Expats

Helpers scared off by fear of con artists

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-16 07:56

Expert advice | Liu Jiwei

Editor's note: Liu Jiwei is an attorney with Chunlin Law Firm in Beijing.

Chinese people, especially those living in cities, are usually not willing to get involved in street fights because they've forgotten the traditional etiquette of helping others and now instead practice what has become the modern mantra: "Avoid trouble whenever possible."

The vast majority of people now believe that the less trouble they are tangled up in, the better.

Indeed, from a legal standpoint, there are no laws in place that actually say citizens are obligated to mediate when a quarrel or violent struggle takes place in public.

In other words, if a person walks past a street fight without casting even a glimpse, he or she faces no punishment.

However, from the moral side of things, it's unethical behavior. Being a Good Samaritan and taking action should be promoted among citizens, which would help to create and maintain a better social environment.

The other reason that people turn their backs on incidents like this is that there are too many con artists nowadays. They take advantage of people's kindness and punish them.

It was reported in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, that a young man helped an elderly lady crossing a busy street. She fell down in the middle of

the road and falsely claimed that he pushed her on purpose. The man

ended up paying 400,000 yuan in compensation.

We see so many cases like this in the media, which explains why so many people are so very cautious when it comes to helping people. It's the current social climate. When something like this is formed, there is no quick cure for it.

In my opinion, the best solution is for the media to stop reporting so much on these sensational swindle cases and instead promote good social deeds. Schools should also start teaching students about moral behavior at a young age.

Liu Jiwei was talking to Wang Wei.

(China Daily 02/16/2011 page26)