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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to restore my faith in humanity please?

34 replies

TheClawww · 31/08/2020 18:47

I've just had to fly for work - airports are awful at the best of times but today was just foul

People had no respect for others personal space, most people seemed incapable of following basic instructions - particularly through security - but the thing that was so galling was how the airport and airline staff were being treated - one woman screamed at the flight attendant because she had to sit next to someone else, rather than an empty seat. Another woman kicked off [pun intended] because SHE chose the wrong seat and was in the front of the plane rather than the back, and she needed to be first out of the plane because her ankle hurt.

I got a message from my OH an hour or so ago, upset because some random lady had a go at him for wearing headphones whilst he was walking our dog because it is "rude".

I can't seem to go outside without seeing multiple cases of people just being foul to each other.

My mental health is a bit precarious, and I'm starting to get really overwhelmed with the fact that the world just seems to be an awful place, and people are mostly horrible - though logically I know this isn't true.

So please, share some nice stories or something - or am I actually not being unreasonable and people are just horrid.

OP posts:
Spied · 31/08/2020 18:52

I'm with you.
People are horrid lately.
Sorry I've nothing positive to say. Just showing solidarityGrin

mbosnz · 31/08/2020 18:53

We're not seeing some people at their best, right at the moment, are we?

Um, I guess my favourite story from my little part of the world at the moment, is how when my cat went AWOL, the next door neighbours we barely knew, went door to door for three blocks, printed out fliers and put them up, and mobilised everyone into looking for the little feline ball of trouble! (Everyone in the neighbourhood now knows our cat, and where to come if she turns up in their garden. . .) Great way to get to know the neighbours.

silentpool · 31/08/2020 18:54

Can't help, I'm sorry. I've been hanging on all year, through the lockdown, waiting to go back to Australia and my flight got cancelled today. Gutted.

omg35 · 31/08/2020 18:56

People are vile at the moment- you're right!

My people are good story is that my midwife is doing a home visit tomorrow because she knows I get anxious going to the surgery right now. I think that's really kind of her as she's very busy

RNBrie · 31/08/2020 18:56

I took my three dc (8, 6, 4) to a cafe yesterday for lunch and the owner came over and asked me if he could give them each a marshmallow. He then went on to tell them that he'd seen them being nice to each other and polite when they spoke to him and that I should be very proud. They were so chuffed, they swelled in front of me. Was lovely!!

IHateCoronavirus · 31/08/2020 18:57

I was out the other day and a lady was struggling to push her (I presume) partner up a very steep hill in his wheel chair. The gentleman was a tall man with a typical rugby league player build, so I imagine he would have been upward of 15stones. The man was about to get out of his chair to try to make his own way up the hill when passers by stopped to help. They did it in a very dignified way to the gentleman. A little bit of dust got in my eye that day.

mbosnz · 31/08/2020 18:57

I'm so sorry silentpool. That's gutting. It's hard being so far from home, isn't it? And not able to get back. . . it's almost a physical pain at times.

ButterflyOfFreedom · 31/08/2020 19:00

I found this group on Facebook which often has positive news stories

www.facebook.com/groups/1043372732715180/?ref=share

Daleksatemyshed · 31/08/2020 19:02

It's sad but some people are so angry at the moment they are lashing out at everyone. We're all tired of this, all afraid of what happens next, we all want our normal lives back. Let's try to be kind to each other, I know it's hard but let's try

yorkshirecountrylass · 31/08/2020 19:02

I'm sorry OP and I'm with you tbh. My next door neighbour saw me struggling to put together a wheelbarrow and came to help. I don't think I'd realised how badly depressed I felt until I realised the BO smell was me (bathed yesterday but been gardening and mucking our horses most of the day). He kindly commented how he'd been working all day too. Made me realise shower and deodorant before bed tonight. People on the whole are not at their best but there are still some that shine through (have ordered him a crate of beer and his wife a bottle of wine as a thank you!)

Imissmoominmama · 31/08/2020 19:04

I met an 84 year old, beautiful lady the other day. We got talking about music and how there was nothing like that little hiss of anticipation with a vinyl record. I told her that my son also loves vinyl and she made me promise to take him to visit her so that he could go through her vast collection and choose whatever he wanted from it. She could also get her leg up to her shoulder in a high kick. I fell in love with her!

Beechview · 31/08/2020 19:06

I’ll share some flight stories -
A few years ago when I didn’t realise that a certain airline didn’t put kids with parents, people got up and offered their seats so I could sit with my dc. There was a horrible woman who snarkily said ‘there’s always one’ referring to me which prompted others to get up and be nice.
While on a flight with my dc, I gave my phone to them so they could watch something and shared the earphones, one ear thing each. I felt a tap on my shoulder and the guy behind me gave me a splicer and another set of headphones.
I think there are more nice people than horrible people in the world.
But this was a few years ago so I can’t say for sure.

