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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think Social Distancing has created a new uncomfortable social problem?

111 replies

Jigsawpuzzles · 20/08/2020 22:28

Let me explain, I work in healthcare. Today we took a rare treat trip to Legoland. Me and my two DC, I am a single parent. All was pretty good social distancing wise until one guy behind in queue (with wife and son) repeatedly kept moving along wIth us to be right behind us. To the point several times he hit me with his bag, zero sorry zero attempts to stay back.

Several announcement go in in the queues to remind people, after about 1/2 hour of this I asked really politely “if it’s ok would you mind keeping your distance a bit” he was literally arm to arm with me. His immediate response was “you could just move there..” indicating the 1m max space in front of us before the next group of people🙄. My response was well yes I could but that’s not the point as you will move forward again. His wife then intervened and tried to appease us by saying “ok that’s ok, are you a bit worried..” ever so patronising. As I then said personally as I work in healthcare maybe they would do best to not crowd me and be as worried themselves. The woman’s response was “my mother died of Covid so don’t say that”. A strange response as they clearly didn’t GAF about precautions.

As you can imagine what then happened was guy kept back but in an obviously pissed off arsey way. I felt like crap the rest of the queue (another joyful 45mins) and wished I hadn’t said anything. Also angry as I was just asking for basic manners! I imagine if I was with a man he wouldn’t of acted that way. WIBU? And does anyone else feel like this is going to always be an awkward social thing to enforce when people don’t like/aren’t in a position to have conflict?

OP posts:

SeasickPenguin · 20/08/2020 23:28

"resting birth face"

Flipping heck, I hope that's a typo.

I know it is but lol, what a thought.

OP, the man was an entitled dick assisted by his patronising dick of a wife. You are right, all these new rules have created various social awkwardnesses between the thoughtful and the thoughtless.

IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0 · 20/08/2020 23:30

You go to a theme park and don't expect to meet covidiots there?

RabbitsGoneRogue · 20/08/2020 23:31

We were at Legoland today too op! Found the distancing in queues v hit and miss. Had the most success by giving regular reminders to the dc to leave a space in front of them before the next group! Seemed to remind the people behind us too

Didkdt · 20/08/2020 23:32

I am surprised theme parks are open whilst we social distance but they are and I avoid them.
People going back into familiar environments behave in old familiar ways I’m afraid.

Original poster

Jigsawpuzzles · 20/08/2020 23:33

@Sophiafour from you post we are geographically and mindset very close ha ha. Yes living in a tourist city doesn’t help but I’ve found at home we’ve done really well and had low rates.
Moving to 1m (even tho Legoland have it as 2m) has made people just go back to no distancing IMO. Thanks for all those who said hope we had a nice day, we really did it was just this that got me a bit peeved and as the only adult I had to ask here for others to say if this was me BU :-)

OP posts:

Enoughnowstop · 20/08/2020 23:33

Why go to a theme park if you're that paranoid? This was bound to happen in the queues for rides

Because...the economy. Places such as Legoland have lost months of valuable revenue over the summer months. They need us it there spending. Because it is an outdoor place with less likelihood of transmission. Because it’s good to do something with our kids who are widely considered ‘victims’ of the Covid situation.

And no, it wasn’t bound to happen. It is perfectly possible to keep your distance. Too many people choose not to.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/08/2020 23:34

We've had many a pre-Covid thread about people who queue up your arse. Odd behaviour, but I've never given it much thought.

I think it's a combination of impatience and being too stupid to realise that the speed of a queue depends on the number of people in it, not its length.

SteveArnottsbeadyeyes · 20/08/2020 23:34

While I do see where you’re coming from And think the guy was an arse - I do think that if you’re worried you don’t go to a crowded place.
I went to a hotel last weekend. They did have good systems in place - but realistically - people sit down at a table that hasn’t been sanitised, or habe a few drinks and sit near a stranger etc.

chickenyhead · 20/08/2020 23:35

You did the right thing.

Its a shame that it impacted you for so long after, but I get it. Being glared at for a reasonable request is yuck, especially when confined to a queue with kids for 45m.

RealityExistsInTheHumanMind · 20/08/2020 23:36

I am normally so far on the libertarian side but this man is 100% in the wrong.

