AIBU when out with my pushchair

[NotForSale]

To want to ram it into the ankles of anyone in front of me who walks really slow/ stops/ or cuts across me?

All those people with prams getting frustrated with slow walkers in front of you. Where were you actually in a rush to?

Usually towards the bus-stop, train station, nursery or just trying to get from shop to shop at a reasonable speed, before toddler wakes from his nap. It's not 'slow walkers' who frustrate me- everyone is entitled to go at their own pace. It's people who drift slowly down the middle of the street/precinct completely oblivious they are blocking others. It's good manners to be aware of others around you, step aside to faster people pass, keep to one side rather than obstruct others. When I walk with toddler on reins I'm aware we're very slow and dithery (she likes to stop randomly to look at things) so I'm careful not to block the street or trip people up.

Oh do get over yourself. Your toddler's nap is not the most important thing. The way you describe your terribly important journey is ridiculous. Who are you to decide whether the people "in your way" are slow because they are taking their time - as they have every right to do - or because they are weak and frail for some reason? You attitude stinks.

Your attitude...

You're obviously a special snowflake so of course its perfectly fine to ram your pram into the ankles of the people in front. Just so long as you don't mind me sideswiping your pram with my waking frame, thereby propelling your precious offspring into the road in the path of oncoming traffic

waking = walking

All those people with prams getting frustrated with slow walkers in front of you. Where were you actually in a rush to?

Usually towards the bus-stop, train station, nursery or just trying to get from shop to shop at a reasonable speed, before toddler wakes from his nap. It's not 'slow walkers' who frustrate me- everyone is entitled to go at their own pace. It's people who drift slowly down the middle of the street/precinct completely oblivious they are blocking others. It's good manners to be aware of others around you, step aside to faster people pass, keep to one side rather than obstruct others. When I walk with toddler on reins I'm aware we're very slow and dithery (she likes to stop randomly to look at things) so I'm careful not to block the street or trip people up.

So, usually nowhere of actual importance then? I was expecting sensible replies like running late for school/work/hospital appointments which of course doesn't make it acceptable but does make it understandable. Some are accidents of course. Others are just examples of people being full of their own self importance. Instead it appears people are just getting pissed off at other humans who don't gave the dexterity to dive in to the nearest shelves to allow you and your buggy to go by.

Oh, and bollocks to it was lighthearted/only joking.

OP: AIBU to want to ram into any human that doesn't clear my path in 60seconds?

MN: Of course you bloody are.

Others: I think OP was only joking/so was I/ I'd never ram anyone, despite a few delightful individuals happily confessing to doing just that.

If you're happy enough to do it then be happy enough to take the consequences when the next poor unsuspecting individual who didnt see you coming, doesn't take it lightly and decides to return the favour by taking the pram you've just rammed their ankles and shoving it up your bloody arse.

So, usually nowhere of actual importance then?

Maybe not to you, but it's important to me to be punctual and use my time efficiently, I can't stand being held up for no good reason. With a pram you can't nip in and out of people easily.

I understand why many walk slowly. I don't have a problem with that. It's when people have no awareness of their surroundings that I feel rage. My bus has pulled in and I'm trying to get to it, but am hampered by a crowd of people spread out across the street, with no clear route to get past. Why can't they all keep to one side of the street, to let others get to their bus stands?
I appreciate people may 'drift' because of disabilities. But many drift because they're texting/smoking/talking/looking at things with no consideration for other pedestrians. I have to call 'excuse me, can we get past?' Over and over, to be met with blank startled looks then a very slow shuffling to one side as they clock in trying to get past.

It's not a crime to be in a hurry or need to get past.

I would never deliberately clip ankles but I've caught a few by accident.

Where are you actually in a rush to?

What? You think having a pram automatically means you have no time constraints or anywhere important to be?

I have weekly Dr appointments, it's a two hour journey, one bus an hour, and I have to take DD to the childminder in time to drop her and run to catch it. If I don't make that bus I miss my appointment. If she needs a wee before we head out, we will be hurrying- and with random people ambling down the middle of the path, that's not easy. I don't mind people walking slowly, that's not the issue and I don't think it is an issue with most PP's, it's when they amble right down the middle of the street. If I am having a more peaceful day we stick to one side so people can rush past if they need to. Surely that's more considerate?

Recently I was at an outdoor event. It was incredibly busy and people were standing like sardines, and as I was in the middle of the crowd, there was no where to move to once the event had finished until the crowd had cleared a bit. I was just as keen as anyone to move but sadly it was physically impossible.

Some absolute bint behind me with a double pushchair repeatedly rammed it into my ankles despite the fact that no one could bloody move. It hurt.

It's a pram, not a fucking battering ram. I'm astounded that these women would risk people falling into their pram and harming or at least scaring their children.

And just to clarify, I would never deliberately bump someone with the pram. But it happens... people stop suddenly, step in front of you, change direction with no warning.

Are my expectations of other pedestrians really so unreasonable? Isn't it good manners to be aware of other pavement-users, look before you change direction, avoid chatting/texting in shop doorways, keep to one side of a busy street to allow others to pass, walk in single file in busy areas rather than 3-abreast?

I was a wheelchair user for a while, (broken leg).
I've had: people jumping over my extended, plastered leg, stepping back into me as I waited in a queue in the bank, cutting in front of me as I waited in a supermarket queue, dashing to get in front of me to use the only accessible toilet in a shop. The bloke didn't think my need was greater than his, he was in a rush you see. The fact that I couldn't get the wheelchair through the door of the regular loo, and needed to use the hand rails for support escaped him.
I was only half joking when I said I was going to weld 8" kitchen knives to the wheels Ben Hur chariot style.

sabzii

And just to clarify, I would never deliberately bump someone with the pram. But it happens... people stop suddenly, step in front of you, change direction with no warning.

Are my expectations of other pedestrians really so unreasonable? Isn't it good manners to be aware of other pavement-users, look before you change direction, avoid chatting/texting in shop doorways, keep to one side of a busy street to allow others to pass, walk in single file in busy areas rather than 3-abreast?

People pushing big prams are never guilty of blocking pavements to have an impromptu group chat, of course...

Yes, of course people who do not have prams are guilty of blocking others too BUT they are not holding a biggish piece of machinery which might hurt someone's ankles or legs. That is the point.

YANBU. I have been known to "accidentally" kick people in the ankles if they purposely step right in front of me only to then walk super slowly. It drives me crazy. As a pp said it's the same as cars cutting in front only to gain a couple of seconds and causing you to slow down unnecessarily. Huge bugbear.

Just to make clear, I'm not referring to ppl already walking slowly in front, I mean ppl who deliberately step out right in front of you. Big difference.

likeacrow How do you know if it's deliberate. My dd has an asc, she may well be in her own world, if you kicked her the likelihood is that you'd break something.

Dawndonnaagain if it's a clearly able bodied person barging in front of me, it's pretty bloomin obvious. I think most people can tell the difference.

Likeacrow - it's not always obvious if some isn't able bodied. Most people would see me on a good day and assume I'm fine, but I'm not. I sat in a room of people with similar disabilities and only two used walking aids.

likeacrow

Just to make clear, I'm not referring to ppl already walking slowly in front, I mean ppl who deliberately step out right in front of you. Big difference.

You deliberately kick people in the ankles. Wow. You are impressively immature.

ShastaBeast I would only ever accidentally kick someone's ankles who had obviously and deliberately barged directly in front of me who was obviously able bodied. I'm sure you would never do this so no need to worry.

CaraAspen Why thank you.

I can feel you bristle with indignation. Haha