"sheepdog" vs. regular old good samaritan

[NOLA556]

 just something that's been rolling through my head as of late...

I was at the drugstore around the corner from my house (I thought about OC'ing but decided against it because I was in a hurry and didn't think I had time to strap up. long story, not worth elaborating), and in front of me in line there was a guy in an electric wheelchair accompanied by another really skeezy looking guy. The skeezy looking guy kept taunting the one in the chair. He was holding a cold soda can and putting it on the other guy's neck, and each time, the guy in the chair would cringe. The one in the chair was also the one buying.

So as I'm standing there I get to thinking, "what if this skeezy looking asshole is forcing this disabled guy to buy him his petty drugstore purchases, and fucking with him in the meantime?"

I kept a close eye on the both of them until they left, and it was my turn. I hurried up and got outside as soon as I could to see if they were still there, and they were. Turns out they were buddies. (it became obvious after watching them for another minute or two)

Now, let's imagine that the situation was different and the skeezy guy really WAS robbing this disabled guy. What should be done if you're the only one around who cares enough to do something?

This is what I mean by "sheepdog vs. good samaritan". Is there any difference? Would a "sheepdog" do more than a regular old good guy? If so, what?

It was actually kind of a disturbing experience. I was THIS close *holds fingers really close together* to walking up and punching this fucking asshole right in the side of his dirty fucking head for what he was doing to that poor disabled man, but it turned out they were buddies.

Is a "sheepdog" more on-edge, therefore more prone to overreacting?

IMO, the lesson learned here is not to go looking for trouble. Be on high alert at all times, but don't jump the gun because you may end up doing something that you regret. Just be a good person and act when needed, but not before.

[Colombo]

Knowing the situation is essential before acting, even an apparent assault on a woman could turn into a disaster for you when the woman turns on you for attacking or even confronting her significant other. Pulling a weapon or even just confronting an unknown situation could land your word against an innocent couples in the eyes of the almost always responding to a call law enforcement.

[JohnyMac]

When living in Seattle I once stepped in when a man was bitch slapping a women. They both turned on me  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

I have had similar situations as you described NOLA and what I have done is OBVIOUSLY stand there watching the scene play out. In every case nothing has happened where I had to step in. 

With that said, I remember chasing a pick pocket from my store for about a mile. Finally the cops caught up and they busted the guy. It turned out that there was a bench warant out for this guy and he went to jail on that warant. About a year and a half later I was subpoena and had to go and testify against him for the pick pocketing incident. He was released on "time served."  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

[APX808]

My approach is to not interfere unless there is no doubt that help is needed.
When I saw borderline situations, mainly guys bitch slapping girls or shit like that, I just notified a near law enforcement official.

And Its illegal to carry in my country... I think that if I was carrying I would be even more reticent to interfere because if you get involved in a fight there is going to be a gun in the equation.

I don't want to serve time just because a drunk is beating his bitch, she should know better

[mountainredneck2051]

the sheepdog thing is stupid,

mind your own business

[Reaver]

the sheepdog thing is stupid,

mind your own business

Roger fucking that.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

Now, if dude was getting his head smashed into the pavement. Different story.

Kind of like life,limb, or eyesight.
Don't bother me if its not.

[thatGuy]

Hillel the Elder once said,

"If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And when I am for myself, then what am I?"

[mountainredneck2051]

as my cousin once said
"if you keep sticking your nose in other peoples business, someone is gonna cut it the fuck off"

[thatGuy]

Pastor Martin Niem?ller said something to the effect of,

"First they came for the communists,
 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
 
Then they came for the trade unionists,
 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
 
Then they came for the Jews,
 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
 
Then they came for me
 and there was no one left to speak out for me."

[JohnyMac]

Just some fun trivia about Americas first coin "Mind Your Own Business."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugio_Cent

"On April 21, 1787, the Continental Congress of the United States authorized a design for an official penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, "Fugio" (Latin: I flee/fly). This coin was reportedly designed by Benjamin Franklin; as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, "Mind Your Business". The image and the words form a rebus meaning that time flies, do your work. This design was also used on the "Continental dollar" (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February 1776."

[WhiskeyJack]

We currently have ROL. So i would say observe and determine the actual situation. Call and report to police. Bear witness and dint physically intervine unless an actual assault takes place. And hope for other witnesses cuase no good deed goes unpunished  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

[RS762]

the sheepdog thing is stupid,

mind your own business

 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

No doubt.

[NOLA556]

the sheepdog thing is stupid,

mind your own business

normally I'd agree, but it's not something I do on purpose. I don't go around looking for little old ladies that need help crossing the street. Just every once in a while I'll see something that rubs me the wrong way and I get a lump in my throat and an intense urge to intervene. That's actually the whole point of posting the thread, to show that intervention in someone else's business isn't always a good idea and can backfire if you jump to conclusions. so in a sense I kind of was saying that you should just mind your business unless there's something blatantly obvious going on in front of you.

[mountainredneck2051]

i'm not saying never do anything, all i'm saying is the  "sheepdog" concept is fucking stupid and will land you in a world of shit

[Kobalt]

I am not a sheep dog. I watch out for myself my family and friends.

http://youtu.be/AldptFMs2AM