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AIBU

Why won't people MOVE out of other people's way?

(121 Posts)
Beswitched Mon 30-Mar-20 12:50:44

I've heard of so many people who have given up going out for their daily walk here in Ireland because they spend the entire time hopping off the pavement and out onto the road to get out of the way of people who seem to want to hog the entire pavement.
Family groups are the worst. It never seems to occur to them to bunch up or go in single file when they meet on comers. They just barge on and expect everyone to work around them.
Surely people should be aware of others and stop giving people a choice of brushing up against them, or stepping out into the road.

I know the chances of catching covid 19 like this are small, but at the moment advice is to observe the 2 mtr rule and people are not comfortable with others coming too close.

Elegran Mon 30-Mar-20 17:46:06

Thinking about doing it isn't banned, though.

Calendargirl Mon 30-Mar-20 18:36:32

In our local butchers the other day, just me in the little shop. A man came in, I thought he would have remained outside until called in. But no, and he came quite near me looking at the cold meats in the fridge area. I quickly moved further to the raw meat section and said, “Do you mind, we’re supposed to keep 2 metres apart! The butcher quickly agreed with me, but the chap looked oblivious, and kept studying the meat.
Idiot!

Beswitched Mon 30-Mar-20 20:41:48

But that's the point Monica. Why should families have to be asked to give others space, any more than a single man should. They are being equally inconsiderate.

CherryCezzy Mon 30-Mar-20 23:09:05

As others have already highlighted we have all encountered, at the best of times, the path, pavement and shopping aisle hoggers and the abrupt stoppers who stand and chat or text oblivious (or inconsiderate) of others who need to get past. What I don't get is why people are still doing it because they are not exactly helping themselves stay safe either.
Today when coming out of a store a women was a little ahead of us (me & partner). Another woman she obviously knew spotted her, walked up to her and she stopped. The two stood close together and chatted meaning we (and then a couple of others) too had to stop. We had nowhere to go as the store had erected temporary barriers to create a safe route leaving the store. Despite requests to please move they only did so when they were ready. No other people could be let in or out of the store. These women then went their separate ways to their own cars. One of the women looked back at us with contempt. Young women? No, going by my own age I'd say both were in their mid to late 60s. Unbelievable!!

M0nica Tue 31-Mar-20 07:01:54

Beswitched, because children dart around and respond more quickly when a stranger asks them to do something than if a parent does.

LullyDully Tue 31-Mar-20 07:56:46

Round here everyone avoids passers by by either crossing or standing aside. Just be harder in the crowded cities.

CassieJ Tue 31-Mar-20 10:05:26

I must admit everyone round here is really good at the social distancing. When I have been out for a walk and others are around I cross the road to avoid each other or they do it first. Everyone here has so far been really careful

Teetime Tue 31-Mar-20 10:11:38

I share CassieJ experience its all been very civilised here and lots of 'Good Mornings' although some people are reluctant to respond when we smile at them.
I do wish the supermarkets would institute a one-way system though.

Alexa Tue 31-Mar-20 10:12:22

The OP's experience is what happened to me when I went for a walk in the park two days ago.
I am a bent white haired old lady who uses a stick for support when walking.

The grass was quite nice and dry so I did not mind moving on to the long grass so young persons could pass me at a safe distance. I think the problem is many people don't think of courtesy as use of the imagination and being aware of others' needs. For many people courtesy is simplistically obeying rules

sarahcyn Tue 31-Mar-20 10:51:35

Use your voices, people!
Stand your ground and say politely, “two metres please!”

jaylucy Tue 31-Mar-20 10:53:13

Not just now, but always!
At the moment, it's not really a problem. When I go for my daily walk, if I do happen to meet anyone, they either move right over on the path, turning away or cross the road.
Funnily enough, with footpaths and the main road, there is a one way system for walking around the village that seems to have developed over the last few days so that you can do a circuit!

Annitona Tue 31-Mar-20 10:54:16

I was saying to my daughter when walking outside and every now and then stepping into the road to keep distance from other people: " We may not get the virus but more likely run over by a car!"

