Need a Rule of Thumb: When is it ok to correct strangers in public?

This is a good question for this message board. I get the feeling that a lot of LRC people are extremely anti-social. Some of the stuff I read on here is borderline sociopathic (bumper sticker thread/dog thread).

Using your two scenarios, I'd do the following:

A). The guy lives in your neighborhood, so it's best to establish a friendly relationship with him. I'd walk outside with a plastic bag, hand it to him and say something friendly like, "Here you go man, don't let people around here catch you doing that or you'll have a price on your head (obviously in a joking tone). I'd also pet the dog and introduce myself. The guy will get the point and you have a new friend.

B). None of your business. Stay far away from this one.

Sorry, never added the rule of thumb.

I say keep your mouth shut unless it DIRECTLY affects you in a negative way. Not tangentially affects you, but directly affects you. So you cannot yell at the fat lady because your health costs go up, but you can politely approach the guy since his dog's shit is in the yard where your kids play.

Remember, you'll get more flies with sugar than vinegar. Weak willed people fall victim to their emotions, particularly anger. In any situation, take the high road and be the nice guy. Even if the other party deserves a swift kick in the nuts, treat them With respect. You'll likely change their ways and you could possibly make a new friend. While you may not need or want a new friend, you never want more enemies.

Plus, if you're a dick you're just asking for more of whatever it is you're railing against. Have you ever tried yelling at a group of teenagers? It doesn't matter how "right" you might be, you're just a mean old man who just painted a target on his chest.

The "advice" from LRC strangers is all good and well but the truth is no one is there but you and the strangers in question.

The only real way to know is to correct everyone you see

You'll quickly see which corrections are heeded by the offender, which are ignored or silently accepted and possibly taken into account in future scenarios, and which corrections end up being mistakes, whether by the stranger in question becoming violent or other unintended effects rendered onto you.

Only when they characterIze all road races as marathons

runnerwhoprofesses wrote:

Only when they characterIze all road races as marathons

Or even better:

"How long is your marathon gonna be?"

Don't worry I'll correct you next time I see you drinking two gallons of water before the race just to qualify for clydesdale

the dough boy runner wrote:

Don't worry I'll correct you next time I see you drinking two gallons of water before the race just to qualify for clydesdale

nah, you strike me as the ITG type. you would sit back and accept your bronze medal quietly, I bet ;-)

This is rock solid advice. I would make just one addition. Remember the dog guy. While it is possible he either forgot a bag (I have done this, but went back after I got home to pick it up) or doesn't think he needs to, it is probable that he just doesn't give a crap (pun intended, I guess) and doesn't think it's his problem. If you witness him not picking up after his dog again, quietly (or whistling a catchy tune), walk out, pick up the droppings yourself, follow the guy home at a safe, but noticeable distance, then dump the contents of the bag in his yard. This is probably most effective and justifiable after you have said something to him and given him the chance to make things right.

thejeff wrote:

the dough boy runner wrote:

Don't worry I'll correct you next time I see you drinking two gallons of water before the race just to qualify for clydesdale

nah, you strike me as the ITG type. you would sit back and accept your bronze medal quietly, I bet ;-)

At 6'5" and 2600 I will never get 1, 2, or 3. So that's why I don't mess around with participation trophies in any respect.

You shouldn't correct people in public unless they are endangering somebody or lying or deceiving someone purposefully.

Example of the latter: chugging two gallons to win against slower guys.

See you at the race son.

When someone is going the wrong direction on a road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_akwHYMdbsM

Rule of thumb = STEALTH. Guilt people into changing their ways, but make them think it was THEIR idea not yours.

1. Have your dog take a shit in HIS yard (if you don't have a dog, I'm sure you'll think of a creative alternative)

2. Say "I heard a rumor you were running the Marthon? Good luck! Oh, that wasn't you? You don't exercise at all? Never mind, sorry to bother you!"

Another great post by HardLoper

the dough boy runner wrote:

thejeff wrote:

nah, you strike me as the ITG type. you would sit back and accept your bronze medal quietly, I bet ;-)

At 6'5" and 2600 I will never get 1, 2, or 3. So that's why I don't mess around with participation trophies in any respect.

You shouldn't correct people in public unless they are endangering somebody or lying or deceiving someone purposefully.

Example of the latter: chugging two gallons to win against slower guys.

See you at the race son.

Sounds good, dad :-)

PS- you are better than this. I believe in you.

No prob son you just make sure you eat lots of butter and don't take a dump before your weigh in for the Clydesdale cheat k

the dough boy runner wrote:

No prob son you just make sure you eat lots of butter and don't take a dump before your weigh in for the Clydesdale cheat k

Will that get me to 2600?

PS- find someone else to stalk. I am not into it.

Stop making threads that suck and I will.

The dog problem is easily remedied by picking it up yourself, following the guy home and placing it on his doorstep. Either unbagged or in a flaming paper bag is fine.

My rules of Thumb:

1. Is it a safety issue?

2. Does it look like

a) They aren't packing a side iron.

b) I could out run/limp them for 50 yards.

c) I could kick their ass quickly if attacked.

Otherwise, I just privately shake my head and wait for some other

citizen to pick up the slack.

With the dog waste thing, I might say, "Hey, I'm sure you just forgot to bring the plastic bags today, and then offer to hand them something -- I usually have kleenex in my back pocket in case of a runny nose, I'd offer them that.

In a mall, if I see a parent hit a child, hard, or more than once... well usually someone is chastising them before I get that close, but I look for a mall cop that might be sentient, and ask them to call CPS. It's a tough one, 3 year olds can't think or employ logic, and seeing a parent whoop on a human that young, chaffs my hide...assume it does for most of us.

I don't think you should correct people unless you are some sort of authority figure in their life.