Post by Bob Davis on Sept 2, 2010 14:30:36 GMT
A small bit of irrelevant scene setting first just so you know where I'm coming from on a totally hypothetical situation (as I wasn't actually there at the time).
I run a Saturday morning dojo in a small village teaching "kids" karate to a group of 6-11 year olds and a couple of mothers. There is a general store come coffee shop in the village which I visit after training (as I feel I deserve a cup of coffee and a slice of cake after that ).
Walked in there last Saturday to be greeted with "We could have done with you here on Tuesday". Turns out they were raided by two masked men armed with hammers who took the contents of the till (a very small amount of cash as everyone in the village pays on account). My first reaction (and comment) was that even if I had been there I doubt that I'd have put myself at risk for the sake of some cash (not sure that's what they were expecting) but the truth is I have no idea how I would have reacted.
Logically I wouldn't put my self at risk for the sake of a few quid but I suspect that this would not be a situation where straight logic would always rule, particularly as if I'd been there than so would my wife and "little" boy. Whilst the boy can probably handle himself (although, like me, he's untried in the real world of violent confrontation) I would be reluctant to initiate a situation where, because of my actions, he'd be put at risk (I don't believe as a parent that that concern ever goes away). On the other hand if I ever perceived a real (or potential) threat to either of them then I suspect I'd be in there with everything I'd got (I have thought about this many time over the years and would have no qualms or conscience to contend with if my family were threatened, I'm just not that way inclined).
As I say the situation didn't arise and there aren't any right or wrong answers so I'm just putting out there as a topic for discussion and some thoughts.
I run a Saturday morning dojo in a small village teaching "kids" karate to a group of 6-11 year olds and a couple of mothers. There is a general store come coffee shop in the village which I visit after training (as I feel I deserve a cup of coffee and a slice of cake after that ).
Walked in there last Saturday to be greeted with "We could have done with you here on Tuesday". Turns out they were raided by two masked men armed with hammers who took the contents of the till (a very small amount of cash as everyone in the village pays on account). My first reaction (and comment) was that even if I had been there I doubt that I'd have put myself at risk for the sake of some cash (not sure that's what they were expecting) but the truth is I have no idea how I would have reacted.
Logically I wouldn't put my self at risk for the sake of a few quid but I suspect that this would not be a situation where straight logic would always rule, particularly as if I'd been there than so would my wife and "little" boy. Whilst the boy can probably handle himself (although, like me, he's untried in the real world of violent confrontation) I would be reluctant to initiate a situation where, because of my actions, he'd be put at risk (I don't believe as a parent that that concern ever goes away). On the other hand if I ever perceived a real (or potential) threat to either of them then I suspect I'd be in there with everything I'd got (I have thought about this many time over the years and would have no qualms or conscience to contend with if my family were threatened, I'm just not that way inclined).
As I say the situation didn't arise and there aren't any right or wrong answers so I'm just putting out there as a topic for discussion and some thoughts.