Being friends means we can afford to be informal and, more often than not, to get on one another’s nerves just for the fun of it.
However, everything has a limit. There are boundaries to things we can and cannot joke about, even to the closest of friends.
One man in Đà Nẵng seems to have crossed one such boundary. His jokes and teases angered his friend so much that, despite strict Covid-19 travel restrictions in the city, the other man came all the way to his house to beat him up.
Here’s what happened.
The assailant
Image credit: Thanh Niên
With Đà Nẵng is currently under strict Covid-19 social distancing rules, citizens are required to stay in their houses at all time, and even trips to grocery stores are prohibited. That, however, hasn’t stopped a bizarre case where a local man came all the way to another’s house to beat him up.
The incident happened on the late evening of 18th August. N.T.L., a 33-year-old man, was hospitalized with a broken nose and multiple other injuries after being assaulted in his own house, Thanh Niên reported Friday.
The assailant was 35-year-old N.Đ.N, one of L.’s friends. And it would seem their quarrels stemmed from a joke taken too far.
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Image credit: Dan Burton
As it turned out, N.Đ.N. had come into contact with a suspected Covid-19 patient before. Learning of this, L. repeatedly teased him on social media, jinxing that he’d get infected himself.
Perhaps L. thought his jokes lighthearted and harmless. Or perhaps he thought there was no way N. could get back at him with all the Covid-19 checkpoints and barricades set up throughout the city to make sure everyone stays put.
Security checkpoints are set up at every Đà Nẵng street and alley to make sure everyone stays put
Image credit: Pháp Luật Online
Whatever L.’s reasoning was, he underestimated the gravity of his jokes. Apparently, his words angered N. so much that the man ignored social distancing rules and came all the way to his friend’s house to settle the score.
It is unclear how N. managed to get past the checkpoints. Maybe he climbed over unguarded barricades, in which case, we have to admit he was quite determined.
But of course, that doesn’t justify his actions, and now the man will have to face legal consequences. He’s been given a fine for breaking Covid-19 social distancing rules. As for his assault charges, the consequences will depend on how much damage the victim suffered.
While we certainly don’t agree with N.’s violent way to settle this argument, we do believe L. is also at fault here. Covid-19 is a very serious topic, and we should never wish that someone would contract the disease, even as a joke.
Let their case be a lesson for us all to respect our friends’ feelings and boundaries, no matter how close we are.
For more stories, check out:
Cover image adapted from Thanh Niên and Dan Burton, right panel for illustrative purposes only
Now that Tết is over, Saigon is now a bustling hub of activity once again.…
If you're in Hanoi this Tết, here are some activities you can look into to…
Vietnamese Calendars for 2023 - made with love by local craftsmen Now that the new…
Mầm coffee tea beer is a perfect getaway for those who are tired of the…
With a chic decor featuring wooden floors, raw brick walls, and European-style furniture, Ante Cafe…
Saigon features some of the best of what Vietnam has to offer. If you're at…