As we become busy with our day-to-day lives, it's easy to take the little things for granted. Because we expect everything to run smoothly all of the time, when things do develop differently than we expect them to, it can certainly have a huge impact upon us.
This is certainly what happened in China last summer with the 60-mile traffic jam that lasted for two weeks. It didn't take the locals long to determine that a little bit of money could be made from the situation. When situations like these arise, what do they mean for the rest of us? Have we lost a little empathy for others? Are we prone to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself?
I think that this would be a very serious situation to be in. Not having a restroom not having any food, or having to walk a ways to the nearest food or restroom stop. I would feel very packed together with all of those people behind and infront of me. Just think of what could have happened if someone from another country, possibly a terrorist, saw that this was happening and he/she could have bombed this area and taken so many peoples lives. I also believe that this would have been a great period of time for the gas stations and tow companies to make lots of money with people running out of gas and such.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't fair to the travelers that were visting China because, the visitors aren't going to have pleasant memories of China. I think some of the ways the could've solved this by starting to back cars up. If I were in this situation I would've got frustrated very quickly.
ReplyDeleteThat to me seems really stressful. I would hate to be in that traffic jam. I wonder how the families of the people in that traffic jam felt? I bet they were very worried, I know I would.
ReplyDeleteI think we do take little things in our day to day lives because, the little things that we could care about we choose to ignore. For example we could help someone that is struggling with there supply's they bought out of the store. When situations like these occur the thing they mean for the rest of us is, that we don't choose to care or help these people. I think we have lost empathy for others because we don't notice them, people treat them like dirt. We're prone to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely would not have been a good situation to be stuck in... However, it would have been a very good opportunity for the people that reside near by, because then they could sell food and drinks to the people that are stuck in the jam. So.. For some people this would have been a very beneficial thing, and for others it clearly would not have been.
ReplyDeleteThat would seem like a very bad position to be in. No food for a long time, no water. Plus no bathroom, you would have to walk a very long ways in able to do those things. Which would be very stressful for the travelers. I can imagine with all that traffic at least one person might have been claustrophobic. This would be good for some and bad for most. a none stop killer maybe The zodiac out of the country could've came up killed more people and cops probably couldn't have even come to the rescue cause of the traffic. Although the gas stations would've been very victorious because of the sales. The visitors from other countries probably didn't have a very good experience with their vacation.
ReplyDeleteP.S. this is Rachel.
Well I dont like taking advantage of others but all I have to say about this is why do we think in La La Land and only think, Oh I'm So Glad I'm not In a 3rd World Country. What we need really is a someone who could really make a difference in someone else's life.
ReplyDeleteWell, if it was me, I would do the same thing. You don't have food, water, or any place to use the restroom. And to go to sleep. And their families would be worried about him/ her. So I would DEFINITELY take advantage of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI for one, would definitely not enjoy that. At all. No food, no water, no bathroom, no good. Also, having no place to sleep? Well, let's just say you probably wouldn't want to be around me. As for the people selling them food (especially that man the article high-lighted), I don't think I'd like them very much. Judging by that last remark, at least.
ReplyDeleteIt would be bad to be stuck in this also with family. So you have no food no water but it is good for some people. People could like sell food water and other supplies. You would want to buy that so they would really get a lot of money. So me I would take the advantage.
ReplyDeleteIt would be really unpleasant to be stuck in a traffic jam for two weeks. You wouldn't have much food or water with you if not any or a bathroom. I'm sure the peoples family's you would be really worried. On the other hand it would be really good for the nearby businesses to come sell food though.
ReplyDeleteThis situation is isn't the best to be in, especially without food, water, or a bathroom. I think that taking another persons disadvantage and turning into a advantage for yourself is very selfish. On the other hand, it was a clever idea. Also, some of the farmers with fresh fruit or vegetables were able to sell them before the food went rotten.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite a quandary, if you were stuck in this you wouldn't know how far it is or how long it would take to wait to get out. Not even considering the fact that most of them have no consumables or restroom. I think that it's good that people sold food to the people stuck in the jam, they provided food and it was kind. But, it still is quite an uncomfortable situation even with food.
ReplyDeleteMost people, like eandrewstplc, acknowledge that this type of situation benefits some (those selling goods) while it negatively impacts others (those stuck in the traffic jam). Is it okay that people are being taken advantage of during times like these? Is that simply human nature? What, if anything, can be done to help? Or should those folks just figure out how to get by on their own?
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that a couple of people commented that this would be a horrible experience for tourists (particularly international tourists). My question: is it okay for those who live in China to experience such a thing? Are we only concerned about the tourists? If so, why is that?
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ReplyDeleteI think that this is quite a quandary there is some poverty in China and there is a lot of rich people to it depends on who you are and what you did was good or bad. All religion teaches that you must be kind to others and so these people did it for money it seems a little bit questionable.
ReplyDeleteWhile it might be a bad experience for the people stuck in the traffic jam, and more than likely give the tourists stuck in the jam a bad first impression of China, it also gives them a look at a reality that they haven't seen on a travel log.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if I were stuck in the cold without food, water, or even a bathroom I would not be happy. I think that after reading this I will be sure to have some form of supplies in my vehicle. I would hate being away from my loved ones and being alone for so long. I know this must have been a terrible experience that everyone was glad to get out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think that if I was stuck in the cold without food or water or anything that I need or want, I don't think I would be very happy. After reading this I'm more thankful that thats never happend to me. I'm also pretty sure that I'll keep supplies in my vehicle.
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