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AIBU?

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Original poster

Outside walks and people

455 replies

CharlotteRose90 · 01/01/2021 15:54

No hate please but I’m hoping I’m not the only one.

So me and my mum have been going for walks with the dog and it’s making me so angry what people are doing. Walking so close to us and not keeping distance. We’re both in the vulnerable category and I’ve said so many times to people to move away.

I completely get you don’t have to wear a mask but don’t walk next to or behind people you don’t know. The park we choose today had a massive path and people still did it. I ended up shouting at this woman for standing next to my mum and coughing.

Rant over. I’m hoping I’m not crazy

OP posts:
Ddot · 02/01/2021 18:46

Yes your right and anyone who thinks your not is a numpty. What is wrong with people get the hell away from others. Wear a
mask, keep your distance, wash your hands or use sanitizer. Stop getting so close, you are less likely to get it outside but think about how far your breath goes on a cold day! Treat everyone like they have it including yourself and we will all be safer

DeathValley69 · 02/01/2021 18:48

Unreasonable. Shouting at strangers, on behalf of your mother or not, is crazy and probably sprays COVID all over the other person. Go at a more quiet time if you want the park to yourself.

Happyher · 02/01/2021 18:59

People have different levels of anxiety about the virus and they won’t know you’re vulnerable. They probably aren’t being rude, they just think differently to you, so you will have to make the effort to SD. I wear one of those snood masks so I can just discreetly pull it up if I have to walk close to someone outside

Aglet · 02/01/2021 19:23

I'm always dodging into the road to avoid people. I've got a 90 year old vulnerable mum at home. YANBU. Is it too much to ask for people to respect the distance requested by the government?

ewright86 · 02/01/2021 19:26

If you’re classed as vulnerable shouldn’t you be shielding and not going to busy public places anyway?

I get that it’s annoying because a lot of people are out walking at the moment and places are a lot busier than usual but if it’s your health that’s the concern you should be making sure your keeping away from people. You can’t expect everyone to know that you’re in the vulnerable category. Also don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be shouting at strangers who are just out for a walk.

mumof2exhausted · 02/01/2021 19:43

Shouting at the woman is over the top but I do understand your frustration. I just basically pretend I’m pac-man ready at a moments notice to jump off path / cross road etc to avoid gangs of people. My 4 year old understands we walk in single file to let people past but it seems some adults do not get this.

caspersmagicaljourney · 02/01/2021 19:44

If someone is walking up behind you stand aside and let them get ahead

The best answer tbh. I always do this anyway even pre-pandemic as it saves friction. I certainly don't pick arguments with people about it Life's too short.😎

anon666 · 02/01/2021 21:12

I agree with you and I'm not even officially vulnerable, although after years of awful chest infections / bronchitis I'm probably a bit extra paranoid.

I think it's the way that it's become a complete free for all. In the first lockdown people were mindful of distance, considerate, patient and careful.

In this one it feels like those social norms have gone.

The reason I'm worried is that we don't yet know how transmissible the new variant is outdoors, but we do know that the hospital beds and ICU beds are full and under increasing pressure.

It makes sense to be risk averse and I admit I'm staying in more now.

HenleyMay · 02/01/2021 22:35

Passing single file is showing consideration for others. Those approaching less able-bodied fellow citizens 2 sometimes 3 abreast in the current climate and any of you to have defended this behaviour are shallow, self-absorbed, socially inept dimwits. Thank you to all those in our society who care for and consider others’ needs. You make the world in general a much nicer place to be.

Mamanyt · 02/01/2021 22:57

I"m going to open myself up to some static, here, but how many of you actually read the part about the shouting? She shouted at someone literally standing NEXT TO HER MOTHER AND COUGHING. And I'm willing to bet that the person doing it was maskless. Given what is going on right now, I'd probably have shouted at that point, myself.

elenacampana · 02/01/2021 23:03

Shouting at people in the park is considered normal by some now, is it? I’d have been more likely to ask the lone woman if she was alright than humiliate her in public.

