No Courtesy, Care, Regard - Nothing!

[seaeagle]

I have to relate a couple of incidents that have involved my family this week. I'm staggered and appalled.......read on.

Last Sunday, my wife (Thai), daughter and I were coming out of Tesco's car park in Rawai, when I saw a young Thai couple in trouble with their car. He had the hood lid up, and was just emerging from the boot of his car with a set of jump leads in his hand.

Without a seconds hesitation, I moved my car closer, and asked if he wanted a jump-start. That's what he wanted, so we connected up. Got my engine going, and his fired up first time. He and his wife / girlfriend were very grateful, lots of smiles and wai's, and we went on our separate ways.

Now, where is the big deal in that? As far as I'm concerned, it's the thing to do.

Coincidentally, we move on to Wednesday afternoon. I'm not in the car this time, but my wife is in her own at the 'Central Darasamuth Junction'. Heading towards Makro, she's in traffic, and stalls the car. Guess what - she can't get it started again because the battery is flat.

She manages to push it into the lay-by near Thai Naan Restaurant, and tries again. No luck, so she gets our jump leads from the boot.

So, we have an ordinary saloon car, with a young woman (32), simply requiring a jump start.

She first asked another female who was on her own to help her. The woman flatly refused. Then she asked a guy in a truck to help her, and he refused saying that he was frightened he'd damage his own battery. It was at this point I received a tearful, panicky call from my wife, saying that she'd broken down and nobody would help her.

I am absolutely stunned, appalled, ashamed at this behaviour from Thais to their own kind. They push this facade forward of being gentle and considerate and wanting to do good things to 'make merit', and then act completely to the contrary. If those 2 who refused believe in karma, then I hope they come back as <deleted> cockroaches.

Very often here, we talk about culture. Well, in my culture (British), we assist and help people who are in difficulties like my wife was, not ignore them and leave them in trouble.

[Slaps]

And you would do the same again

That's the way we are

The time I've had and given jump starts must be in the hundreds

[ozymandious]

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's experience. I believe in "car karma" and give a jump whenever I can. Perhaps those who did not help will have car troubble on day and receive the same denial of help...

[Benjie]

Sorry but I'm from Britain also and I'd hardly say it's in our culture to help each other, we hardly even acknowledge each other passing in the street.

It just sounds like it's different helping someone in this situation in a car park than a busy junction/main road if you ask me.

[samuibeachcomber]

many thais do the wai,give food and incense stick to buddha statues,and very rarely follow the buddha's teaching(same as christians).

and yes it probably was a lot easier to help jump start in a car park than on a busy road.Still disappointing though for your wife.

My mother in law stole 30,000 baht from me once,well 50,000 actually but i recovered the balance after a lot of shouting and threatening,and this lady will close her shop(so no income) for 5 days to stay and worship at the local wat.hipocracy all round.

[Lannatyne]

Sorry but I'm from Britain also and I'd hardly say it's in our culture to help each other, we hardly even acknowledge each other passing in the street.

It just sounds like it's different helping someone in this situation in a car park than a busy junction/main road if you ask me.

Well, that comment just says everything about you! I suppose it does depend a lot on your upbringing, where you lived and where you live now. My home area is the north of England and we're brought up to be friendly and helpful.......and I refuse to sink down to the level of those people who have lived here a long time, and get the comment made about them : "he's been here too long".

As the second poster implies, .....if this had happened to me, I'd still do it again because that's the way I am. Shame, shame, shame on those who ignored this woman.

[seaeagle]

Just to clarify for those two saying it would be difficult on a busy road................ it was in the lay-by beside Thai Naan Restaurant, and the drivers she approached were parked up.

Still think it's too difficult to help someone???

[Jingthing]

When someone tells you they are concerned that giving a jump may harm their own car, in many cases they are telling you the truth. Jumps done improperly can damage the car giving the jump.

[Benjie]

Sorry but I'm from Britain also and I'd hardly say it's in our culture to help each other, we hardly even acknowledge each other passing in the street.

It just sounds like it's different helping someone in this situation in a car park than a busy junction/main road if you ask me.

Well, that comment just says everything about you! I suppose it does depend a lot on your upbringing, where you lived and where you live now. My home area is the north of England and we're brought up to be friendly and helpful.......and I refuse to sink down to the level of those people who have lived here a long time, and get the comment made about them : "he's been here too long".

As the second poster implies, .....if this had happened to me, I'd still do it again because that's the way I am. Shame, shame, shame on those who ignored this woman.

No need to get offensive, I'm a perfectly affable character who was brought up very well, well enough not to make wild offensive statements without knowing anything about someone.

