I have no idea what I'd do in that situation, although history tells me I'd probably try to help and end up getting stabbed myself. I can't help it: adrenaline or whatever kicks in when I see something like that happening. I was bartending at a real hole years back, and we didn't have any kind of security. It was always just me on shift too, so I was left to my own devices. It was a neighborhood bar that attracted almost strictly regulars, though, so there were few worries.
(yes, I was young and very very dumb)
One evening a group of six or seven people whom I'd never seen before came in and loudly bellied up. Their volume increased as they heckled one of my regulars. Next thing I knew, the regular wasn't in his seat and neither were two of the strangers. Another regular told me they'd all gone outside. I called the police, then went outside to where one of the strangers was going at the regular with a shovel, and he was bleeding profusely. I didn't even think about it; I rushed over, tried to wrestle the shovel out of the dude's hands, and I ended up crumpled on the ground, completely knocked out. The black eye showed up later. My regular ended up with eighteen stitches on his head, and thirty something on one of his arms. He couldn't go back to work for weeks.
Not only was I totally ineffective in helping my customer, but I also got hurt. Sort of goes against the point.
I have no ill feelings toward the people who didn't help. It was probably better they didn't, in fact.
(yes, I was young and very very dumb)
One evening a group of six or seven people whom I'd never seen before came in and loudly bellied up. Their volume increased as they heckled one of my regulars. Next thing I knew, the regular wasn't in his seat and neither were two of the strangers. Another regular told me they'd all gone outside. I called the police, then went outside to where one of the strangers was going at the regular with a shovel, and he was bleeding profusely. I didn't even think about it; I rushed over, tried to wrestle the shovel out of the dude's hands, and I ended up crumpled on the ground, completely knocked out. The black eye showed up later. My regular ended up with eighteen stitches on his head, and thirty something on one of his arms. He couldn't go back to work for weeks.
Not only was I totally ineffective in helping my customer, but I also got hurt. Sort of goes against the point.
I have no ill feelings toward the people who didn't help. It was probably better they didn't, in fact.
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