Wearywithteens · 31/08/2020 19:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Badnessinthefolds · 31/08/2020 19:11

Sorry you're having a tough time OP

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/4007749-Does-your-cats-behaviour-change-when-you-re-ill

This thread made me smile the other day (restoring your faith in felinity rather than humanity?)

I went for a walk this morning along a narrow path and everyone was carefully socially distancing by pushing themselves into the bushes at the edge, laughing about it and thanking each other. It was a beautiful morning with lots of late wildflowers

I hope your day gets better

Peccary · 31/08/2020 19:23

We went to a big NT estate today, everyone was polite and moved out of each others way. People were very tolerant of the fact DD wanted to operate all the gates

Teal99 · 31/08/2020 19:28

I think it depends where you are. Previous poster mentions NT property, same here, the people are all mindful of SD and are polite. Airports and air travel seem to bring out the worse in people in more normal times let alone now! I feel very sorry for people who have to deal with the public at the moment.

Suzi888 · 31/08/2020 19:31

Yup, people are horrible. Hardly anyone seems nice these days, it’s all me, Me, ME

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 31/08/2020 19:42

All the way through these very strange times I've had the same feeling; that people are showing us who they really are... Time and time again I've been amazed by the utter selflessness of some people and horrified by the entitled self-importance of others.

Original poster
TheClawww · 31/08/2020 19:42

Aw these are nice - even just the solidarity ones are making me feel better.

I'm in Jersey at the moment and people are much more chilled here (their Covid situation is better, which probably helps)

The lady who did my Covid test at the airport was so lovely and kind, which made me feel a bit better.

The situation at the moment is awful, but I can't see how it's an excuse tbh. Even if you can't be kind, you can at least keep your mouth shut right?

OP posts:
FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue · 31/08/2020 19:47

I think at airports and on planes most people are quite stressed - and that's in normal times. With the current situation people are even more stressed and anxious when flying, and that manifests as snappiness / unfriendliness.

ElsieMc · 31/08/2020 19:57

During lockdown, our garage roof died a death and when roofers returned to work we got ludicrous quotes like £10,000. My DH is 60 and works full time and on call out. Yet my 14 yo grandson has been up working every single day with him. He never asks for anything, other than what's for tea!

Shopping in M and S and there was a huge full trolley in front of me. I waited in the designated place and began unpacking my small basket load. A woman behind me said "You cant do that, I am with her". She was pushing another huge full trolley. I said that you couldn't "save" places in a supermarket queue. I looked at the cashier but she said nothing. I guess she would be the person elbowing the children aside to get to the lifeboats on Titanic.

And the assistant in Aldi when I bought my two dogs some dog food which come in packs of six. She carefully removed two of the tins because I could only have four. Sigh.

TheMandalorian · 31/08/2020 20:04

The trick is to take a moment to think of all the other people there who didn't kick off and just got on with their day in a pleasant but unassuming way. We always stick on the bad things as a way to try to understand why that situation occurred iyswim. Or even the ones who wished you a good day as they let you pass, etc. There are always angry people with chips on their shoulder.

Rae36 · 31/08/2020 20:09

Ds age 12 and I were out earlier moving a load of slabs the builders merchant had dropped off on our front driveway. We want to get the car back on the driveway asap, parking is tricky round our way.
We had 60 to move, planned to do 20 tonight, 20 tomorrow afternoon and 20 tomorrow evening.
A man and his son, early 20s maybe, from the house across the road and up a bit who we know to say hello to but that's all came out and offered to help us and all 60 slabs are now in the back garden and the car is back on the drive.
That was really kind of them. The son is always at home, he has autism I guess but I didn't ask. His dad said he loves to be useful and please knock on their door and ask any time we can use him. So he's coming back on Thursday when the rest of the supplies get dropped off and will move all the stone and whatnot to go under the slabs round the back for us with his wheelbarrow. He looked really happy to be asked, we're really happy to have his help, everyone's a winner. I didn't expect that this evening at all.

SimonJT · 31/08/2020 20:14

My boyfriend is having to quarantine so yesterday our neighbour brought some things round to keep him entertained like puzzles etc, they also made him a 10 day wine calendar.

Today me and my son went to an outdoor playground, a mum by chance took a really nice photo of my son, she worked out who he was with so she could send the photo on before deleting it.

anonacatchat · 31/08/2020 20:15

I think everyone is just feeling totally fed up and overwhelmed