Life in Bangkok has a way of shattering many of the preconceptions that foreigners have; that’s a given. One that’s most often seen is how loosey-goosey some standard guidelines of day-to-day existence can be over here when compared to back home – simple things like how close you can comfortably get to moving traffic, the cleanliness of restaurants, or where children are allowed to play. After a while here, the elasticity with which these rules are enforced become second nature, but every so often I get a reminder of how anally-retentive and just plain stupid we in the west can be. Like the following true story of this woman who put a bit too much faith in technology.

Now, I don’t want to completely write this woman off – maybe she’s very nice, a good mother, really hot, whatever – but her story is part of what’s wrong with my over-regulated society back home and the lack of accountability it breeds. Apparently, this woman had gotten walking directions from Google Maps on how to get from where she was to, uh, somewhere else. The route told her to take a major highway without sidewalks – which she did without question – and was then promptly hit by a car. After that, she did the only thing you could do in this situation – sue Google.

"But my phone said to walk straight!"

“But my phone said to walk straight!”

I will avoid going into a rant about how western culture has too many rules that over-coddle adults and leads to a zombified existence. But it’s refreshing in Bangkok seeing just how much people take their fate into their own hands.

If Lucy is crossing the road here and gets hit by a car, it will likely be the Lucy’s fault for not taking the overpass. If Young Bob is running around without shoes and steps on a nail, the mother will scold him for being stupid. If Robbie is playing with a firecracker and blows his finger off, he learns to eat with his other hand. Yes, that food stall cooking your dinner may be a bit grungy and dirty, but it’s not necessary for the chef to boil every implement in hot water before every meal. In most western countries, Lucy would sue the driver, Young Bob’s mother would sue the carpenter, Robbie would sue the firecracker manufacturer, and an unsatisfied diner would sue the chef.

In the US: lawsuit. In Thailand: Darwin filter.

In the US: lawsuit. In Thailand: Darwin filter.

I was talking to a friend last night who told me about the time he stepped on a sewer grate here, which promptly collapsed, falling into the mucky water below. He barely saved himself with his elbows out, but scratched up his back pretty bad. “I wish I had done that in the US,” he told me. “I could have retired.” Granted, this wasn’t his fault, but he said that you can bet he’s going to be pretty careful from now on when it comes to stepping on sewer grates.

Of course, this isn’t to say that every accident is the victim’s fault. Much like my friend above, I’ve known many people who have been hurt because of the sheer negligance of others and through no fault of their own. But in my view, taking responsibility for your own safety is a far sight better than getting hurt doing stupid things and then pointing the finger at someone – anyone – but yourself.