CherryCezzy Tue 31-Mar-20 10:54:16

Teetime it was a one-way system adopted by the store yesterday where we were 'stuck' (and others behind and the people waiting to go in the entry route) because of the action of the two women. Where they just stopped was a blind spot for the security men so they didn't see it to react to it. Other people seemed to be considerate and we're obeying social distancing, they on the other hand made it impossible for others to go about their business.

daughterofbonniebelle Tue 31-Mar-20 11:01:38

This epidemic has created a new social divide eg medics, nurses, volunteers who do shopping v. joggers who expel droplets all over you without making diversionary moves, blind-walking texters & those who have raided the supermarket shelves.

Lulu16 Tue 31-Mar-20 11:02:32

Just come back from a morning walk.
Have had a few weird looks because I have crossed the road or did a detour to avoid getting too close.
There are two types, those who look at you as if you are weird
and those who are cheery, appreciative and say 'morning'.
Keeping ones distance is surely such a small ask in order to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Mollygo Tue 31-Mar-20 11:02:56

Hurray for folk round here. We try to go out at a fairly empty time, morning or afternoon but this morning at 7:30 if a drone had been overhead it would have looked as if people were doing a dance. One couple or person crossed over to avoid us, so we crossed over to avoid the next person or couple. Weaving backwards and forwards across the road added .2 of a mile to our morning walk without any extra effort. A nice friendly hi or good morning-or still here then or stay safe as we passed safely brightened the day. It must be more difficult in a town, but at least there is less traffic on the road when you’re trying to cross over. Two things that cheered me up this morning- the photo and this.
twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1244874321320906752

NanaPlenty Tue 31-Mar-20 11:05:44

....and if you are shopping in Tescos, pick up what you need, stop faffing around and get out again as soon as you can. A couple shopping together (surely one of them could have waited in the car?) stood trolley side in blocking access to two milk cabinets for ages... take your milk and move on! We all need to be considerate to others.

Craftycat Tue 31-Mar-20 11:06:10

Maybe we are very lazy in Surrey but I have been out for a walk every day & have yet to see anyone else out- with the exception of a jogger 2 days ago. It's like a ghost town. Cars going past but no people walking. Mind you I am not walking near any shops. I see a bus every day but never anyone other then the driver on it.
It's quite surreal.

Camy Tue 31-Mar-20 11:07:43

It was all very civilised on our dawn walks, only ever seeing a couple of dog walkers at a distance or passing the occasional person at a good distance. This morning, however, we were confronted by a young man running at speed towards us in the middle of the pavement. We wrongly assumed he would run onto the green but he just kept running straight at us. Luckily we had already begun to walk onto the grass or I think he would have run into us. We certainly didn’t have time to put a distance of 2 metres between us. If we meet him again, I will be tempted to trip him with my walking stick!

Esspee Tue 31-Mar-20 11:08:05

I was at the supermarket the day after lockdown. I found everyone very curtious, much like drivers on a narrow road holding back and allowing others to pass them then getting a friendly acknowledgement. All terribly civilized.

sarahellenwhitney Tue 31-Mar-20 11:10:14

Elegran. I stop, stand still, and wait.
Ninety nine point nine % are so wrapped up in their own little world they walk around me. As for the others ? I cross that bridge(not literally)grin )when I come to it.

Aepgirl Tue 31-Mar-20 11:11:20

Walking on the road, with care. It’s easy at the moment with so little traffic.

MadeInYorkshire Tue 31-Mar-20 11:19:17

Ha, ha, as I have spent 20 days in hospital recently. I now have a surgical mask that I wear when out - I am well aware it is not much use, but it certainly keeps people way from you! Lol ....

Petalpop Tue 31-Mar-20 11:20:28

I was out for my morning hike when a woman on a bicycle was coming along the middle of the path towards me. I kept on thinking she will go into the road in a minute - no traffic so why use the pavement. I had to walk in the road and I really let her have it. I told her you should be in the road not me, path for walkers road for cyclists. I must have been shouting at the top of my voice because I always have music blaring in my ears to keep up my momentum whilst walking. By the look on her face she was dumfounded. In my opinion some people are just plain thick.

Gwenisgreat1 Tue 31-Mar-20 11:26:13

Well before this all started, I was walking along a crowded pavement in York. I noticed a bloke who appeared a bit pretentious and decided to keep out of his way - I was too late, he barged me onto the cobbled road where i shattered my femur and spent 2 weeks in hospital and still have joint problems over 2 years later!!