A sad story...

Right now a big story in China is about a 2 year old girl who died after she was run over twice.  18 pedestrians walked by before someone helped. 

Overall I've noticed that the Chinese are not likely to help other people in situations like these.  Before this happened I'd talked about this exact thing with someone who's been here for a while and he pointed out that they're so close to their families but wouldn't help someone bleeding on the street. When you're living in a country with a population of 1.3 billion people is it easier to turn your head?  I suppose you have to put yourself and family first.

For this story 2 obvious groups have formed.  One group is upset that no one would stop to help and let an innocent little girl die. The other group admits they would not have stopped either.  There was a case in 2006 where the good samaritan was convicted of hurting the woman he helped.    The judge in the case ruled that 'common sense dictated that only the person who hit her would take her to the hospital'.  This has obviously discouraged people even more.  I think it has caused a 3rd group to form - a group that wouldn't have helped before but after seeing something so horrible has caused them to rethink what they would do if they met a situation such as this one.

I noticed a few things about a news report I watched.  They show the entire video - even the girl being run over.  Then they show the parents of the girl watching the video of their daughter being run over.  Finally the reporter does her stand up at the hospital with the girl (brain dead) in the background.   

Overall this was eye opening for the Chinese.  I'm not sure it will change much but at least it has got them thinking.

In America I really believe we would stop for a little girl, with no parents around, lying in the street. I can't imagine one person walking by her without stopping.