Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Shouted at for not wearing my mask outside 😔

239 replies

Dandylioness1 · 30/11/2020 15:16

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?

OP posts:
cologne4711 · 30/11/2020 17:43

Also - why should the OP have stepped aside? They were worried - why didn't they step aside?

cologne4711 · 30/11/2020 17:45

@ChickenyChick

I can't believed you complied!

some people have lost the plot

One woman shouted "single file! single file!" when we walked towards her, on the other side of the road (that is about 5 metres wide)

We just laughed (not to be dicks, but out of surprise) which lead to her ranting and raving at us, and even shaking her fist.

It's part of life now, some people are just terrified 9and will be forever, i think Sad )

Probably because nobody wants to stay indoors for months and months. Some people have every reason to be scared though

Nobody needs to stay indoors, they just need to pick their time and location.

cologne4711 · 30/11/2020 17:45

Sorry didn't mean to quote Chick's post!

Mrsfrumble · 30/11/2020 17:46

Back in lockdown part 1 we were taking an early morning walk in a park when a jogger ran towards us shouting “move away! You’re emitting a cloud of germs” and making shooing motions with her hands. The children found her most amusing.

Path woman was ignorant for expecting strangers to conform to laws she had made up in her head.

IrmaFayLear · 30/11/2020 17:46

I have every reason to be scared. But I wouldn’t shout at anyone in a million years. As I said upthread, in a similar case to the OP, a man shouted at me. It was very upsetting. He may have been the most vulnerable and terrified person in the entire world, but no, you do not shout at other people.

Janegrey333 · 30/11/2020 17:47

@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?

I wear my mask outside. Most other people do as well.
Inkpaperstars · 30/11/2020 17:48

I live in a city and we have never, or hardly ever, managed to go for any kind of walk or venture outside at all whilst keeping up a 2m distance from others. Believe me I have tried. Yet very few are wearing masks outside, so to be honest I don't know how this woman has managed to get through the rest of her walk. It's bad, but it's how it is. She should feel lucky you didn't push past her jogging and huffing and puffing in her face as often happens here. I saw a young female jogger shout at an elderly couple to get out of her way as she clearly wasn't prepared to slow down or swerve, despite the fact that park rules are that joggers must give way.

I think she was very possibly just very frightened, and so I would have probably just done as you did. She should not have shouted though.

There is no shame in doing whatever gets you out of the situation with the least drama and hassle. Yes, her manner was unfortunate but if she felt more comfortable with you wearing a mask and you had one available, why not? Nothing to be gained by causing a stand off.

murbblurb · 30/11/2020 17:49

was said path on a narrow cliff edge with a thousand-foot drop either side? If not, anyone worried about brief transitory contacts can step to one side and pass at a greater distance. She could have done that.

masks are not compulsory outside in the UK. I am super-cautious but even I think this is over the top. The super-worried can also pass quickly while holding their breath. Yelling does indeed spread it and increases risk as you have to breathe in. So file this silly cow under 'brainless' and ignore.

Some people do need explanations, it seems. I can sometimes be seen wearing a mask outside, if I've already been a in a shop and am going to others. Masks go on and stay on until the errands are finished.

I even (shock horror) sometimes use a walking pole. It helps with sciatica flare ups.

OffredOfjune · 30/11/2020 17:50

Really? I'd have told her to do one or worse

OffredOfjune · 30/11/2020 17:51

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

Not from what I've seen. There's no requirement to whatsoever

LST · 30/11/2020 17:51

@Janegrey where are you? We are in a really high case area and no one wears their masks whilst out walking. Madness!

Legoandloldolls · 30/11/2020 17:52

She was a rude bitch. I had some wank barge me in Sainsburys last week just because I was trying to keep 2 metres away from someone else. Covid really does bring out the nasty side of many people. I only gave him the death stare, should have been rude back.

I hate this year. It's like herpes, it just keeps on flaring up with irritating shit

HyacynthBucket · 30/11/2020 17:54

She probably overreacted, but I have sympathy with her anxiety about being passed on a narrow path. So many people seem to think it is OK to not give others the necessary 2m when passing them. I think it is very inconsiderate not to do so, thinking that you will be past them in a moment so why bother. Plenty of people taking their walks are vulnerable, even if it is not obvious from their appearance. This kind of encounter causes a lot of unnecessary stress to vulnerable people, and others.

IrmaFayLear · 30/11/2020 17:55

Those saying “she was scared” and semi-excusing the shouting, would it also be acceptable for two large blokes to yell at people?

The fact is that aggressive behaviour because people are not doing as you wish them to is never right.

Belladonna12 · 30/11/2020 17:55

Nobody needs to stay indoors, they just need to pick their time and location.

It's not that easy if you live in a big city. I don't agree with shouting or expecting people to wear masks outside. However some of the comments on here lack empathy.

Sushirolls · 30/11/2020 17:56

I would have told her to wind her neck in. CF!

loulouljh · 30/11/2020 17:57

She is the ignorant one..how sad and stupid.

Ilovesugar · 30/11/2020 18:01

What a cock womble! Sorry you were made to feel like that, complete over reaction by her and I’m pretty strict when I’m out about social distancing.

cazisalittlenuts · 30/11/2020 18:01

@Impatiens

This is one of those Only On Mumsnet things..
Except sadly, it happens more often than you think, I've seen it a lot locally over the last month or so and we arent even in lockdown where I am in scotland. Round here, even people with exemptions are being terrorised by the covid warriors.
IrmaFayLear · 30/11/2020 18:03

I have started out on a walk, seen it’s rather too busy for my liking, and headed home. Roaring at people who are out on a walk too makes no sense. There are plenty of times when even a city is quiet.

I went to one place recently and belatedly discovered it was extremely popular. I can’t imagine shrieking at the other visitors to stand aside.

Itsokthanks · 30/11/2020 18:03

Her stopping you and engaging in conversation would have caused more risk than walking straight past without a mask. She's an idiot.

Retiremental · 30/11/2020 18:04

Unbelievable.

HuggedTheRedwoods · 30/11/2020 18:06

Dont let it put you off getting out for a walk with your son OP. You can dismiss her with appropriate worded instructions to go read the guidance if you have bad luck to come across her/that type again.

clarepetal · 30/11/2020 18:07

She's a prick.

If she's that bothered,she shouldn't have come out.

Original poster
Dandylioness1 · 30/11/2020 18:08

@Janegrey333

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

I’m not sure where you are, I’m England.
I can honestly say I hardly see anyone wearing a mask outdoors.

OP posts: