Singlish | 
the 18 who did nothing
The China double hit-and-run case has stirred up a wave of criticism on the 18 passerbys who did not offer help to the 2 years old girl, and the state of moral value in the country. While I think no one will dispute that it was a sad case that such incident happened, but I was quite disturbed by the sudden appearances of so many moral policemen.
It is very easy to make comments when you are miles away from the scene, more bystanders than the 18 passerbys. Have you been to China? How much do you understand the society? Have you heard of cases when drivers stopped to offer help to broken down vehicles on the highway only to be robbed? Have you heard of people helping fallen down old people only to be accused of pushing them? Have you heard of people helping a lost child in the department store then to be accused of abduction? If you haven't, then you may want to think again whether you had make an unfair judgement on the 18 passerbys who didn't offer help. If you were at the scene, would you have done otherwise? (this is a question which I myself don't have a sure answer)
Closer to home, have we always been doing the so-called morally right things? As a student when the invilgilator has said stop, have you reported anyone who was still scribbing away? When you see people tossing the cigarrette butt or tissue paper on the road, have you told them off? Even simpler, do you move to the back of the bus?
Donating a dollar or two on flag day doesn't mean you are a better person than any of the 18.
It is very easy to make comments when you are miles away from the scene, more bystanders than the 18 passerbys. Have you been to China? How much do you understand the society? Have you heard of cases when drivers stopped to offer help to broken down vehicles on the highway only to be robbed? Have you heard of people helping fallen down old people only to be accused of pushing them? Have you heard of people helping a lost child in the department store then to be accused of abduction? If you haven't, then you may want to think again whether you had make an unfair judgement on the 18 passerbys who didn't offer help. If you were at the scene, would you have done otherwise? (this is a question which I myself don't have a sure answer)
Closer to home, have we always been doing the so-called morally right things? As a student when the invilgilator has said stop, have you reported anyone who was still scribbing away? When you see people tossing the cigarrette butt or tissue paper on the road, have you told them off? Even simpler, do you move to the back of the bus?
Donating a dollar or two on flag day doesn't mean you are a better person than any of the 18.
Largely agree with what you said. Guess it's easy to point fingers. Was also wondering if the same accident happened in Singapore, will the same chain of events also have happened (quite likely since have Singaporeans say they would not interfere if they saw a man quarreling and getting physical with a woman in public).
A Lianhe Zaobao columnist, referring to 孟子曰：“恻隐之心，人皆有之”, recently wrote that although it is perhaps human nature to want to help others in need, this natural tendency is clouded by rational thinking.