Things people do that baffle you 2

[jenzzi]

Following this thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5520735-things-people-do-that-just-baffle-you?page=40

Things included
talking on loudspeaker in public
very elderly people who shop on Saturday morning
people that stop at shop entrances
people park next to you in a car park that is about 20% full

Ok I start

Parents that drape a towel or thin blanket over the top of their DC sitting in a pushchair. These parents have no idea that this heats up the pushchair. A pushchair sunshade or parasol is better

People believing religion baffles me.

very elderly people who shop on Saturday morning

I am old now and mostly do online grocery shopping anyway, but I remember my elderly uncle always used to go shopping and into town on a Saturday because he loved the busy vibe. He lived alone and I think going where there were lots of people was important to him.

People who park on pavements and think that because they pull their wing mirrors in or leave the hazard lights on that makes it OK.

Re folding down corners in books. I’d much rather use a bookmark. I don’t have the gift of being able to close a book and then open it later at the exact page I left off, and bookmarks save me looking for that page. And I like bookmarks. They remind me of places I have been and things I like.

Did the bin actually get emptied? On several occasions, I've left one of mine out because it didn't get emptied. (And the council lied and said it wasn't put out, when I know damn well it was) On principal, I leave it out for the next collection (and because very occasionally they arrange an extra pick-up, and I want to make sure I don't miss it)

@sueelleker - yes, they do this every week. Theirs and our sit next to each other for collection and there are always squinty, sticking out into the road cos the gunmen just stick them anywhere so I know they’ve been emptied. This makes it even more baffling cos their bins end up in the road (it’s a back street) and folk have to drive round them. Sometimes their bins are scarily close to their cars and the wind blows them over but still they leave them there for days!

Food couriers do this.

Theirs and our sit next to each other for collection and there are always squinty, sticking out into the road cos the gunmen just stick them anywhere so I know they’ve been emptied.

Eek - your binmen are armed? What kind of area do you live in??

I find it baffling with all the knowledge we have at our fingertips these days that most people still believe that they are in effect victims of their "genes".

There's all this stuff about epigenetics being affected by simple lifestyle factors, such as dementia risk reduced by 40-60% by diet and exercise and a few other simple lifestyle factors within most people's control and means. We know about heart disease, even neurological diseases, being strongly influenced for the better with dietary changes and regular movement, etc. Even cancer risk can be mitigated by simple lifestyle changes. The Who is pretty conservative about this, but it is generally agreed there's a fair amount we can do:

Four in ten cancer cases could be prevented globally

But any MN thread about ageing is about the inevitabilty of dementia and years of decline and nursing homes, and people really have low to no interest in hearing otherwise. Weird.

Social contact

is important for many elderly people that have no one so that wee chat with someone at the bus stop or checkout person may be the only people they'll speak to that day.
A bit more patience and understanding wouldn't go amiss

My husband not being able to find his car keys at least twice a day. There is a hook on the back of the front door but rather than put them there, he seems to prefer running around the house like a headless chicken and involve me in the search.

Comment on posts saying they have no idea what someone is talking about, saying "who?" when people post about someone, etc

Majority I see are couples. I don’t think it’s a social issue.

I've never understood people who voluntarily join the armed services. Don't get me wrong - I'm very thankful that they do! I just do not see the appeal because it is so far away from me and my world.

Can you tell us who you describe as ‘very elderly person’?
Is this yet another post bashing anyone over the age of 30?

I can't believe all this anti old people shopping bollocks. Its so entitled and self important to think only 'busy' people should shop when they want.

I beg to differ through voluntary work I meet a lot of elderly people with no one.
So because you see elderly couples you don't think loneliness is an issue🤯

Sometimes they don't have that many alternatives. I would never want to do it, but I get it.
Also, watch the adverts and how they market themselves to young men without careers.

And people may also want to speak to someone other than the same person they see every day and have spent the last forty years with.

Sounds like my late OH! He was forever looking for his wallet, phone, Swiss Army knife even the remote control for the TV, he would have these items in his hand when he moved somewhere and take it with him, the remote control was often next to the kettle! Oddly since he died 6 years ago the Swiss Army knife, that I find very useful, has always been on the same place when not being used.

Taking up smoking. With all that we know now, why does anyone think that this would be a good idea? It baffles me further that two of the most intelligent women I know are smokers. One is the same age as me (44) and the other is a few years younger, so both would have known about the health risks and other drawbacks before they started.

On the other hand, I, an evil boomer, avoid places like Tesco like the plague at the weekend or 4pm-ish not to be nice to the busy people who have to shop then but because I really don't want to have to dodge the family-outing shoppers cluttering the place up!

People who post self pitying and passive aggressive stuff on social media. Pictures of their children in hospital or long detailed screeds about “certain people who do x…” followed by a long and highly identifiable anecdote about another person who has pissed them off.

People who get stressy about confirming social stuff way ahead of time and badger you for irrelevant information. Eg asking you in April if you are going to be getting the bus to a birthday party in September. Fuck off, I will get to it when I can, stop hassling me.

@squashyhat

People who park on pavements and think that because they pull their wing mirrors in or leave the hazard lights on that makes it OK.

I completely agree! There’s numerous cars near me that does this continuously. However this is the main culprit.

Oh that does happen as well people will come in and have a natter with strangers and it's usually a him that's been left at home