Ohhh Careful

Imagine you are on a trek or a small hike with a group of people. It’s a rugged uneven terrain where you need to be aware of every step you are taking.

Suddenly the person walking in front of you slips. What is your immediate reaction.

You say “ohhh. Careful”

You might say the same thing in a language that you are comfortable in. “Sambal ke” (Hindi) or “Paathu” (Tamil).

I do it quite often but I have never understood why I do it.

Why did I shout “ooh” or “woah”

Let’s just think about this reaction for a moment.

The person who slipped probably is not making any noise. At best he/she might shout out of pain or reflex. But why did I shout? Did I shout on behalf of the other person? If yes that is unnecessary. Shouting or making noise is not going to help anyone. In fact it is just going to create more commotion.

Ok. Why would I say “careful” when a person slips. What am I really trying to say?

Hypothesis 1: Is it to say “You should have been more careful?”

If yes that’s just being too mean to the person. He/She has not even fully slipped and fallen and before that I want to give feedback. Timely feedback is good. But this is giving almost no time.

Hypothesis 2: Is it to say “be careful” to the person who is slipping?

My gawd. This is even worse. The person has not even fallen fully and I want to advice the person on how to be in the future. I can’t be more rude. Damn!

Hypothesis 3: Is it me telling myself to “be careful” and I just said it aloud?

If I am on a rugged path I probably am only filled with one thought, of being careful. I am not even seeing the trees and mountains around me. I am just looking down and manning the tough ground below me. So I am indeed careful. Why should I tell it to myself again? That too loudly so that everyone can hear?

Hypothesis 4: Is it extreme empathy for the person who is slipping that I am feeling that I am also slipping, and telling myself “I should have been more careful”?

This is probably the most inflated thought I could have. I am not able to empathise with the happiness and sadness of the other person as much. But I am able to empathise the mistake of the other person and provide self advise.

Hypothesis 5: Is it warning others to “be careful”?

This seems legit. But should I not be first helping the person who is about to fall. Then, wait there to guide and tell others what needs to be done like “walk slowly”, “don’t come this way” or “make sure u step on this stone” rather than just shouting “careful”?

I thought long and hard but could not find any other hypotheses. Whatever be the reason, I think saying “ooh” or “careful” is absolutely unnecessary at that moment. But yet, I do it.

Why?