See Something, Say Something & Social Anxiety

[Xervello]

I'm sure most of you are familiar with that psychopath in Cleveland who abducted, tortured and assaulted three girls for over ten years at his home. It made me wonder though, if you saw something suspicious would Your anxiety prevent you from telling someone about it? Or if you saw someone DO something, would your anxiety prevent you from doing anything about it?

Now, there are people who Don't suffer from social anxiety that look the other way or run in the opposite direction if something bad is going down. It's a broad, natural, human instinct. But for those of us who may find the courage to do what's right, does your anxiety negate that? Or make you think twice? Just curious.

 

[theoutsider]

If I saw someone actually doing something wrong and harmful, I wouldn't have a problem with reporting it. My problem is when there's a situation where there's potential for harm but the person hasn't done anything yet. For example, my condo is secured and we all have a special FOB to let us into our building. They put up a notice that if someone tries to piggyback their way in, we should question who they are and who they are coming to see. Nobody has tried to gain entrance behind me after I buzz myself in but I find myself extremely anxious at the thought of having to question somebody. I'm sure 9.999 times out of ten it would be innocent, maybe just another neighbor I haven't met yet letting him/herself in. I have piggybacked off others, myself at times without being questioned. The idea of offending somebody by questioning them makes me tense and uncomfortable.

 

[paintedblue]

If I saw someone actually doing something wrong and harmful, I wouldn't have a problem with reporting it. My problem is when there's a situation where there's potential for harm but the person hasn't done anything yet. For example, my condo is secured and we all have a special FOB to let us into our building. They put up a notice that if someone tries to piggyback their way in, we should question who they are and who they are coming to see. Nobody has tried to gain entrance behind me after I buzz myself in but I find myself extremely anxious at the thought of having to question somebody. I'm sure 9.999 times out of ten it would be innocent, maybe just another neighbor I haven't met yet letting him/herself in. I have piggybacked off others, myself at times without being questioned. The idea of offending somebody by questioning them makes me tense and uncomfortable.

There's an episode of Seinfeld with a similar premise about the neighbor being locked out by jerry cause he doesn't know him

But I agree if I actually SAW something happening where a person/animal is or might be put in danger then yes, no hesitation, i dont think my anxiety would negate it if I SAW something, no way i'd call the authorities immediately. The problem would be those situations where you don't know the whole story. You see something, it may look suspicious but you don't really know what the deal is. If you say something it may turn out that yes you busted someone doing something terrible or you could alienate someone by bringing the authorities on them when they've done nothing harmful. Fortunately I haven't been out into this kind of situation yet.

 

[theoutsider]

There's an episode of Seinfeld with a similar premise about the neighbor being locked out by jerry cause he doesn't know him

But I agree if I actually SAW something happening where a person/animal is or might be put in danger then yes, no hesitation, i dont think my anxiety would negate it if I SAW something, no way i'd call the authorities immediately. The problem would be those situations where you don't know the whole story. You see something, it may look suspicious but you don't really know what the deal is. If you say something it may turn out that yes you busted someone doing something terrible or you could alienate someone by bringing the authorities on them when they've done nothing harmful. Fortunately I haven't been out into this kind of situation yet.

LOL! I'm familiar with that Seinfeld episode and actually thought about it as I was typing my example. That would totally be me. I'd find myself stuck on the elevator with the person I denied entry to or it would turn out to be my new next door neighbor and we would never get along from that point.