Well, I'll assume that nobody here thinks that if you witness a murder, you shouldn't tell about it to anyone, so let's not get into that.

I created this thread because this thread brought up interesting question. Is it better to ignore people doing "bad" things to other people because its their private life and not yours? Does the fact that you are an outsider mean that you shouldn't get involved with the situation if you can possibly help it somehow? Should you not even try to do something about it? If other person is happily being ignorant about whole thing, is telling the truth bad thing to do? What if the person does know about the whole thing, but is in denial about it?

I'd rather not have people start to talk whether getting into other people's business might make things worse for everyone, I'm asking whether it is "good" or "bad" thing not get involved if you personally think they are doing something wrong. Of course, it depends on sense of moral you have I guess.

Sorry for poor grammar.

Um, yes, that's pretty much what law enforcement is for. Sometimes people just can't handle problems on their own. That being said, you shouldn't get involved if the non-offending party doesn't want you but even then, there are exceptions.

I don't think it is a good thing, but it depends. Generally, I dislike the idea that you should only interfere if what other people are doing affects you personally. I think it implies a jaded sort of selfishness that other people's problems are irrelevant in your life. However, if you don't even know the people involved, getting into things is most likely a bad idea. Just because most people would be unappreciative of a total stranger messing around in their private matters.

If it's a friend or even an acquaintance then I think it's the right thing to do.

Meh, I think whether or not you should interfere depends largely on whether or not the people in question are doing something illegal. Course, there's places in this country where doing so can get you killed, so personal safety can play a big role in staying out of other people's business.

As for non criminal activities... well, that's largely a personal judgment kind of thing, isn't it?

Reminds me of that skit from Whitest Kids You Know, where a guy sees another guy kicking someone on the ground. He knocks the attacker down and pulls up the victim, and they start kicking him - but then the first guy realizes the guy was getting kicked for a good reason, so he switches them out again, but then finds something else out, so he switches them out, etc. etc. etc.

Anyway. If it's a crime, like, obviously a crime, get the police. "Personal business" is really vague so I can't give any more of an answer than that.

Well, there can be things where something being illegal can still mean bad if you tell about it. I mean, for example, students don't like students who complain to teacher about the other students breaking the rules. Though thats rather minor and I'd rather not get argument about whether how small "crime" it is matters on whether its morally good or bad to not tell about it Ya know, because according to common sense, its not a big deal. Anyway...

^Should I give examples of "Personal business"?

But yeah, I wasn't talking about breaking crime -_-; I guess I should have included "And other sort of crimes".... Thought that "Let's not talk about witnessing a murder" would be obvious enough...*sigh* Why the heck I have to be so unclear? Of course, I guess it doesn't matter whether I intended to talk about crimes or not, its still true that some people think that you shouldn't involve yourself if your friends use drugs and stuff. I mean, that does count as crime and I guess it could also count as "Personal business"... Hmm...

edited 27th Oct '11 1:03:52 PM by SpookyMask

It can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing, you have to use your adult judgement. I think if anyone is in danger, then you should step in.

Judgment varies... Values Dissonance happens when people who from one society while in another society find out that the two societies differ on whether or not something warrants getting involved in other people's business. See Japan related examples here. More generalized examples here.

edited 27th Oct '11 1:32:34 PM by secretist

Unless these actions amount to outright aggression against someone you care about, yes, you should turn a blind eye.

And nobody should ever report a victimless crime to the pigs. Anyone who rats on people's victimless crimes (mostly vice-related) is a worthless snitch deserving of contempt.

edited 27th Oct '11 1:19:28 PM by SavageHeathen

^Why exactly is someone who reports that a worthless snitch worthy of contempt? Also how are those victimless crimes? Well, besides in the "Harming nobody else but themselves" way? Also, are the pigs the police?

Well, dang it, since you edited your original post, now nobody knows what I'm asking about xD

Anyway, I guess I can understand in the 'petty' way, though I think that depends on motives for telling about those things. Some people might tell because "Its illegal and morally wrong" some other might because they think they are "helping them" in a way.*shrugs*

edited 27th Oct '11 1:28:30 PM by SpookyMask

The OP specified that something bad would be being done to somebody else, we're not talking about 'victimless crimes'.

