Are there any circumstances under which it is acceptable to stick your nose into someone else's business?

When you see someone doing something so appalling or harmful, perhaps you have an impulse to tell them what you think they should do. The consequences of doing so depend on your relationship with the person. A stranger on the street is quite different from your sister and different again from a coworker.

I suppose we all have provided unsolicited advice from time to time. However, sometimes we see someone doing something harmful to themselves or others, and before we know what’s happening, we are telling them what to do.

Generally this is inappropriate. Most people don’t like unsolicited advice. In addition, it’s stupid, since not only to most people not listen to unsolicited advice; they do the opposite thing out of spite to show they don’t think you know all that you think you know.

When would you get involved in someone else’s business? If someone was messing up? Getting hurt? If a child was involved? If money were involved? How far would you go, once you’d gotten involved?