ERFFER · 02/01/2021 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

saraclara · 02/01/2021 23:44

@ERFFER

I like when people have met ( unexpectedly) in the street or park and do a big , exaggerated 2 m distance apart from each other- but causes everyone else to squeeze by them on the pavement or foot path lol Cheers guys.
Yeah. But like all these things, people are generally just distracted. An "excuse me" in a friendly tone, has always resulted in people moving instantly and apologetically, for me. To be honest a bit of friendly interaction with anybody, even if it just lasts a second or two, is a bit of a bonus to asking people to move!

Just be nice, people!

BackforGood · 02/01/2021 23:55

Same here elena

Mamanyt - do you actually think that the poor lady chose to start coughing at that moment ? Hmm

Understandingnotignorance · 03/01/2021 00:25

I agree op and I find it so entitled/ rude when they walk at you in the opposite direction 9 times out if 10 expecting you to move out the way for them. Also the ones who socially distance on their walks with each other and so take over the path making it more unsafe for you to walk past them.

Justa47 · 03/01/2021 03:47

@CharlotteRose90

Completely agree.
People need to get alert and start distancing again.

Bookworming · 03/01/2021 04:06

And the person I shouted at was because we again stopped and stood to the side and the lady decided to stop next to my mum without a care in the world and started coughing. I’m definitely not being unreasonable about that.

Oh yes you are!

Bookworming · 03/01/2021 04:11

No dawdling from us at all we walk at a normal pace thanks. Just inconsiderate areholes that don’t know what distance is from people. We went at a quiet time and unfortunately was still busy.

You and your family are clearly completely perfect op!

Shouting at people in the street, they're arseholes?

You picked a busy quiet time?

Stay indoors?

Justa47 · 03/01/2021 05:15

@Bookworming

Again excusing people not following the rules
Have you seen the numbers since we last clashed?
Or I guess I am being unreasonable again.

Justa47 · 03/01/2021 05:19

@Bookworming

Why would you say people should distance.
People have social responsibility
I am not excusing the shouting
But it’s also not acceptable that people do t turn their Brian’s on and follow the rules

Bookworming · 03/01/2021 05:31

@Justa47 it takes two to get close! Why doesn't OP and her DM move? Why not go out at a properly quiet time if you're shielding?

I walk every single day, I take my own precautions, be it early morning or late evening walks, when it is quiet.

Or ensuring that I keep my distance from others, not them from me. That may mean I have to walk on the grass and not the path, but boots and wellies deal with that issue.

But mostly I just walk on the path and I'm happy that I'm safe actually. I don't shout at people who come to close to anyone I'm with. Firstly because I assume whoever I am with is able to decide if they feel under threat and deal with it themselves, the DM is not a child, she's a grown adult with her own mind. Why was the DM standing next to this woman, but of course the way OP portrays it is the woman was standing next to her DM. Actually they were standing next to each other. So they both needed to move to SD.

Bookworming · 03/01/2021 05:38

Again excusing people not following the rules
Have you seen the numbers since we last clashed?
Or I guess I am being unreasonable again.

I assume from this you've come across me on another thread?

I've not excused anyone for breaking the rules, I've said that OP was unreasonable for shouting, I've said she's unreasonable for calling people arseholes. I've said she should stay indoors, anyone that stressed can't cope with walking outside. She can't rule what people do, it's making her angry, she needs to avoid it.

Please stop stalking me @Justa47 it's a weird thing to do! Yes you are being totally unreasonable to do it!

Justa47 · 03/01/2021 06:05

@Bookworming

I am not stalking you.
I just clearly have a memory for names
You spent a lot of Christmas excusing rule breakers. I am sure you can remember.

Also if some one encroaches on your space they are the person in the wrong. I agree both can move.

Stalking - jeez sad. But if you can remember you were the one repeatedly replying to me.

Have a lovely day

Bookworming · 03/01/2021 06:08

*am not stalking you.
I just clearly have a memory for names
You spent a lot of Christmas excusing rule breakers. I am sure you can remember.
*

Nope don't remember!

Also if some one encroaches on your space they are the person in the wrong. I agree both can move.

Well why are you arguing with me then?

Stalking - jeez sad. But if you can remember you were the one repeatedly replying to me.*

Nope still don't remember! *

Have a lovely day*

You too, enjoy your walk and don't forget to take Brian with you!

Ddot · 03/01/2021 06:21

Who is Brian and why is he getting brought into the argument 🤣

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