Agustin Torres | Common courtesy is hard to come by

Tripping on Locust Walk is not too hard.

With many bricks jutting out of the sidewalk and the urge of getting to class on time, the chances that your shoe gets caught up are pretty high (chances that people around laugh - even higher).

But it's one thing to stumble on the Walk, arriving to class annoyed and with a little pain still lingering. It's another, totally different thing, to arrive with a wet and sore ass.

Two weeks ago, my friend - a female College sophomore - arrived in her class, wet, sore ass and all. She completely fell down in one of those steep paths near Williams Hall.

What's worse, nobody helped her. Of the six people who passed by, not one of them stopped to offer help. Guy after guy kept walking, each pretending that nothing had happened.

Perhaps they thought she just likes to sit down on the wet ground to admire the rainy morning! (I mean, who doesn't?)

After this incident and some further observation, I concluded that Penn students (and this includes me) could do with a little work in daily courtesy and etiquette.

Let's start with a simple question, proposed by my friend herself: What would've happened if an extremely hot girl had tripped instead? Guys, think about it. Would you have helped her right away? (I'm guessing yes, especially if she were blond.)

Or, better yet, what if a guy fell? Doubtful he'd get a hand from anyone.

This is because appearance has a strong impact on who we decide to be nice to.

"We're more likely to want to help Glinda the Good Witch of the North than we are to want to help the Wicked Witch of the West," Psychology lecturer Jennifer Ostovich said.

Psychology research suggests that physically attractive people receive many benefits, including favorable treatment in hiring and promotion, and the are perceived as smarter and more socially apt. This is known by some as the "beauty premium."

Human evolution and survival suggests we're more likely to help good-looking people because every encounter with a woman is a potential mating opportunity (and most people want mates who are, well, attractive).

"This view is a little far-fetched," said Psychology professor Ingrid Olson, who has conducted research on facial attractiveness.

Olson also mentioned other factors that influence our decisions to offer help. For instance, if someone trips with only one other person in the vicinity, it's more likely that that person will offer them a hand. But, if there are many people, then there is a "diffusion of responsibility."

When it comes down to it, we're just not being nice enough. After spending a number of hours observing students' etiquette around campus, this became obvious to me.

About half of the people I saw held the door for people behind them. Some just give it a strong push, and some others hold it indifferently without looking back. Very few, however, went so far as to look back while holding the door, with a smile. Apparently, most students could use a lesson in Southern hospitality.

And elevator etiquette is even worse. Absolutely nobody says "hi" or "good morning" when they enter the elevator. Plus, if you want to be nice and you do greet your elevator companions, chances are you won't get a response (unless you consider awkward looks to be responses).

A few take the liberty to hold the elevator for their friends or hold "confidential" conversations in a language other than English, assuming no one else understands. The other day, I discovered that a girl was single and that salsa was her preferred dancing style. (Beware: It's not that unlikely that at least one person in your elevator understands Spanish!)

As students of this prestigious institution, we have busy lives. But, sometimes, we forget about the tiny details of life: When you see a stranger, smile. When you go into the elevator, say "hi." When you see someone carrying heavy bags, offer help.

Granted, we may be naturally predisposed to offer help only to attractive people. But, please, when you see someone sitting in the middle of a wet Locust Walk - girl or guy, hot or not - don't pretend not to notice.

Offer a helping hand. Next time, the one who trips could be you.

Agustin Torres is an Engineering sophomore from Monterrey, Mexico. His e-mail address is torres@dailypennsylvanian.com. The Monday Burrito now appears on Fridays. Strange, we know.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.