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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that anyone can use the lifts?

125 replies

MyPlumNewt · 12/03/2026 12:51

I’ve just been shouted at by a lady in a wheelchair and told I’m “holding up” the queue by queuing to use the lift. And then she kept shouting at me saying only disabled people or people with prams should use the lifts. AIBU to think that anyone can use the lifts if they want and not only disabled people or people with prams? I wasn’t jumping in the queue either, I was just waiting in the queue normally. The queue had 6 people in.

OP posts:
Bonkers1966 · 12/03/2026 12:53

Lifts are for everyone. Never mind that old lady. She is probably in all sorts of pain. You do you.

ticketwoes · 12/03/2026 12:53

Well yeah, anyone can use them.

personally, I wouldn’t queue to use a lift if I was physically able to walk the stairs, but it’s your time you are wasting, no one else’s.

Faolo · 12/03/2026 12:54

yanbu, lifts are for everyone, but even if they weren’t, how would she know you don’t need it? I really struggle with pain on staircases so I often use the lifts for even one floor

MrsHaroldWilson · 12/03/2026 12:57

Unless there's signage to say the facility is only for the disabled or prams, then you haven't done anything wrong.

NovemberMorn · 12/03/2026 12:57

Lifts are for everyone to use, unless they state otherwise.
I would always drop back in a queue for someone who was obviously in more need of it than me....and I think anyone with any empathy should do the same.

User890976 · 12/03/2026 12:58

I personally find this inconsiderate and annoying. But also they may have an unseen medical reason for needing to use it

ClaredeBear · 12/03/2026 12:59

How on earth can she know how mobile you are? No, of course you can use the lift. I make a point of not using them but if I was having a tired day I might!

Justploddingonandon · 12/03/2026 12:59

Where were you? I know some places (Science museum for example) ask that you take the stairs if you can, and leave the lifts for people unable to. It doesn't just specify wheelchairs and pushchairs though, plenty of other people really struggle with stairs. My MIL for example, has a knee problem that isn't obvious when walking on flat ground, but really struggles with stairs. Also, I'm reasonably fit an healthy, but would probably take the lift if it was more than 3 flights up.

NovemberMorn · 12/03/2026 12:59

Bonkers1966 · 12/03/2026 12:53

Lifts are for everyone. Never mind that old lady. She is probably in all sorts of pain. You do you.

Age wasn't mentioned was it?

ilovepixie · 12/03/2026 13:00

Not all disabilities are visible. People need to use the lifts for all sorts of reasons. Tell her to jog on.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 12/03/2026 13:00

ticketwoes · 12/03/2026 12:53

Well yeah, anyone can use them.

personally, I wouldn’t queue to use a lift if I was physically able to walk the stairs, but it’s your time you are wasting, no one else’s.

Likewise, especially if they're very busy.

IDontHateRainbows · 12/03/2026 13:01

I commonly use the lift because I'm unfit and in a hurry. I mean clearly if there is a queue of wheelchairs and buggies I'd take the stairs but thats quite uncommon .

JacquesHarlow · 12/03/2026 13:02

AIBU to think that anyone can use the lifts if they want and not only disabled people or people with prams?

Why do you need to come on a forum to ask this, @MyPlumNewt ?!!

Of course anyone can use them if they want.

The unspoken covenant we USED to have however, was that if you were able bodied, able to move around with freedom etc, that you wouldn't take just what you were entitled to; you would also consider what would keep the flow of society moving.

Which brings me to this:

I wasn’t jumping in the queue either, I was just waiting in the queue normally.

Why wait when you could walk down the stairs ?

Yes you're entitled to wait, same as everyone else.

But unless you are (typically) about to tell me that you have a hidden disability, are pregnant, or can't walk....

Then why not consider the needs of others?

If I see a lift, and I can see there's a queue behind me of people who DO NOT have another option to choose from,

Then funnily enough I just walk on past and head to the stairs.

No one is lining up to congratulate me, it just is the normal thing to do in society when you have more options than those who have fewer options.

YABU.

Pricesandvices · 12/03/2026 13:02

Yanbu. But if you're able bodied and don't have a pushchair you may as well use the stairs.

I broke my ankle once and didn't even know where the lifts were in our town. The waiting for a lift was annoying too.

MyPlumNewt · 12/03/2026 13:03

Justploddingonandon · 12/03/2026 12:59

Where were you? I know some places (Science museum for example) ask that you take the stairs if you can, and leave the lifts for people unable to. It doesn't just specify wheelchairs and pushchairs though, plenty of other people really struggle with stairs. My MIL for example, has a knee problem that isn't obvious when walking on flat ground, but really struggles with stairs. Also, I'm reasonably fit an healthy, but would probably take the lift if it was more than 3 flights up.

It was in a shopping centre.

OP posts:
NovemberMorn · 12/03/2026 13:10

MyPlumNewt · 12/03/2026 13:03

It was in a shopping centre.

I agree with JacquesHarlow ,

Just because you can, doesn't mean you always should.

Andtheworldwentwhite · 12/03/2026 13:12

My son is 22. And looks fit and healthy but he has very bad legs. One lot of stairs would put him in pain. So he always takes the lift. I dare anyone to say anything to him. They wouldn’t get a nice answer from me.

SpringIsSpringing2026 · 12/03/2026 13:15

Bonkers1966 · 12/03/2026 12:53

Lifts are for everyone. Never mind that old lady. She is probably in all sorts of pain. You do you.

Why have you assumed she was 'old'??

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 12/03/2026 13:19

As someone with an unseen disability I would be pretty oissed off if I were in your shoes. I have severe damage to my shoulder and neck which causes referred pain throughout my spine, pelvis and hips. Walking can be agony, but stairs especially are a killer. And escalators can be dangerous if I am on high doses of my meds as I become quite dizzy. I dont look disabled, but people make assumptions.

A lift is there to be used by anyone who requires it.

The question really is were you there because you needed to use the lift or because it was just easier? If the latter then you should probably adjust your mentality around priority of needs.

StrawberrySquash · 12/03/2026 13:19

Depends on the situation and where the stairs are etc, how busy is the lift. At work I'm forced into a lift, there are no stairs. But I went to a concert with my grandmother who was worried about the stairs. So we found a lift. Place was very busy though so I took the stairs because I could.

Breadcat24 · 12/03/2026 13:19

I am waiting for both knees to be replaced. I had to travel by rail this week and had luggage and got a right foul look from 2 ladies with push chairs when I got out of the lift. I am not on crutches or anything but I struggle with stairs.
By the way Glasgow High Street rail station your stairs are awful for people with mobility issues I was nearly in tears by the time I got to the top.
People should not be so quick to judge

NewZebra · 12/03/2026 13:21

Ridiculous. They are for everyone. Some people don’t like using escalators. I personally don’t like lifts or escalators and will always choose normal stars if I can.

SpringIsSpringing2026 · 12/03/2026 13:23

She was wrong & rude.

apart from anything else, a standing person really doesn't stop a wheelchair or pram from getting in a lift if they could have otherwise, so it makes NO difference.

NovemberMorn · 12/03/2026 13:24

I think it's wrong for anyone to challenge someone else...like it is often said, not all disabilities are obvious.
The lady in the wheelchair was wrong, but so was the OP.
If she could use the stairs without a problem so as to not make people who needed the lift wait longer than necessary, it was selfish of her imo.

So I voted YABU.

ClaredeBear · 12/03/2026 13:25

Gosh, to all those being judgy, it’s a shopping centre. They provide lifts so that you can shop to your heart’s delight and not have to worry about heaving bags up flights of stairs!