Zurich, where I live, is generally a pretty safe place1. The only time I don’t feel super safe is when I’m cycling on roads next to careless drivers. Part of that feeling of safety is that whenever I’ve been in a situation that wasn’t going well, there have always been other people around, and there’s always someone willing to help.
Recently, I was in one of our local grocers to get a drink while hiking (well, it was only just the start). I was waiting at the cash register when another customer went off at the cashier for no apparent reason. In no time—seconds, really—several people were standing next to him, trying to calm him down. He wasn’t super threatening, but he was unnecessarily rude and loud. And while that situation was certainly uncomfortable, it was really nice to see how quickly people gathered and how quickly they started to intervene. And not just any people. A guy wearing a white shirt and tie on this very Saturday. Another person looked like they were coming from, or going to, bouldering. And finally, a guy wearing hiking boots.
I understand that people would rather not cause a public scene. I understand that people would rather not bother others going about their mundane stuff. But people are always happy to help.
I don’t mind standing up for people. I don’t mind helping people out when they’re in an uncomfortable situation. In fact, I’m very happy to help, and so are many others.
If you’ve drunk too much and need help to get home, ask for it. Chances are you’ll find a decent person, and they’ll help. If you’ve taken some drugs and don’t feel right anymore, ask for help; people will help, and it will definitely turn out better than not asking.
And if you don’t feel safe because someone is invading your space or keeps talking to you even though you don’t want them to, speak up. Ask for help. I will always try to help, and so will many others.
Of course, this is always a relative statement. The feeling of safety is different for every person, and I’m very much aware it might be different, for example, for women. But as for me, I feel mostly very safe. ↩︎