I don't believe masks do much. I don't think most of us are a much risk currently

BUT

I cannot understand why people will not keep 1 metre or ideally 2 metre distance. It doesn't make us have to wait any longer. There is absolutely no downsides.

I will not believe that most people are being dicks, I don't give a monkeys about masks - so long as people keep their distance but twats like this are, and probably always were, a pain in the arse.

Yummymummy2020 · 20/08/2020 23:38

Some people are very silly, selfish and rude. You are right to keep your distance, perhaps if more people followed the advice, there would be less cases. You should be able to go anywhere at all with the expectation people will use common sense and have consideration for others by following the guidelines as much as possible in a given situation. It’s not paranoid at all, there is a global pandemic. I’m constantly in awe of the excessive use of the term paranoia in an offensive way towards people being sensible and responsible. You are not at all unreasonable! As a side note, before the pandemic I hated this too, so in the current climate I hate it even more and would have said something too.

JacobReesMogadishu · 20/08/2020 23:42

I had this right at the start of lockdown. Someone in the corner shop queue telling me I could move up. Pointed out neither of us were going to get served quicker by me crowding the person in front of me. She got really arsey and said she was only trying to help. Wtf.

I sometimes feel I need a swimming noodle hat.

To think Social Distancing has created a new uncomfortable social problem?

LucilleBluth · 20/08/2020 23:44

I hate to say it op because I do agree but of you are that bothered then I would avoid theme parks.

You are always going to get this on a crowded place imo.

GabsAlot · 20/08/2020 23:46

this is what i was sayin g on another thread today-why do they have to stand right on top of you even in normal times theres no need u dont get on the ride any quicker it makes no sense

BigChocFrenzy · 20/08/2020 23:49

YANBU

Inconsiderate idiots ignoring SD both increases infection risk and discourages some other people from going out and spending
So the economy will take longer to pick up

Shiverywinterbottom · 20/08/2020 23:54

YANBU Op, people just don’t give a shit about SD anymore. I was in Asda yesterday and someone was standing between the 2m markings on the floor right behind me.
I didn’t say anything but it did piss me off x

stayathomer · 20/08/2020 23:55

I think the world is just on edge st the moment, unfortunately, and the mixture of terrified and fed up and fed up of hearing about it has everyone going nuts!!

QuidcoQueen · 20/08/2020 23:56

Yanbu. I've always hated people who get in my personal space and even now when they should know better, step the fuck back!

We went to a zoo recently and luckily most people where ok. Queuing well.
The children where not, but that's to be expected.

TitsOutForHarambe · 20/08/2020 23:57

It happens to me everytime an older man is behind me in the queue. They always get too close. I'm sorry if that sounds judgmental but honestly, it happens every single time an older man is behind me in a queue. Other people don't seem to do it.

My husband is an ICU reg and is in close contact with multiple covid patients every day. I am very aware that I could well be a symptomless carrier and I do keep my distance as much as I can but what can you do when someone is so keen to cozy up behind you in a queue?

Itisbetter · 20/08/2020 23:59

I ended up queuing for the checkout with my trolley behind me to keep a family away from me the other day. . Seriously how hard is it to stop on a line painted on the floor???

TatianaBis · 21/08/2020 00:00

I can’t imagine giving a fuck that he was pissed off tbh.

There’s way too much people pleasing on these forums.

lunar1 · 21/08/2020 00:06

We all need to be far less 'British' regarding what we put up with. Once you've told a few idiots to back off it's pretty liberating.

LillianBland · 21/08/2020 00:08

but what can you do when someone is so keen to cozy up behind you in a queue?

I swear I’m tempted to get a fart machine and just let it rip. I bet they’d soon move back.

TeddyIsaHe · 21/08/2020 00:10

Get a really big friend - Dp is 6ft 8 and I tell you, no one has ever made a single comment when I’ve asked them to move away from me when queuing etc once they’ve clocked him.

I should hire him out

PickAChew · 21/08/2020 00:12

@Itisbetter

I ended up queuing for the checkout with my trolley behind me to keep a family away from me the other day.

. Seriously how hard is it to stop on a line painted on the floor???

I did tell a woman who was standing by the card machine, when I needed to pay. That she was welcome to pay for my shop, the other day.

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