I agree with what Vince above wrote. I studied psychology and diffusion of responsibility is a well-documented social phenomenon.

Having said that, though, I understand how disturbing it is to witness behavior like that. I have to admit that seeing it here in Taipei freaks me out more than when I saw it in NYC (I used to live there and I once witnessed a woman being beat up and choked by her partner while people just walked by).

I guess I’m used to the idea of people in NYC having a “bubble” around them, but people in Taiwan seem so much more open, friendly and eager to help. I’m an American of Taiwanese descent, and that seems to be an aspect of Taiwanese culture that Taiwanese people pride themselves on — warmth and kindness. So when I see people passing by someone in dire need in Taipei — or hear of it — itseems more shocking.
The traffic problem here is really upsetting. I hate going out at rush hour for that reason.

Anyway, I forget where I found your blog, but I’ve been enjoying it!

Catherine

If it makes you feel any better, people not stopping for accidents in Taiwan can probably be attributed to simple group psychology, not some fundamental flaw in the Taiwanese psyche or cultural shortcoming. Diffusion of responsibility and bystander apathy are well-documented psychological phenomena that occur everywhere, not just in Taiwan. If people stop in Canada, it’s probably because other people have already stopped, or simply because there are fewer people on the roads. If Canada were as crowded as Taiwan, I reckon people probably wouldn’t stop for accidents there either. Please check out the following wiki sites, which offer a nice overview (especially the first one):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitty_Genovese

I am telling you this because it used to really bug me too when people didn’t stop, not because I’m trying to be a smartass I would hate for this type of behaviour to lead you to think that Canadians are somehow “better” than Taiwanese!

Good luck in Taiwan, I really like your blog.

Vince