[steelepulse]

I would dare to say that both people that were asked have no idea about jumping a car with cables. For many people here, they've only been driving a very short while and never had a proper driving lesson or education. To the uninformed, it's very logical to think you'llharm your vehicle by using cables, especially when they see sparks etc.

Sounds to me like bad luck on the choice of possible helpers.

[WarpSpeed]

Sorry but I'm from Britain also and I'd hardly say it's in our culture to help each other, we hardly even acknowledge each other passing in the street.

It just sounds like it's different helping someone in this situation in a car park than a busy junction/main road if you ask me.

An honest bloke, I was just thinking this myself sadly having experienced f'all from anyone in any situation in which I've needed it though I've helped, even literally saved the lives of at least 2 of Britain's citizens over the course of my life at the cost of my own serious inconvenience...

*edit* With the exception of several kind Thais on occasion...

Edited January 22, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[Peterocket]

I think two people declining to give me or my mrs a jump start would be annoying but not really any more than that.

I certainly wouldnt be 'stunned and appalled'. Thats just me though....

[powderpuff]

Let's face facts. It's all about "face" here. Which is not a lot more than looking good. Helping a stranger is not part of the deal. It's sort of like - farts are ok as long as they don't stink.

[WarpSpeed]

Well, that comment just says everything about you! I suppose it does depend a lot on your upbringing, where you lived and where you live now. My home area is the north of England and we're brought up to be friendly and helpful.......and I refuse to sink down to the level of those people who have lived here a long time, and get the comment made about them : "he's been here too long".

As the second poster implies, .....if this had happened to me, I'd still do it again because that's the way I am. Shame, shame, shame on those who ignored this woman.

Where does he say that he wouldn't help? He clearly says he admits that he's from Britain and where he's from that courtesy is lacking every bit as much as in this example..

No need to throw flaming darts when there is no ambiguity..JFYI it says nothing about him...Except what you make assumptions about and we all know what ASSumptions do to the person making them..

[Jingthing]

She should have been a bit more patient and continued to ask people for awhile. I reckon at least 1 out of 10 would have said yes and probably more.

[WarpSpeed]

No need to get offensive, I'm a perfectly affable character who was brought up very well, well enough not to make wild offensive statements without knowing anything about someone.

Touche!

[harrry]

Jump starting is fineif your car has no computer etc however unless the leads are buffered correctly may result in transients (Higher voltage spikes) bowingyoe vcomputer.... never mindonly about $5000 t get a new one. Jump starting is something I will not do either. I will help them get a mechanic but I cannot put my car at risk.

[WarpSpeed]

I would dare to say that both people that were asked have no idea about jumping a car with cables. For many people here, they've only been driving a very short while and never had a proper driving lesson or education. To the uninformed, it's very logical to think you'llharm your vehicle by using cables, especially when they see sparks etc.

Sounds to me like bad luck on the choice of possible helpers.

Absolutely! Very reasonable presumption and in that case it is better they not jump the car so as not to maim or even kill themselves or your loved one, a very real possibility with an improperly executed jump start where the battery can even explode violently. The comment made by the male driver is a perfect example of ignorance on jumping her battery...

[F1fanatic]

Sorry but I'm from Britain also and I'd hardly say it's in our culture to help each other, we hardly even acknowledge each other passing in the street.

It just sounds like it's different helping someone in this situation in a car park than a busy junction/main road if you ask me.

Have to say I disagree about Britain.

Yes, we never acknowledge each other when passing in the road unless we know each other, but when someone's in trouble - we help.

[fiddlehead]

This story brings to my mind a time when I was travelling in the US and saw a woman frantically waving from the side of the road.

It was a busy highway, perhaps an Interstate (divided 4 lane road that cross the whole country)

When I stopped she practically got down on her hands and knees to thank me.

She was bloodied from having her car hit from behind when she pulled over onto the shoulder and the car that hit her took off.

Her face hit the windshield and she had been trying to flag down help for over an hour! (this was before the world of cell phones)

No one stopped.

Sometimes it's a sad world.

I agree that building up your "broke-down" karma is a good thing but it doesn't always provide quick results.

[patong]

Have to say I disagree about Britain.

Yes, we never acknowledge each other when passing in the road unless we know each other, but when someone's in trouble - we help.

i have too agree with the last reply.

[Old Croc]

A few months back I became aware that a Chinese guy parked across the road from my house (in Australia) couldn't start his car. When I realised it was battery trouble I drove my car across the road to get him started. He was astonished that someone would help in this way and had resigned himself to a long wait until help arrived from friends.

When I got back into the house I found that my Thai girlfriend had taken a series of pictures of the event. Obviously she considered it a highly unusual thing to do.

