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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think people should not comment on how quickly I walk into work.

45 replies

minesagin37 · 12/09/2019 02:30

In the space of two weeks I have had two people who work in the same building as me but whom I don't know comment that I walk into the building slowly. This has never happened to me in my life and I think it's nobody's business how quickly I walk into work. The first was a man who commented that ' I should be bounding into work'. The second commented that she thought 'I was going to stop and did I need a push'. I commented back that I had pulled a hamstring which I have.

OP posts:
Stephminx · 12/09/2019 02:39

I couldn't be bothered getting upset over this...

Stephminx · 12/09/2019 02:40

Although I suppose if someone had a hidden disability it might be offensive... but I think people are just making conversation first thing on a morning without brains fully in gear. I doubt there is an intention to be offensive.

Jozen · 12/09/2019 02:41

I'd say "oh, they don't call me Speedy Gonzales for nothing, you know".
And then carry on walking at a pace comfortable for you.

StoppinBy · 12/09/2019 03:12

You are being a bit sensitive. They are likely just making conversation and haven't actually given what they said another thought. Come up with a funny quip and give it right back then you can start the day with a laugh instead of a grump.

cheesemumma · 12/09/2019 03:14

Jeez Louise if only I had your problems keeping me awake at night. Forget about it and be quick about it

minesagin37 · 12/09/2019 03:20

Sorry should have written- lighthearted post.
Obviously didn't read the small print about subjects that should be discussed!
However I was just thinking what about people with disabilities- do people comment to them that they are walking too slowly?

OP posts:
Runkle · 12/09/2019 03:23

Just say ahh I hadn't noticed, morning, how are you? Then carry on with your day.

Runkle · 12/09/2019 03:27

Err I don't think you can start wondering if they're disabilist from this, they were just trying to be funny.

ShippingNews · 12/09/2019 04:15

I've always been a slow walker, no disabilities, I just have a slow gait. I always get where I want to go in good time, and I am punctual always, so I don't see any problem. I have occasionally had comments about it but I just jokingly say something like "just call me Speedy" or whatever.

TimeForNewStart · 12/09/2019 04:31

But you don’t have a disability though, do you? You are walking unusually slowly because you have injured your hamstring, and people have noticed and commented. They are just people being humans.

Mummyoflittledragon · 12/09/2019 05:01

I am disabled and some of the time can walk at a normal pace but often not. No one has ever commented beyond asking if I need assistance. More often I am ignored. I know that is not the same for everyone.

passionfruit11 · 12/09/2019 05:06

Is this a wind up Hmm

BeepBeeeep · 12/09/2019 05:14

You should have said yes I know, I will meet myself going backwards before long.

feathermucker · 12/09/2019 05:25

Total non-issue.

Teacher22 · 12/09/2019 05:45

‘ I am usually a bit quicker but I have pulled my hamstring.’

MrsTishellsNeckBrace · 12/09/2019 05:50

I find a cheery fuck off/you a la The Big Yin to be the cure all to all these types of folky interactions. My sister who looks like a “Lady” always treats them to a jaunty “ Up yer bum” and my daughter who looks like a butter wouldn’t melt catches the same people later in the day and whispers “pishflaps” in their hearing only < very Sean Connery delivery > and leaves them mulling over if their hearing is failing them. Find YOUR phrase and deliver it liberally.

bwydda · 12/09/2019 06:12

I don't think yabu. I once had surgery which left me with a bit of a stoop and painfully slow walking for a while after. I worked for a large call centre and couldn't risk taking sick. After three weeks waddling around and getting on with it one of my colleagues bounded up to me "you're so slow! Aren't you embarrassed with us all walking past you? What's wrong with you anyway?"
It's easy to say ignore the dicks in life, but that really humiliated me and hurt me for a long time. It's a horrible feeling realising that you are being watched and judged - so much so that people are talking about it.

8by8 · 12/09/2019 06:34

I walk slowly and have had comments - I just smile and ignore, life’s too short to get wound up about things like this. As it happens I do have invisible disabilities so I suppose I could get offended and “call them out” but good grief they’re just making conversation.

domton · 12/09/2019 07:17

I have an invisible disability (as per the favored phrase right now) and when I am flaring, people commenting on how slowly I walk would be the least of my worries, I'd be focussing on managing the pain that said walking causes, and wouldn't give a stuff what people thought.

Different for everyone though, but I'd be proud that I was walking at all, and when hurting, this would be the ladt thing I'd be worried about.

WeeDangerousSpike · 12/09/2019 07:26

I think they probably commented because you were moving unusually slowly for you

So if you always moved that slow they probably wouldn't have commented because it would be normal for you.

I have a hidden disability which comes and goes. Recently I've been unable to walk up a flight of stairs in one go - I wouldn't be at all upset if someone who saw me walking normally commented on my sudden change of ability, I'd just think they were concerned I'd hurt myself. Which you had.

badgermushrooms · 12/09/2019 07:29

Some very weird comments here. Your colleagues are commenting on your body. It's weird! Would they be doing it if you were a man and senior to them? No. If they're struggling for conversation there's always the weather.

happycamper11 · 12/09/2019 07:29

'Ugh I know, hamstring injury... pain in the backside - literally'

GertrudeCB · 12/09/2019 07:32

In answer to the op, I have a condition that affects my mobiliy at times, sometimes quite severely, and yes, knobheads do comment.

RedskyLastNight · 12/09/2019 07:41

People are just making conversation. I had a complete stranger once stop me and tell me I was holding my umbrella the wrong way. I just nodded, smiled and moved on.

Gojojogogogo · 12/09/2019 07:43

Can't stand people walking slow for no reason. Just because they have all the time in the world, doesn't mean they have to get in the way and slow everybody down.

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