Would YOU stop if you saw a neighbor with car trouble on the side of a road? What if it was raining? Hard?
A quarter of Texans say they would not. And even more dramatic - half of Americans say they would not help a recognized neighbor with car problems in extremely bad weather (snow in the north; severe rain elsewhere). Psychologist Dr. John Huber says in the last couple of decades we have become more selective in our neighborliness. "I see a car broken down on the road. Someone I know. One of my neighbors. Is it the neighbor who lets their dog bark all night long or the one who knows my birthday?!?"
Why wouldn't ANYONE who recognizes someone with car trouble stop? Dr. Huber reminds us: "Everybody has both kinds of those neighbors 1) the one who's driving you nuts and 2) the one who will do anything for you. One of the biggest contributors that I see to people not helping their neighbors --- you don't really know your neighbors!" Years ago Americans were known for their good relations with their neighbors, but now life is busier and faster paced. Dr. Huber adds there's a self-centeredness part of us that wants to help a neighbor who will be beneficial to us in the future!
photo:Getty
Flat tire of a friend's car on the side of the road. Will you stop?