the embarrassment when l realized help wasn't coming and the weeks of physio.

I saw a woman fall in the supermarket in lockdown 1. I was the only person who went over to help until a bloke stepped in to give me a hand - I was obviously pregnant. I know it was a scary time but I couldn't believe how no one else even asked if she was ok.

I went flying the over day, landed flat out on my front in the floor. One bloke stood there and actually said. " I can't help, you know- Covid!" I thought 'why actually bother then mate'! I have helped about 3 or 4 people who have fallen or tripped during Covid times. Fortunately none of these have seemed bothered by me 'touching ' them and have been grateful. Yes, it is really embarrassing and you may not want to draw attention to yourself, but surely the sooner somebody helps you up, the less chance of many people seeing you!

Jeez, what have we become if we can't even go to the aid of someone who has fallen.

Considering some of the vile comments posted to the RNLI in the last 24/48 hours, there's a very large number of people utterly lacking in compassion or humanity. Fortunately, those who do possess both compassion and humanity have donated in support of the RNLI.

It seems that contrary to their mantra, the right-wing don't really believe their own mantra that "All Lives Matter" at all.

Some people are just gits.

Very weird to not do something to help.

I would always stop and help if I was the first one there or it looked like further help was needed but if there are already people helping I would walk past, as presumably the person doesn't want to be gawped at.

A middle aged woman barged into the small chemist where my 80 year old grandmother was and knocked her flying. She scurried off without apologising or helping her back up. It was effectively the end of my grandmother going out and about as it really shook her and left her black and blue.

I'm sure this is from my own social issues but I'd have found it really strange that you sat on the floor, nothing short of being knocked unconscious would stop me bouncing back up again. If it looked bad or you were old or disabled then I'd rush over, but if you were a healthy looking person who grazed their knee and stayed sat down, I'd think you were either a bit strange or having a bad day and needed a minute alone with your thoughts and wouldn't get involved.

I would help but I also know there are lots of reasons why other people wouldn’t.

I hope you are ok.

Pretty shocking to go flying and find yourself on the floor. Plus it hurts. How the hell can you say you would bounce back up again? You don't know until it happens to you!

Bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility

Over time I have seen society become more and more insular and less willing to engage with anyone they don't know. The pandemic has increased that behaviour...
I hate it but I can't see it changing. All I can do is to continue to engage with the world and teach my children to, even if everyone else is becoming ruder... (And escape and go and find utopia I just don't know where to go looking for it!)

Physically pulled a drunk man out of a bush last week. How could anyone just walk past.

My late dad fell at the local shop, he was frail, recovering from cancer at the time, and his short walk to the local shop was something he enjoyed, he fell and broke his arm, no one helped him up, he managed to get home. I assumed no one saw him but then my dads neighbour mentioned to me, he saw my dad fall over at the shop! so why not help him (this was pre covid)

As someone who falls over more often than most people, I just want to be left alone to collect myself, gather up what dignity I have left and not have attention drawn to me. In other words, if I fall down please ignore me.

YANBU. A few years ago my Dad hit an uneven kerb on his mobility scooter and fell off, he said several people walked past before a young lad stopped his van and got out to help! He was ok thank God, only bruised and shaken, but he was obviously vulnerable and I couldn't believe that anyone, let alone multiple people, would just walk past!

Perhaps she had mh issues. Hope you’ve recovered OP. I’d always help and I think most would.

I'd have instantly turned hands out. If you'd have popped right back up I might have left you to it, and saved you having to do the 'I'm fine' thing. If you were still down after a couple of seconds I'd have asked if you were ok.

What is wrong with people?

@Blossomtoes but we wouldn’t know that. It’s polite to ask someone if they’d like help to which you have a right to say no thank you.

YANBU I would definitely run over to help/ask if you’re ok if I think you’ve hurt yourself/can’t get up but sometimes if someone trips I pretend not to see as it’s less embarrassing for the them but this doesn’t sound like that is the case here.

The only time I don’t physically help is when someone is on drugs/drunk. There are a few regulars around here and they’ll scream or attack you if you try and help them up.

A few years ago my Dad hit an uneven kerb on his mobility scooter and fell off, he said several people walked past before a young lad stopped his van and got out to help!

That’s terrible!!

Those that want to be ignored as they lie in a heap on the floor are going to need a badge or t shirt or something to protect them from the caring polite people.

No way would I have walked past; I'd have stopped scanning my shopping to come over and check you were OK. Hope you're OK now.