People who don't move out the way on the pavement

Second this!
I don't go out much but every time I do go out I notice this. A lot of people are just so rude these days and don't give a shit about anyone else.
Im starting to think I'm invisible.

Someone walked straight into me the other day at quite a pace - literally whacked me with their shoulder. It was a busy road and I was quite cornered in/ couldn't step backwards or out of the way without going into the road. They didn't slow down, it was like they didn't even see me and just expected me to somehow move (which would have involved stepping onto a busy road).

They were either extremely entitled or extremely inattentive. I think our attention is getting worse and worse even when not on our phones.

"My dad is newly blind and walks with a stick. He also has Alzheimer’s. (Outing details so if you know me, hi!) The amounts of people, older boomers, students, anyone regardless of age - who walk straight in front of him/towards him is crazy. My mum actually finds it very upsetting how heartless and unaware people can be."

For reasons only known to everyone else, I'm more likely to get walked into if I use my mobility cane. I can depending on the weather, get around just without it.

when pushing adult DD in her wheelchair it is astonishing how many people just walk straight at us, clearly expecting us to just dissipate.

an adult in a wheelchair is heavy to push. You can’t just jink out of the way. We are considering buying one of those bulb horns you see on vintage cars!

I just stop walking and stand still so they have to go around me.

if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, why not stop and start rummaging in your handbag/looking at your phone etc?

The first time I noticed this was 2 burly men in a shopping centre walking side by side. I had to literally jump side ways or they'd have walked straight into me

Yes definitely, and on the roads too. Also in the supermarket, standing in front of things rather than standing back slightly so everyone can see the shelf.

Part of its awareness. Part seems to be just plain rudeness, people don’t tend to say thank you if you stand aside or hold a door for them, or take the door, they just breeze through as if you’re their personal footman.

My dad is newly blind and walks with a stick. He also has Alzheimer’s. (Outing details so if you know me, hi!) The amounts of people, older boomers, students, anyone regardless of age - who walk straight in front of him/towards him is crazy. My mum actually finds it very upsetting how heartless and unaware people can be. Not everyone of course, most people are considerate and some are even kind, but there are enough who aren’t to make going out a scary thing for them.

Try being in a wheelchair. Bloke suddenly starts walking backwards in front of me and ends up on top of me.

The other option is to just stop and stand still. I’ve noticed people trying to this to me when I’m walking with my 3 year old and I’ve already send the 7 year old in front but they want to continue to walk x number stride and expect me to walk on the road with a 3 year old.

On a side note 50 isn’t old. I teach my children to be extra considerate around the elderly and disabled in terms of giving them more space but not a 50 year old.

I was quite annoyed the other day. I was walking along quite a wide pavement, enough for 3-4 people to walk abreast easily. It's relatively empty, not many people, no hazards like lampposts or billboards.

I hear a bell ring behind me so I move over so I'm brushing against the hedge. But the bell still goes. I look behind and there's a lady on a mobility scooter following me and ringing her bell. There is plenty of room to my side as I'm walking right against the hedge so I wave her to go around, but she doesn't and she keeps ringing the bell. I keep walking assuming she will go round (there really was loads of room) but she started shouting at me so I stopped and pressed myself into the hedge a bit more and told her there was lots of room for her to pass. She wanted me to cross the pavement and step into the road! I told her no, and she did then zip past me finally, shouting the odds about no respect for the disabled and how rude I was....

It was the most bizarre thing I've ever come across. She lives locally as I've seen her before so I just hope I'm never unlucky enough to be walking in front of her again!

🤣

I'm old and in pain. Moving to one side causes me more pain. I'm not moving for anyone unless they've got small kids or a pushchair.

It has definitely gotten worse recently. Since covid people seem more aggressive on the roads too.

I was brought up to make way for other people whenever possible and have had to try and unlearn it in some situations because it's taken as a sign of submissiveness by some.
Sometimes it's a cultural thing, sometimes it's just ignorance. Few people teach their kids respect: it's all about making sure nobody is 'dissing' their kids.

It was shocking to see people bumping into my mum a couple if years ago while she walked painfully with a stick. This was in the very posh Cotswold town she'd always lived in.

I always make way for older and very young people as a matter of course and do what I can so they feel respected and safe in public spaces. It's about empathy for me.

Very narrow pavements in our town. I use a stick now and will move to the side for one person, or a mum with a toddler and pushchair and they usually smile. But I will not move for three abreast and just keep to the wall side and continue. What I will NOT do is step into the road.
And people stand and have conversations in the middle of the pavement so you can't pass them. A loud, polite and firm, "Excuse me!" usually works. If they look friendly, I tell them I'd wallop them with my stick if they hadn't moved. Laughter.

I'm mid-50s now, and feel people should be stepping aside for me Whoa. Your attitude is pretty gutter worthy to be fair!

I nearly had to walk into a wall because a couple couldn't let go of each other and wouldn't go single file.

It’s the worst when you get groups of 3+ people (who in my experience tend to be students or elderly ladies) who crab walk alongside each other blocking the whole pavement.

I just move over as much as I can then walk tall. As others have said, if we collide we collide. I’ve done my bit by moving over, if they crash into me by being a wanker, so be it.

Hand holding couples are the worst, terrified their relationship will spontaneously end if they momentarily let go of each other to allow you through. I refuse to go into the road anymore. I used to all the time in covid especially when I was out for a run. No more!

@Coaltitmum generally they'll go single file when they realise you're not moving. Sometimes they won't and you just have to brace for impact

Everyone could have a reason for needing more space.

That’s why I teach my children to be polite and step out the way for anyone. Age doesn’t come into it.

Some older people make have balance or pain issues. You should definitely give them more space and teach your children to.

Yes definitely getting worse. And so annoying when four people walking abreast jus carry on and expect people to move into the road to get around them.

I live in the SW and it's a certain type of person who tends to do it here. :/ everyone is lovely and even says hello!

Similar age & it was something DM always taught us to do too & something we have taught DC. Obviously not everyone does teach DC this because I am now the only one moving out of the way when I’m walking anywhere, even couples walking two abreast & I have to step in the road or get bashed. Infuriating.