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AIBU?

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Original poster

Just got shouted at in a coffee shop for coughing in public 🥴

894 replies

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:47

I know I’m not being unreasonable here but I just need some reassurance! I was in a coffee shop after popping to the shops and got a tickle in my throat. I’ve had a cold all week but nothing too severe. I coughed and next thing I know an old man is shouting at me that I’m being selfish and should be self isolating at home, and “don’t I know the NHS is on its knees?!”

AIBU to think this is a total overreaction to a cough?!

OP posts:
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honeyrider · 20/12/2025 17:45

I had a cold back in the first week of November and I'm still coughing. Doctor said I'm not contagious and that I have rhinitis. This usually lasts for months with me.

Sometimes my coughing is due to GORD and takes ages to improve.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:44

muggart · 20/12/2025 17:43

if you have a contagious illness then try not to knowingly spread it to people unless you absolutely have to, or spread it but own the fact that you’re being selfish so don’t try to also claim to be doing society a favour.

if you’re not contagious then you can’t spread it so your fine. it’s not complicated.

why did you say youve had a cold all week if you didn’t want people to think you have a cold? why, when someone said you sound like you’re still harbouring a cold, did you push back because you don’t want to be cooped up at home, rather than push back by saying you don’t actually have a cold?

Your story has changed because you are bizarrely invested in not being seen as doing a bad thing.

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Because I’ve not done a bad thing 😂

OP posts:
muggart · 20/12/2025 17:43

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:31

Ironic, because you have berated me for purposefully spreading germs, so which is it?

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if you have a contagious illness then try not to knowingly spread it to people unless you absolutely have to, or spread it but own the fact that you’re being selfish so don’t try to also claim to be doing society a favour.

if you’re not contagious then you can’t spread it so your fine. it’s not complicated.

why did you say youve had a cold all week if you didn’t want people to think you have a cold? why, when someone said you sound like you’re still harbouring a cold, did you push back because you don’t want to be cooped up at home, rather than push back by saying you don’t actually have a cold?

Your story has changed because you are bizarrely invested in not being seen as doing a bad thing.

Megifer · 20/12/2025 17:43

This thread is amazing 😂😂😂

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:42

ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:41

Who gives a fuck. Sit on the roof.

You seem lovely.

I guess this is why so many on here loved Covid. It meant they had an excuse to sit in bed for months on end with no repercussions.

it may horrify some people on here but tomorrow I’ll be heading for a long, long walk. And maybe get a coffee on the way home!

OP posts:
Stephy1886 · 20/12/2025 17:42

Folk on hair triggers about the super flu

Slowdownyouredoingfine · 20/12/2025 17:42

YANBU, but if he was old he is probably anxious especially thanks to the Covid bullshittery.

ColourThief · 20/12/2025 17:42

UneAnneeSansLumiere · 20/12/2025 15:55

The world doesn't revolve around people with health anxiety.

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The world doesn’t revolve around people with bugs/colds/viruses who fancy a coffee either.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 20/12/2025 17:42

He was rude. I see a lot of really sick children in the shops and school, running eyes, nose, coughing and spluttering without cover their mouth. It infuriates me because DS is immune compromised. I wouldn't say anything but do think they're selfish parents.

ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:41

Who gives a fuck. Sit on the roof.

Sesma · 20/12/2025 17:41

Good lord

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:41

ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:40

Open a window!

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Yes, that’s totally the same!

OP posts:
ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:40

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:39

You’d be fine not leaving the house for a week? No fresh air?

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Open a window!

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:40

This reply has been deleted

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I do not actively have a cold; Einstein.

OP posts:
100Roses · 20/12/2025 17:40

My asthma shows up as a cough throughout winter, it’s not contagious nor is it anything I would need to stay home for. There are lots of reasons that people cough, although anyone out knowing they’re still feeling less than 95% is unfair to be spreading it around- it’s not fair to others but especially those (like myself who are more susceptible at this time of year)but I would never shout at someone for it as not really my business.

SheinIsShite · 20/12/2025 17:40

Typhoid Mary and undertakers?

Fuck me, there are some very unhinged people on this thread. Even though the OP has detailed her medical issues and shared that a consultant who has been to med school and is a proper doctor with access to OP's medical history, has said she is not contagious. But oh no, MNetter with no information and a lack of reading comprehension ability knows better.

@wildgreyocean if you're anywhere near Glasgow let's meet up and go for a coffee. I don't care if you cough on/at/near me.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:40

Lostsoultrip · 20/12/2025 17:39

You could try a walk or an outside table at a cafe though.

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Or I could go about as normal because I’ve had a minor cold which has now gone!

OP posts:
ChattyCatty25 · 20/12/2025 17:40

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:39

ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:39

Yes, it is funny the way flu and shit travels because of people who may have blown their brains through their nose when sniffling and snottering and now don't have the wit to realise that they are spreading their shit about.

I would have said something to you because you don't have the wit or decency to say it to yourself.

Again. I don’t have the flu. I have post nasal drip.

OP posts:
Lostsoultrip · 20/12/2025 17:39

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:37

If I had stayed inside since last Saturday I absolutely would go insane.

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You could try a walk or an outside table at a cafe though.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:39

Calliopespa · 20/12/2025 17:38

Well that's a you-problem. It ought to be possible to find enough to stimulate yourself for that sort of length of time.

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You’d be fine not leaving the house for a week? No fresh air?

OP posts:
ThomasinaHardy · 20/12/2025 17:39

Yes, it is funny the way flu and shit travels because of people who may have blown their brains through their nose when sniffling and snottering and now don't have the wit to realise that they are spreading their shit about.

I would have said something to you because you don't have the wit or decency to say it to yourself.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:39

ChattyCatty25 · 20/12/2025 17:37

There’s a difference between hysterical COVID propaganda, and recklessly spreading viruses because you won’t take the slightest effort to be hygienic.

I rarely get ill, but when I do I wear a mask, and wash my hands whenever I’ve touched my face. It’s not hard and it’s selfish not to.

It’s nothing like forcing people to take experimental vaccines, or quarantine themselves for weeks.

Who said I don’t wash my hands?

I coughed into my elbow (thus with a covered face) because I have post nasal drip.

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 20/12/2025 17:38

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:37

If I had stayed inside since last Saturday I absolutely would go insane.

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Well that's a you-problem. It ought to be possible to find enough to stimulate yourself for that sort of length of time.

Megifer · 20/12/2025 17:38

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 17:33

I am coughing (which wasn’t actually part of my original cold), because of post nasal drip. My ENT consultant has confirmed this is due to my sinuses issues and will likely persist for the rest of my life.

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Op if you were contagious youre still fine to go about your normal activities, NHS guidance even says you should only need to stay at home if you feel too ill go go about as normal.