Shouted at for not wearing my mask outside 😔

[Dandylioness1]

I took my son for a walk at lunch time.
We drove to a nearby park that I haven’t been to many times before.

We were walking and the path became very Narrow.

A couple were walking towards me, it was impossible for us to pass with a 2m
distance it was more like 1m.

It was such a brief encounter and I’d passed other people on the same path with no concerns.

However the female in this couple put her hand out and told me to stop, she began to shout at me for not wearing my mask.

She told me I must not walk past her unless I have my mask on as I’m putting her at risk and I’m ignorant. ☹️

I did have my mask in my bag but I’ve never worn it outside before and especially if it’s just a brief passing, as this was.

The woman was so bloody rude to me I could feel myself getting upset.

I put my mask on and they walked past us.


The thing is they wouldn’t have been face to face with me and it was such a short time for them to pass me.

I honestly feel so upset about this and it’s the first time anyone has ever refused to walk past me outdoors because I don’t have a mask on.

Am I in the wrong?

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

@Nicknacky

Janegrey33 Where do you live where everyone is wearing masks outside?

It’s become common in several countries and mandatory in some. Italy imposed a new requirement in October- mandatory mask wearing outside unless you’re completely isolated from people outside your bubble, like up on a moor by yourself!

This lady had probably heard about such measures in other countries and worked herself into a lather. No excuse to be so rude though, they don’t apply in the UK.

[Audreyseyebrows]

@Xenia if you get arrested we will all wear ‘free Xenia’ T-shirt’s.

[rka2017]

Xenia ,
Funny, can’t stop laughing

[VulvaPerson]

I find the mask rules about picking up darkly amusing though, given they are not allowing kids who want to to wear masks in school at all. Primary, so no moving about corridoors really. Mine wanted to wear one her gradma got her as it was LOL doll, not because of the virus as such, she saw it as an accessory. But it was taken off her and I was told to not send it in again, though I was free to bring it on pickup and she could put it on in the yard if she wants..

So not allowed at all indoors. But everyone has to wear one outdoors. Makes perfect sense.

[VulvaPerson]

@RaspberryCoulis

I wear my mask outside. Most other people do as well.

No they don't!

Not here either.

The people who I assume are more high risk, or more scared..or maybe both, I have seen wearng masks outside on occasion, but they tend to be those big bulky ones, not the cloth masks, the ones that do actually protect the wearer..forgot what they are called now.

The only time I see masks outside, is in the school yard where a lot of parents gather. And thats only because they are told to, as only one or two seemed to be wearing them in the yard until we were told that from now on, no mask no picking your child up basically The exempt can explain to the school why they are exempt apparently. But otherwise, they SAY if you don't have a mask they will refuse entry to the yard at all. Not seen it tested yet though as most just get on with it. I am quite sure they cannot refuse you picking up your child though, but sticking on a mask is easy enough so I am unlikely to find out. Once people are clear of the yard, most I have seen take them off immediately, like when people come out of shops into the air.

[Mcnotty]

Stupid woman. it’s not OP not wearing her mask that was putting them both at risk (you can’t catch COVID by simply walking past someone) it’s woman’s ‘shouting & talking’ and in the process spluttering saliva all over the place that put them both at risk. She should have kept her mouth closed and just walked on. Total idiot!

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

YANBU OP, hope you're feeling ok.

Reminds me of a slightly bonkers incident about a week into the first lockdown. DS and I were out for a walk and DS left the path to try to climb a tree. It was lovely and sunny so I sat down on the very edge of the path to watch him. The path was at least 1.5m wide, and I was sitting down, facing away from anyone passing. Nonetheless, a man walking past stopped and insisted that I move into the forest He then carefully edged past me, keeping as far away as possible.

He was very polite about it though, so I was happy to humour him. I did wonder though how he coped with people who were less obliging.

[cologne4711]

@Xenia

I bought a 2 meter folding ruler when the pandemic started. May be I should extend it (it is very long) and not let anyone within that distance although given the police state in which we now live they will probably say it is an offensive weapon.

ha ha (though it's not funny really)

[Nicknacky]

Janegrey33 Where do you live where everyone is wearing masks outside?

[Janegrey333]

Obviously she was. Do you have to ask?

[trappedsincesundaymorn]

Was the mad woman wearing a mask OP?

[Xenia]

I bought a 2 meter folding ruler when the pandemic started. May be I should extend it (it is very long) and not let anyone within that distance although given the police state in which we now live they will probably say it is an offensive weapon.

[IrmaFayLear]

I simply don’t understand why some people on the thread are excusing them.

Are people allowed to shout at others because of other things they don’t like people doing? As far as I am aware, it is not illegal to burp in public. Nevertheless, it is disgusting. Can I shout at burpers? And if not, why not, as it makes me gag.

If you are afraid, the onus is on you to stay away from others. I admit to being quite afraid, and avoid busy places. The thought of shouting at a mother and child is abhorrent. As I said, a man with his wife shouted at me very aggressively when I was a good ten feet away from them. I know it was their problem but it was upsetting.

[randomsabreuse]

Lots of park paths are hemmed in with hedges/banks. Very few are 2m wide.

I'm in Scotland, it's December, many paths have got deep shoe stealing mud if you go off the tarmac.

There's also twisty paths that you can't actually see all the way to the end of the "narrow" bit.

Should all paths be shut? Stay at home, do no exercise.

I won't be running in a mask. I struggle with the marginal loss of downwards peripheral vision and trip much more Vs going without even when walking. Probably better I get fat from lack of exercise than end up in hospital with a broken limb...

[Wavey123]

Im sure you won’t have been the only one she ranted at on that walk, I’d have been oblivious as I probably would have had headphones in and don’t tend to make eye contact with people passing by. If she’s that nervous to be outside she shouldn’t have gone somewhere with narrow paths where you can’t avoid being close to someone

[Ethelfleda]

She was an utter twat

[nosswith]

I come to narrow parts of the pavement or path on some of my daily walks. What usually happens if someone is walking in the other direction is that one of us waits where the path is a bit wider. Or walks a bit in the road. Usually one or other acknowledges and/or says thank you and a smile in response.

[itsgettingweird]

Next time if you loving aside means they won't pass - you carry on walking past them!

[Nolie100]

To be honest I would have done exactly the same, especially if I was with a young child.

As much as I'd like to think I'd have a come up with a witty put down worthy of Oscar Wilde, or a succinct summary of the latest govt legislation on mask wearing, in reality I'd probably have just put on a mask too to shut Ms Looney Tunes up.

You encountered a bullying idiot (as so many of us do) and you avoided a full blown argument in front of your child. Pat yourself on the back for that at least.

Forget about the turdmuffins and keep enjoying your walks.

[VashtaNerada]

I could imagine my elderly parents doing this. I have told them it‘s making them vulnerable to someone hitting them! It comes from genuine fear though, and they just can’t understand why some people don’t wear them all the time outdoors.
As a side note, I wear one on my commute and have started to wear it even when I’m not on the actual tube because it keeps my face lovely and warm in this weather!

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

No one wears them at all outdoors where I live except overly anxious people.

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

I simply would have said "sorry, there's no requirement to wear one outdoors and the risk from my passing you is negligible. Please don't shout though as that is riskier. I'm sorry you feel so worried but that isn't my fault."

[lovelemoncurd]

Next time just say 'go fuck yourself' . Practice saying it op. You will feel great.

[KatherineJaneway]

I wear my mask outside. Most other people do as well.

@Janegrey333 Where do you live where most people wear masks?

[byebyeboyee]

She shouldn't have shouted that was rude.