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?

@NotSonicTheHedgehog

Bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility

I’ve literally scrolled through this thread waiting for someone to point this out.

It’s really important to know about, once you do know it makes you more likely to step in in situations. Everybody always thinks someone else will deal with it and they would be pushing in/nosy to deal with it themselves.

My child was sat on the path bleeding with a broken arm after coming off his bike and got told to move out the way by a woman with a buggy. So not surprised by this.

@Sparklingbrook

I would always ask if they wanted a hand up before touching them. Especially these days.

"No love, just a couple of fingers will be fine" 🤣🤣

Sorry, filthy mind

I went through a virtually identical situation OP, at the time I slipped over there was someone walking straight toward me, they saw me fall, and deliberately zipped down the next aisle in order to avoid offering me help. This was long before Covid, so no excuse there. I have a severe back condition anyway, and the fall ended with me having to go to hospital. I just couldn't believe that someone could be so heartless, as to deliberately walk away, but obviously it's not so unusual. I hope your knee feels better soon.

Couple of years ago, London Euston, everyone rushing down platform ramp to board train a man bumped into me and sent me flying, flat out on the floor, not one person stopped to help me, just all stepped over or strode around me.
As the crowd dispersed a guard helped me up, I had bloody knees, ripped my pants and grazed my elbow. He saw me to my seat, I cried the entire 3 hour journey home, from my sore knees and elbow, shame of falling over like that in my 40's and general shitness that no one helped me

It's so awful when people ignore you, when you're hurt.

This video is a good explanation of the bystander effect