And my answer: yes. I'm ashamed to say that I can't guarantee I would always tell, but it would be the right thing to do. If someone is being hurt in any way, then I believe we have a duty to help them. And if the person hurting them thinks that's being a busybody... well, honestly, I can't say a person who was deliberately hurting someone else's opinion really matters to me all that much (you know, if there wasn't some reason for them to be acting that way).

edited 27th Oct '11 1:31:25 PM by ArlaGrey

Do if you think it's the right thing to do. But don't expect people to be thankful afterwards.

I'd definitely intervene if someone I gave a shit about was being assaulted; maybe intervene if it was a stranger.

Non-predatory, victimless crimes aren't my business.

Within legality, I'd let a friend know if, say, I saw his bird snogging someone else; at least I'd tell him to talk to said bird.

edited 27th Oct '11 3:27:55 PM by MRDA1981

Meddling with other people's business is how you get radical nutjobs.

It's a slippery slope. Unless someone is being hurt in a substantial manner, you should probably keep out of it.

If it's part of your life, (either through them getting you actively involved, or becoming an ongoing witness without informing anyone), then no: You should inform somebody (think carefully about who, but be sure to inform somebody, who will be able to do something).

For the same reasons I gave in the other thread: Secrecy isolates; Isolation makes people crazy; If you are being made complicit in the secrecy, then YOU will suffer from the crazing-ness of isolation.

If it's just a one time thing, people that you otherwise haven't interacted with and won't in the future, then that's a much harder question. I must say though that in all cases you should try talking to them and persuading them that they need to reveal the behaviour themselves, before you go revealing what they are doing yourself.

It all depends really. IF I see a couple having a huge screaming match I'd probably intervene on the off-chance it changes to violence later on.

On the other hand my neighbours used to yell at each other pretty regularly and maybe even hit each other but we didn't call. That was more due to the fact that it was a mother/son deal and they couldn't afford the rent solo and probably couldn't find somewhere else to live.

so circumstances. I guess.

This, big-time.

"And nobody should ever report a victimless crime to the pigs. Anyone who rats on people's victimless crimes (mostly vice-related) is a worthless snitch deserving of contempt. "

Oh Savage, you crack me up, man.

My thoughts on this are mixed. Sometimes it's a good thing, other times it can just further fuck up an already bad situation. In the end, one cannot make a blanket judgment on this topic. It really depends on the situation and people involved as to whether or not one should get involved.

When I first came to the US (I was smaller back then) there were this sisters in the school bus that wouldnt stop arguing and bothering each other.

I tried to stop them from being soo rude to each other and sometimes right down agressive but they would always say "mind your own bussines"

This actually caught me off guard because in my country people dont really use this phrase alot and interfiring in other peoples "business" is not a concept we use a lot. Sure... we dont allow strangers to randomly tells us what to do... but when we know the person and interact with said person everyday then, certain amount of interference is actually spected.

In the US on the other hand I found people to be very individualistic. I think that is the biggest flaw... or rather, sad thing about America....

People become isolated from each other and consume to feel better about themselves.

edited 27th Oct '11 5:19:39 PM by Baff

Individualism is not the problem.

Greed and selfishness are. And damn right they are separate from individualism.

To an extent, but I don't think you should just ignore people really hurting each other.

There is such a thing as being too individualistic (and Americans in general exemplify it). It's not as if we can accomplish anything genuinely significant on our own*

^{or, on the other hand, being community-minded without having a sense of self. It's really just the taking an idea too far that's the problem.}

edited 27th Oct '11 5:35:28 PM by SavageOrange

And it's called being greedy and selfish. Not to mention anomie-inducing...

No, there's a lot more to it than that.

"You can do anything if you put your mind to it" is an example. That is NOT a good meme. It's not a greedy or selfish meme, either. It's a meme that promotes unrealistic expectations and excessive stress, and tends to obscure the question of "I can do this, but SHOULD I do this?". And it's a part of that culture of excessive individualism which is particularly dominant in America. So is greed, and some senses of selfishness. And loneliness/isolation. And taking yourself too seriously.

Agreed that exaggerated individualism causes anomie though :)

edited 27th Oct '11 5:58:06 PM by SavageOrange