Put yourself in their shoes: Bahrain social experiment urges change

Put yourself in their shoes. That's the message a new video filmed in Bahrain is trying to drive home.

In the two-and-a-half minute clip, a young Arab man is seen honking his car outside a grocery store, beckoning the shopkeeper to take his order - a typical scene in much of the Gulf.

"I always think of that poor worker, going back and forth and people don't treat him with respect," we hear the narrator say.

"I've decided to take his place for the day, and take people's orders."

What happens next surprised him.

"People were stunned and surprised once they saw a Bahraini guy coming and taking their orders," he says.

Some became unusually polite, others expressed disbelief and some even "felt embarassed and refused to give their orders."

The video, which has received over 400,000 views on YouTube, urges viewers to put themselves in someone else's shoes, regardless of their position in society.

"We are all human beings that have the right to be respected regardless of nationality and social state and anyone who helps in taking orders, has done a favour to me," says the narrator.

The man behind the social experiment, is Yousif Hassan Al Madani, who shot the video along with a group of friends.

"I saw situations that did not suit us as human beings - that's when I decided to bring a new idea that can be accepted in society," said the 18-year-old media student.

And what has the reaction been like?

"People have reacted much more than I expected. I've seen an instant positive change among the Bahraini youth," he added.

Reaction online has been similar, with many praising the video for its social message.

"Well done @YAlmadani. That's a beautiful heart touching video. We need more like this! I suggest @bahraintv airs it!" tweeted user Mohammed Al-Binateej.

"This is good. Change comes in small steps," remarked one YouTube commenter.

What do you think of the video? Let us know in the comments