to think these people were selfish and rude.

[cakeoclock]

The push chair v wheelchair on a bus just reminded me what happened this weekend.

I was christmas shopping with friends (one in a wheelchair) in Harvey Nicks Leeds and it was pretty busy. We stood waiting for the lift, the doors opened and it was rammed full of people (no push chairs). Not one of the miserable gits got out to make space for the wheelchair just looked away until the doors shut and we had to wait ages for another lift. There were escalators less than a minute walk from the lift.

AIBU to think that this is lazy, selfish and awful and to hope if any of you are reading you feel ashamed.

Tigermoll my son always describes himself as "in a wheelchair" too. I'm also no expert too!

Tiger 'wheelchair-user' is best, I have heard people on here say 'in a wheelchair' too. 'wheelchair-bound' is the one that some wheelchair-users find offensive.

Can I give OldLadyKnowsNothing a prize for having the most accurate name on mn, here it is

I understand all about hidden disabilities but what are the odds that all of them did?

You can give me however many biscuits you like, no-one has yet explained why using a wc makes your time more valuable than anyone elses.

oldlady it is not about time it is about the ability to use the escalator that OP has said was less than a minute walk away

YABU - why shouldn't a wheelchair user wait for a lift if all the lifts are full? A non wheelchair user would have to wait if there was no room in the lift also

It doesn't make it less valuable though either OldLady.

So, a person in a lift can choose to use the stairs or escalators which won't take them any longer than the lift. The person in the wheelchair can't make this choice. Therefore by chosing to use the lift instead of walking or taking the escalators, in this situation the wheelchair user has to wait longer for a lift space. So in essence, you're saying their time is less valuable because it's OK for them to wait?

Oh dear oh dear.

This topic kicked off all but a month a go when a mum with a pushchair suggested that people were being selfish.

On that occassion she was roundly turned on: what about all those people with invisible disabilities/fear if escalators, how dare you be so presumptious etc etc.

Will be interesting to see where this one goes.

FWIW in principle YANBU but the reality is people often just don't think (but I also think people that don't get out of lifts for buggies are Unreasonable so there you go!).

I agree with old lady, why should one person get out of the lift in palce of another? There were lots of people there, all very busy, what was wrong with waiting your turn?

YABU

You expect someone who is already in the lift to get out simply because you did nt want to wait?

Is your time so valuable then?

Nofrikkincarbs no they wouldn't have to wait they could go to the escalator!

a lot of people who need to use wheelchairs will have life limiting conditions. Their life is more valuable if they will have a lot less of it than you.

*Their time is more valuable. Although......

Why should they get out? Because the other person has more need and no other option. Just like we stand up for pregnant people on trains and buses, it's common courtesy imo

I really can't believe that anyone thinks it's acceptable to take up a space in a lift when a wheelchair user needs it - especially with an escalator so close. OP YANBU of course.

I would allow a wc user into a lift before me, and happily wait. I would not get out of a lift I was already in.

You don't know how long those people had already waited, or if they were in a hurry to get back to work/pick up a child from a childminder or nursery/attend another appointment/find a loo/get back to the car before their parking time ran out etc etc etc.

ffs they can use the escalator Oldlady and it would probably be quicker!

That's the other thing actually - unless you have a phobia or something, who on earth would choose to use a lift when there are escalators available? Surely the escalator is quicker and more comfortable?

My time's not more valuable, it's as valuable. Why do I waste it waiting for a lift? Because other people can't be arsed to use stairs or escalators. Which can be tricky in a wheelchair. And does everyone else split up from their friend/partner to use stairs while out? That is also bloody aggravating, to be sent round some circuitous route, not the 'normal' route. Accessible buildings make their regular entrances/exits wheelchair friendly, not a special case for the crips.

"Because the other person has more need and no other option"

people with pushchairs.
People like my fil who is waiting for a knee replacement.

anyway, lifts are for everyone and people in wheelchairs are as capable of waiting as any other person.

Are there escalators or stairs to all the other floors or do people have no choice but to use the lift?

I only ask because in our shopping centre the top floor amenities and three levels of the car park are only accessible through certain lifts, no stairs or escalators are available for anyone. I think there is a fire door with a staircase for emergency use only but not for general use.

Apparently Debenhams pay a rental premium to be the only store in the centre with direct access to the car park via a lift, so anyone who parks on the upper floors has no choice but to use the lift and then go through their shop to gain access to the rest of the shopping centre.

"This topic kicked off all but a month a go when a mum with a pushchair suggested that people were being selfish"

the mum with the pushchair wasn't, IIRC, saying that people should get out of a lift to let her in.

The OP in this thread is being silly to expect people to get out mid-journey. Yes it would be nice if they did but they shouldn't feel like they have to.