February 7, 1999

Good Samaritan

The story of the Good Samaritan has to be one of stories most perverted by modern society. Usually taken by many as an example for us to do non-greedy good deeds, the original message is that help can come from the most unexpected of places. Still, the modern day view is not bad to have. However, do people want to be the Good Samaritan or his benefactor?

Picture a situation where you are not getting what you want. For instance, you're at a laundromat on a very busy day. You find a washer, begin to load it and find a pair of pants in it. You remove the pants and continue loading, but minutes later someone walks in saying they had claimed that washer by putting just the pants in it. What do you do. . ? Do you unload the washer and give it back?

Let's say you don't. You are viewed as a jackass and the world's biggest jerk. Let's say you do. Yes, there is the slightest chance you might be thanked sincerely and the world will brighten for a bit. There is also the equal chance that you will be laughed at and accused of being a waffler and all. There's also the point to question: would the other person do the same for you? A washer is not much, but people do become quite proprietary over them. The code of the laundromat to some is to defend your machine with your life. Many people live by this and would require a lot to give one up.

The point is that many people prefer to be on the receiving end of the Good Samaritan. All of us do this, including myself and you, and myself, and that guy to your right, and myself and that gal behind you. We have a natural greed to ourselves. Perhaps we should get rid of it, but in total honesty, I might not give up my washer. In fact, the situation described above puts me clearly in favor of the loader and not the pants person. Now, if you think that this laundry sub-plot is purely superfluous, just remember that the Good Samaritan's story is more than just helping injured travelers along the roadside.