Kevin Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Listening to Sydney FM radio so I won't be too stunned by the intonation , cadence and strange vocabulary they use next week . Right now , I think if I just say ' Too right , mate ' or ' S'truth , mate ' ; ' good on ya ' to whatever is said , I can get by . I feel daunted by these non-English speaking countries . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 WRONG CITY!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Why ? Is Melbourne radio better ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farin Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 I'd buy every regular on SF a new computer - but they'd all be Macs. yes please a MacBook if you have it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Listening to Sydney FM radio so I won't be too stunned by the intonation , cadence and strange vocabulary they use next week . Right now , I think if I just say ' Too right , mate ' or ' S'truth , mate ' ; ' good on ya ' to whatever is said , I can get by . I feel daunted by these non-English speaking countries . Good idea, Bruce... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Why ? Is Melbourne radio better ? yes it is (it'll only get better as I gradually infiltrate it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 An elderly woman today walking across the grocery store parking lot in the blazing heat, and obviously hampered by some sort of brace on her leg, stopped me to ask if I had a cell phone she could use to call her daughter because her car key wasn't working. I hesitated, and she saw it, and said, "That's okay, I'll go inside and ask." I said no - no problem. And got my phone out and she used it and everything was dandy. But I hate it that I hesitated. I hate it that I hesitated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkstones Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Growing up where I did, I've been so conditioned to be wary of anyone who approaches me, elderly or not, that I would have done the same thing as you. Your first instinct is to think about it and judge the situation as quickly as possible and then help out once you realize there's no danger/trick going on. But while you're doing that, the person can see you thinking they want to pull something on you and in the middle of all this, you then start thinking you're a horrible person for thinking about anything to start with! It's the only downside I can think of to growing up when I did, not necessarily where. You are automatically distrustful of everyone you see, whether you have a reason to be or not. My parents are both from Chicago, grew up within the city but at a much different time; 50s and 60s. I grew up there in the 80s and 90s when the area I lived in was not very conducive to raising a family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 But I hate it that I hesitated. I hate it that I hesitated. It was an unfortunate but natural response. I'd have hated it too. But, the saving grace part is, she realized the situation and understood it herself. She'd have hestitated as well, if she were in your shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Shawna, just a couple of nights ago coming home from work I passed a car along the side of the road....it was after midnite and it was on a very dark country road...no houses or stores around...they flashed there lights at me as I went by...and thiniking they probably need some kind of help....but I kept on driving...I did not have my cell phone and I was alone...I felt guilty but I was also afraid to stop to ask....I told hubby when I got home.....the car was only a couple of minutes from where I lived....hubby went to check it out with me.....It was POURING RAIN also!....Turns out they had a flat tire, and no spare tire....It was a young kid about 19 or 20...He used our cell to call his Dad.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 That was nice of you guys Laurie. The kids parents probably really appreciated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Thanks Lucky...Yeah we stuck around to make sure he showed up...I usually have my cell with me...that night I didn't..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 yeah, a single woman driving alone at night... you did exactly right. thanks for the support for my behavior, guys... makes me feel a little better. I did ask her if she needed anything else, and I would have waited with her for her daughter if I hadn't had ice cream in my cart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lea Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 The town I live in right now, I moved to because of the Shawna's and Laurie's in this world. The was over 20 years ago. Now, everyone is just afraid to do what you guy's did. How sad is that We no longer live in a society where we cane be/feel safe helping out our fellow man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 you know, and I just think of my mom needing help ever, when she's out shopping on her own or something. she's barely able to get around the house by herself, yet she insists that keep what little personal time she can (totally understandable) and get away from Dad. So I send my guardian angels to her to watch over her sometimes. What makes it stranger still is that this was a series of now 3 nice things that I've been asked to do and done. First was helping the old lady outside my condo (she is fine, actually, I saw her out walking around the other day and waved to her), then an older woman stopped us and asked if my son could lift a 5 gallon jug of water into her cart, and now this. So maybe good things come in 3s also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Oh I hear ya Shawna.....If I was that person stuck on the side of the road in the pouring rain...and someone just drove right on by me...I'd probably give them the Badfinger!....So, yeah I'm glad we were able to help...it's a good feeling, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 But I hate it that I hesitated. I hate it that I hesitated. I know how you feel. That makes you a better person. You cannot ignore what's going on around but you still believe in those things like helping each other, trust your neighbour, lend a hand and make a better world. Many years ago I was with a friend crossing a street, I saw a car running toward us at an amazing speed. I pushed my friend and jumped into the sidewalk so the car didn' t get us but it did hit the guy behind us. My first reaction was one step behind... while my friend immediately kneeled on the man on the pavement to see if she could help. I told my friend how much I hated myself for my reaction and how I was proud of her... Sometimes we have strange reactions... human ones. That doesn't mean you're a coward... but being ashamed of that nano-second is what makes us better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 But I hate it that I hesitated. I hate it that I hesitated. That very instinct has saved many women from a terrible fate. Never ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 That very instinct has saved many women from a terrible fate. Never ignore it. I'll buy that , Joe , but I can still see why she feels bad . It's relative to where you are . You live in Philly and I wouldn't even trust a cop there - just an instinctive prejudice , and the same for having grown up hearing what a hole NY is , as well . Mind you she lives there , and knowing Shawna , could clean the old girl's clock if she had to . I think what she really is stunned by is the fact , as Lea said , that there was a time when such an encounter meant nothing more than a chance to help someone or not - and she had to think about it . Let's turn the clock back , folks ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I think a different aspect of human nature takes over in this situation...it isn't about human trust, it's about how we view our personal space. Cell phones have become a very intimate, personal part of most people's lives. It is yours, it is in your pocket or bag all the time. It's on your face, your mouth, your ears...you don't want that personal space invaded. I don't want a stranger using my cell phone. Last year, a kid that I didn't know seemed stranded at a high school gym. He was probably 15-16 years old. He asked if he could use my cell phone and I told him "no" but I'll place the call for you. I did and he was able to get his ride home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 But , again , you folk are all street-wise to your situations. That kid could take your phone and run , surely . I really admire immigrants or tourists who want to go and live or hang out in major centers with their own 'rules ' - and have no idea why they would want to go through it . In my town of 35, 000 , you could ask nearly ANYONE for help and they would gladly do so , as they would enjoy a chance to poke their nose in someone else's business for a while . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 35,000? you speak of your Canadian town, obviously... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Of course .. were you thinking of Tokyo ?! Well , actually , you could likely do the same without any fear in Tokyo ( mostly ) as well . In your face NYC ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Sure, except for the occasional Sarin attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkstones Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 The town I live in is a far cry from Chicago, both size-wise and culturally but I still retain that Chicago street sense anyway. Crime around here is mostly non-existent, but I can't sleep unless every door is locked, the windows locked, the blinds pulled down, the curtains shut....if I think there's any available port of entry for an intruder, I can't sleep. If you're going to break in, you won't do it silently. You'll have to bust the door down or something. My parents tell me I'm paranoid, but I just never shook off that big-city feeling. I can't suddenly pretend I live in Mayberry and keep the front door unlocked or something. Same as if someone approaches me when I'm in public. In Chicago, you keep walking. Obviously if the person is a child or in clear distress (bleeding, showing signs of a sexual attack, screaming/hysterics) you do something, but otherwise you just keep walking. Down here, I do the same. I don't like strangers, I'm always wary of people I don't know, even if I have no reason to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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