The man looked at me as if to say, I wouldn't do that. I wanted to reply, Guess what, I wouldn't ordinarily do this either, but you have no idea why I've made this choice at this moment, you don't walk in my shoes.
We all, at times, see people do things we imagine that we would never do. When that happens we're tempted to speak up, and sometimes we do. Not long ago, when I saw a younger relative make a choice I wouldn't make, I did speak up. In speaking up, I acknowledged where I was coming from and that I might be wrong, but I felt I had to share my viewpoint. I was glad I said that I might be wrong because it turns out that I probably was wrong, and my young relative appeared to make a very good choice with that decision. That was a good lesson to me.
In general, when people choose in ways we think wrong, it doesn't matter that much one way or another. Recently a friend made a decision that seemed crazy to me, but guess what, it didn't really matter as the decision had no serious affect on anyone or anything.
Yet, there are times, when a person's decision making may be potentially dangerous or destructive, and when that happens, I do believe we need to speak up--no one wants to sit back and watch a person unknowingly cause danger and destruction to themselves or others. It is our responsibility to speak up at times like that even when difficult. Many years ago, I remember doing that with a loved one who was making a dangerous and destructive choice. My loved one didn't like my words and was angry, but I do believe my words may have mitigated the situation somewhat--it was critical that I spoke up at that moment, people's lives and happiness depended on that.
There have been times too when people have spoken up to me. At first, often irritated by their commentary, I am typically grateful for their warning and advice later on. Sometimes, however, when people have spoken up, I know they don't understand the underpinnings of the situation, and I simply disregard the words.
So when we see someone do something that we wouldn't do, unless it is a dangerous and destructive act, we're best to leave it be and not comment. That will happen and we should save our words for times when we need to speak up to ensure safety. Onward.