Nanjing’s first responders have once again been called in to deal with a case of bizarre behaviour. Both officers on the ground and the emergency operator were involved in the counselling of a man wishing to take his own life after repeated business failures.
It was just a few days ago that the police emergency line that is 110 in Nanjing received the call. Despite being well used to hearing strange and unusual questions from the general public, this one was different.
“Can you tell me how long would it take for someone to drown if they can’t swim”, asked the caller.
“Where are you”, responded the 110 operator. “No I can’t [tell you]. I will send some officers to your location. [I hope they] will be able to help you.”
With the officers quickly on the scene, they continued the discussion with the unnamed, distraught man. It transpired that he had made many attempts previously to set up his own business.
And it had been a case of failure after failure for the man. But it was this latest effort, to open a BBQ joint, that had pushed him over the edge, bringing about suicide thoughts.
“Only by accumulating experience can you succeed”, one of the attending police officers said to the man.
“But my friends are partnered with me on that BBQ business”, he worried.
“Entrepreneurship will always encounter many difficult setbacks. Don’t take it too hard, ok?”, said another officer.
During their counselling, the police were prepared to try every angle they could, some quite oblique, in order to dissuade the man from taking his own life, reports The Paper.
“Maybe it’s the location”, suggested the officer. “Or the taste.”
Ultimately soothed by the officers’ counselling, the man finally gave up his idea of suicide, promising to return to his family the next day.
