Dear Heloise: I came upon a fight between three girls, and I was shocked that other witnesses were just standing around filming the fight instead of calling for help.
What should I have done?-Becky D., age 15, in Pennsylvania
Becky, you should have called for help, whether that be a teacher, a parent or 911 for a police officer.
The phenomenon of people watching an "escalated situation" (a fight, a car accident, a fire) is called "the bystander effect."
When people gather around these scenes, a group mentality can kick in, and people want the "I was there" sensation.
ALWAYS think "safety first." If someone needs help, get help! Shooting video is not a priority.-Heloise
Think First!
Dear Heloise: To add to the hint that everything online is there forever, people need to remember that all that information can be copied. Even if you delete something you've posted, it could have already been shared. An age-old saying is helpful to remember, whether you are writing or speaking to someone:
T-is it true?
H-is it helpful?
I-is it inspiring?
N-is it necessary?
K-is it kind?
-A Reader in San Antonio
I Can See Clearly Now
Dear Heloise: My co-worker and I had a disagreement, so my supervisor had us switch desks for the day.
This gave us a totally new perspective on our work environment. This may not be practical for some offices, but it worked great for us.-Colleen N. in Ohio
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