I met a group of gals for lunch today at a local Firehouse subs. As we sat on the outdoor patio, I noticed this man far down the shopping strip coming out of a grocery store. He had on baggy pants, shirt, baggy jacket and scraggly hair. He was only carrying a jug of orange juice.
As we ate, I watched as the man would take a swig of juice, set the jug down on the sidewalk before him, and do this repeated pattern of brushing his pant legs, scratching his knees, and repeatedly brushing the sidewalk with his hands. Then he would pick up the jug and continue walking.
Everyone was staring of course trying to figure out what was going on. I put down my sandwich. I watched as the man got closer, and he actually stopped near out table and did the whole thing over again. Everyone could only stare as he continues ALL the way down the sidewalk continuing to do that while whispering to himself.
Do you think that was OCD? Should someone have called the cops or someone to help him?
2007-03-15 11:17:30 · 4 answers · asked by YinxSphinxmen 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That's a hard one, because he could have any wide range of issues. And this may be his functioning level--may have already been on meds and this is his behavior. As long as he wasn't hurting anyone or himself, I would have left him alone.
2007-03-15 11:22:42 · answer #1 · answered by Tracy S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Was he hurting anyone? Seems to me the man was just enjoying his orange juice.
The only crime was people staring at a man with an obvious psychiatric problem! (Not chargeable of course - call it a moral crime!)
If you have reason to believe this man lives in a state of self-neglect that is dangerous to him, then the authorities might be able to be involved. Looking bummy and drinking OJ funny doesn't qualify.
2007-03-15 18:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by Susie D 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a Buddhist rite of passage. A more common sight in Thailand. They actually have large aprons with huge pockets where people can donate food and drink for the aspiring monks. They are not allowed to bathe for a month, I believe. I have a lot of respect for their dedication.
2007-03-15 18:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOME ONE COULD CALL THE COPS TO SEE IF HE NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH ER TREATMENT
SOUNDS LIKE THE MAN HAS OCD BUT COULD POSSIBLY BE OTHER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER LIKE SCHIZOPHRENIA ..CAUSE PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA DOES HAVE STRANGE LIKE BEHAVIOR
2007-03-15 18:27:24 · answer #4 · answered by Swm 39 4 Younger Swf Forever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