Why is it that whenever another person on the street and I almost bump into each other, or actually do collide (yes, it happens), I'm always the only one who says, "Excuse me"? Can someone please explain that to me? I'd really appreciate it, because I've just about had it with people's lack of even the most common of courtesies.
About 15 minutes ago, as I rounded the final corner (what is this, a horse race?) on my walk home from the gym, a UPS deliveryman rounded it in the opposite direction. "Oooh! Excuse me," I said, even adding a bonus tiny smile. He said nothing. Didn't even blink an eye. No acknowledgment whatsofuckingever.
In addition, there have been so/too many occasions where I've held the door open for other people -- sometimes an entire fucking parade, it seems -- as they've passed through it in the opposite direction, and not one of them has thanked me. What, am I their personal butler/doorman/doormat? You'd better believe that as each successive jackass passes by me, I offer him or her either a heartfelt "Excuse you" or "You're so welcome". Still, rarely has someone acknowledged that I even said something.
I am not invisible. I may be a mere slip of a girl, but the last time I looked, I was still visible to the naked or not-so-naked eye. When I peer into a mirror, there is indeed a reflection -- contrary to what some people may have said about my being a "vampire" (given my aversion to sunlight and daytime and the fact that I have a black cape permanently affixed to my shoulders). But when people don't make the extraordinary effort to acknowledge that they are not the only creatures occupying the planet, I really want to relieve them of some of their blood.
Jodi, I know what you mean. I remember when I was pregnant,and very large with baby. Do you think someone would help hold the door or give up their seat for me? Jodi, it happened so seldom! What is wrong with people? Is society so turned into themselves that they can't see a big Mom-Blob like me coming through the door? I'm trying to teach my kids (especially my boys) common courtesy and respect for elders. Apparently other Moms are not.
Offered by: Rhonda on June 8, 2002 11:36 AMYes, the same things irrritate me. All day long at work, when I pass other people in the hallway I say, "Hello". It bugs the shit out of me if they can't even nod or show some other sign of human acknowledgement. Anymore, I've found that the more aggressively I say it, the harder it is for them to ignore, so my "Hello!" (note the exclamation point now) has become much more vigorous, to the point of frightening, I'm sure. Haha~ I don't care, I'm damn friendly. Shoot me.
Offered by: Tess on June 8, 2002 11:47 AMYeah, that really irks the shit out of me AND I firmly believe that it requires more energy to be a rude asshole than it does to simply be pleasant. I could rant on rude people all day long. This is good, though. If you ever crash into a woman with short hair on the street who says "excuse me," you'll know it's quite likely Tess or I. ;)
Offered by: Kelly on June 8, 2002 12:37 PMMaybe, while you are holding the door open, you could have one of your legs get into a sort of spasm and suddenly MOVE out in front of the people. No one would suspect you of tripping people while you were holding the door open, would they? That's like hanging up while you are the one talking on the phone!
Just an idea...
Offered by: Desert Mermaid on June 8, 2002 03:11 PMI used to lurve it when I had the double baby buggy to push around - those oh so ignorant people who wouldn't move aside for me - used to get a wheel in the ankle.
Oh excuse me - did I bump your ankle?
well move out my effing way then!
btw
hi rhonda *waving*
and is that Tess from the *Dogstar* list?
the one I can never get a post through to :(
When someone is approaching me from the opposite direction, and has all the room in the world to move aside and I don't, and that person makes no concession for my existence on the sidewalk, I just so happen to have a nagging itch on the nape of my neck that necessitates my jutting out my elbow parallel to the ground at the precise moment he reaches my side. Amazing coincidence.
Offered by: Jodi on June 9, 2002 12:13 AM"the precise moment HE reaches my side" ?!?!
Now I may be just a guy, and I may actually be...(*goes and checks*) the only guy posting here (depending on what "Zel" is short for) but I can say that men are not the only rude people on this planet. I am a door-holder, a stand-up-if-someone-wants-to-sitter, a "sorry!"-if-I-bump-into-you'er, and I have to say that I get more thanks from men than from women. FAR more. Granted, I'm only holding the door for the women so that I can check them out, but come ON! (I'm kidding about that last part, obviously.)
Offered by: aaron on June 10, 2002 04:38 PMaaron: Oh, I'm the first to admit that chicks can be the biggest dicks. I only used "he" because I hate that "he or she" and "s/he" garbage. By "he", I meant all mankind (and no, I refuse to say "womankind").
No need to apologize for your last remark. Half the things I do on a given day are done solely for the purpose of checking out the ladies.
(By the way, Zel is a girl. "Mad Hatter" is a guy, so you're not alone. My gender is up for debate.)
Offered by: Jodi on June 10, 2002 05:02 PMI know exactly what you mean and I have two more pet peeves that are similar to what you're talking about.
1. When I hold the door for ONE person who needs someone to hold the door for them because they're loaded down with packages or they're elderly and several more people rush through behind that person like it's suddenly my job to hold the door for EVERYONE.
2. When I'm in a crowded mall I'm the only person who ever moves aside. It's true. I've tested it by walking straight ahead when people are coming toward me and nobody ever moves aside. They just keep on coming until we crash into each other then they act embarrassed and apologetic as if they hadn't seen me.
People!