Australia is perhaps a bit different from many other countries in that ignoring someone broken down in a remote area could result in their deaths. Therefore an aussie will usually automatically stop and help.

Incidently, earthing the negative jumper lead on the body or engine of the jumper car, not on the negative terminal, will stop any possible problems to car computers.

[happyinkathu]

A few months back I became aware that a Chinese guy parked across the road from my house (in Australia) couldn't start his car. When I realised it was battery trouble I drove my car across the road to get him started. He was astonished that someone would help in this way and had resigned himself to a long wait until help arrived from friends.

When I got back into the house I found that my Thai girlfriend had taken a series of pictures of the event. Obviously she considered it a highly unusual thing to do.

Australia is perhaps a bit different from many other countries in that ignoring someone broken down in a remote area could result in their deaths. Therefore an aussie will usually automatically stop and help.

Incidently, earthing the negative jumper lead on the body or engine of the jumper car, not on the negative terminal, will stop any possible problems to car computers.

Jump starting a car can be very dangerous..a single spark can cause battery fumes to ignite and result in the battery exploding in your face!

What you said above is not correct, both in proceedure and in stopping damage to the cars computer. Firstly ,the computer is likely to be damaged once the leads are connected and the battery receives the extra power. I am not an electro-specialist myself but was told that this initial ''spike'' can be very high voltage,,thereby causing the damage. A lot of modern cars advise NOT to jump start.

Here is the correct proceedure:

First ..Attach one end of one cable to the dead battery's positive terminal.

<LI>Second..Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the battery in the jumper vehicle.

<LI>Third...Attach one end of the other cable to the negative terminal of the battery in the jumper vehicle.

<LI>Forth... Attach the other end of the negative cable to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Look for unpainted metal surfaces and be sure it will clear anything moving when the car starts. Do not attach the negative cable to the dead battery itself.

This is the opposite to what you said above.

Doing in this sequence will prevent sparking and reduce the risk of explosion...it will not prevent possible computer damage.

[zzaa09]

I would dare to say that both people that were asked have no idea about jumping a car with cables. For many people here, they've only been driving a very short while and never had a proper driving lesson or education. To the uninformed, it's very logical to think you'llharm your vehicle by using cables, especially when they see sparks etc.

Sounds to me like bad luck on the choice of possible helpers.

Have to wonder if this might be a city vs. country scenario. Would have the Missus had any trouble obtaining help if her circumstances were in a rural locale?

[Old Croc]

You're right! I had it the wrong way around. The earthing is done on the car with the discharged battery.

My apologies, I hope no one blew up their vehicle in the interim.

Thanks for the correction Happy.

[happyinkathu]

You're right! I had it the wrong way around. The earthing is done on the car with the discharged battery.

My apologies, I hope no one blew up their vehicle in the interim.

Thanks for the correction Happy.

No problems mate.....hope you don't get any repair bills sent to you..

My main point though is that jumpstarting is wrongly considered as a ''no brainer''...its not.And maybe why the op had problems getting help IMO.

[ScubaBuddha]

"The Straight Dope" on jump starting and injuries due to exploding batteries:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2...-a-dead-battery

[katabeachbum]

I come from a country with snow and ice, thus frequent car problems. So its in my backbone to assist anyone having problems on the road. The thais are almost shocked when I offer them to assist, wether its pulling their car out of a ditch or jumpstarting. Its not in their culture to help someone they dont know. I have had thai passangers when assisting someone, they keep on talking about it for a week. Years later i have been appoached by some guy I dont reckognize, and he says "you repaired my auto when I couldnt get in Drive". Guess i have friends for life

BTW, jumpstarting from a modern car may cause expensive harm to electronics. The smaller cars battery, the more chance to harm electronics.

[patong]

by a loud banging on the door.

The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger is standing in the pouring rain. "Any chance of a push?", he asks.

"No way," says the husband, "it is 3 o'clock in the morning!"

He slams the door and returns to bed.

"Who was that?" asked his wife.

"Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.

"Did you help him?" she asks.

"No, I did not, it's 3 o'clock in the morning and it's pouring out there!"

"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife.

"Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down and those two guys helped us with a push? You should be ashamed of yourself, now go out and help him"

The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pourding rain.

He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"

"Yes" comes back the answer.

"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.

"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.

"Ok, where are you?" asks the husband.

"Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk.

[Semper]

Jump starting is fineif your car has no computer etc however unless the leads are buffered correctly may result in transients (Higher voltage spikes) bowingyoe vcomputer.... never mindonly about $5000 t get a new one. Jump starting is something I will not do either. I will help them get a mechanic but I cannot put my car at risk.

Do you bring your mobile to the shop when recharging?