【英语时差8,16】介入或旁观该如何拿捏？

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Several years ago, I was standing¹ at a bus stop when suddenly a couple emerged from a nearby alley², arguing loudly. More or less in unison³, we at the bus stop all turned and looked them.

Then the man grabbed the woman by the shoulders and, yelling, began to shake her till she was about to fall to the ground.

I walked quickly to the couple and called out, "Please, sir, please stop doing that. You're hurting her."

The man did stop. His mouth agape, he stared me down and let go of the woman. Two things then occurred. The group of strangers at the bus stop turned and looked away as if nothing had happened. And, a moment later, the man and woman sauntered arm in arm back into the alley.

It is not easy to discern when to hold back and when to get involved in a potentially sticky situation. When should we say "Enough is enough," and stick our noses into something that is not ours? I can understand a person being afraid to get involved in someone else's problem because they fear first, physical danger, secondly⁴, financial damage, and thirdly, general inconvenience.

I still feel I did the right thing that day. Would I do it again today? I hope so.

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