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Original poster

Strangers not social distancing in lifts

74 replies

TobysMum16 · 08/07/2021 14:52

Just got back from a morning shopping in my local town centre and am reeling.
There’s posters everywhere in the centre asking people to social distance / mask wear etc and specifically only 2 households at a time in the lifts.
My friend and I were waiting on a lift to take us up a level to the car park. We both had prams with us so couldn’t use the stairs or escalators. We got on and two other (seemingly able bodied adults) adults tried to push in with us. We politely explained that lift was full and as it was a limit of two households. We then got an earful from both people, telling us to “fuck off” that we were being stupid as everyone’s been vaccinated now (our babies hadn’t of course). Was pretty awful to be honest!
Slightly worried this is a sign of things to come as once restrictions are lifted they will be lots of people who just want to forget anything happened and others (like me) who would appreciate some extra space.

OP posts:
CrouchEndTiger12 · 08/07/2021 14:53

Seriously?

Stay in the house then.

MrsLCSofLichfield · 08/07/2021 14:54

They sound like rude twats, as do some of the other posters on here. Hope you and your babies stay well, OP Flowers

UserAtLarge · 08/07/2021 14:57

On the basis that wandering round the shopping centre is significantly more risky than being in a lift for 30 seconds with 2 extra people; this isn't one I could get worried about. It's a PITA waiting for lifts; I can understand them being impatient.

I do agree some people will want to continue to socially distance and others won't. I think that means in practice that socially distancing people will have to avoid situations where they will be put in uncomfortable (for them) situations.

dementedpixie · 08/07/2021 15:01

Being in a lift is more risky than being in a large airy shopping centre. It is an enclosed space with little ability to stay apart so I disagree with you @UserAtLarge.

grapewine · 08/07/2021 15:04

They shouldn't have cursed, but waiting for lifts is a pita. I don't blame them being annoyed.

burritofan · 08/07/2021 15:05

Stay in the house then
So the only people allowed out are rude aggressive cunts who can’t wait two minutes for a lift? Lovely.

sleepwouldbenice · 08/07/2021 15:05

@MrsLCSofLichfield

They sound like rude twats, as do some of the other posters on here. Hope you and your babies stay well, OP Flowers
This
dementedpixie · 08/07/2021 15:07

@grapewine

They shouldn't have cursed, but waiting for lifts is a pita. I don't blame them being annoyed.
The lazy gits should have used the stairs then!
Topseyt · 08/07/2021 15:14

This isn't something I could get het up over. It has happened to me, it doesn't bother me.

They shouldn't have sworn at you, but I can see why they were frustrated. You need to get used to this again now. Why will the 19th of July be any different from today? It's only an arbitrary date.

I am relieved that the silly and arbitrary restrictions are (fingers crossed) coming to an end soon. No, I don't go around telling people who wish to abide by them still to fuck off. I'm looking forward to the end of this bollocks.

NearlyAlwaysInsane · 08/07/2021 15:26

Their frustration was simple selfishness. Two prams in a lift take up a lot of space, it's common courtesy to be willing to wait. But they clearly had massive egos and loads of self-esteem issues so that your comment triggered some sort of 'you talking to ME?' moment, perhaps, and you got to see the sort of negativity they carry around in their heads all day. Suckers.

unstablemabel · 08/07/2021 15:28

Reeling is a bit dramatic, I dread to think how you’d react in a challenging situation if you’re reeling from this non event.

People are sick and tired of restrictions, I’ve really noticed a decline in people wearing masks and social distancing but with restrictions easing soon who can blame them. If your so anxious about being exposed to others I would stick to online shopping.

Overthebow · 08/07/2021 15:48

They shouldn’t have been rude, and as restrictions are still in place they should have waited. But from 19th July there will be no need for the to wait anymore, people need to get used to the idea that people won’t be distancing anymore and those that want to keep distancing will have to avoid places where this can happen.

SmidgenofaPigeon · 08/07/2021 15:49

Reeling?!

BoaCunstrictor · 08/07/2021 15:52

They should've obeyed the requirements of the venue today and stayed out of the lift. So today you were 100% in the right.

Going forward though, post 19th July there are likely to be fewer venues asking customers to do this, and people will be quite within their rights not to want to go to any inconvenience to cater to your desires: you have said nothing to suggest this was a need. If I were you I'd prepare myself for that.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/07/2021 15:52

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Reeling?!
Well I'm not sure I would be totally chill about strangers telling me to fuck off in front of my baby. Maybe you would be but it's not great.
wasthataburp · 08/07/2021 15:54

"Reeling" ?! I mean, over reaction much?

If that's all you have to worry about then I envy you

SmidgenofaPigeon · 08/07/2021 15:58

Swearing at you was out of order.

But they were wearing masks I presume and it would have been mere seconds in the lift.
I do think you need to calm down.

ChocOrange1 · 08/07/2021 16:01

They were in the wrong to be so aggressive.

I think social distancing has mainly gone out the window and the majority of people wouldn't be bothered about someone getting in the lift next to them (I wouldn't mind) BUT if someone says that they would like to maintain social distancing, that choice should be respected.

However, once restrictions are lifted then maybe you should avoid shopping centres and lifts as people won't be social distancing when they don't have to.

Scottishgirl85 · 08/07/2021 16:10

I don't know anyone being this cautious anymore, OP. And I think it's been 1 metre plus masks for quite some time now? We are less than 2 weeks from no more distancing, and cases are about to sky rocket. They shouldn't have sworn, but also consider your anxiety levels and think about if you may need help when we move to next phase.

HelloMissus · 08/07/2021 16:17

They shouldn’t have sworn but you are going to have to get used to social distancing disappearing very soon.

thisisnotmyllama · 08/07/2021 16:18

They are in the wrong, but please remember that not all disabilities are visible. Someone who appears ‘able bodied’ when just walking around might have a problem with stairs. This is the case for me and I’ve been glared at in lifts (before Covid) by wheelchair users and buggy-pushers. It’s frustrating. This doesn’t excuse the way these people behaved in any way, but their actual need to use the lift may have been just as great as yours.

NotMyCat · 08/07/2021 16:22

@thisisnotmyllama I think that's what people will have to start realising the other way round too - if someone asks someone to keep their distance that there's a reason for it, maybe CEV and still higher risk etc
I got a lecture from a man in the doctors about how a "fit healthy young woman like me" shouldn't be bothered about distancing Hmm

lynsey91 · 08/07/2021 16:25

Me and DH stayed in a hotel last week and the lift there had a notice saying the same and everyone abided by it.

I don't want and will not share a lift with others at the moment. After the 19th July I probably just won't go anywhere where I need to use a lift.

Personally I am sick of people not social distancing, not wearing masks or not wearing them properly and this has been throughout the pandemic.

We went to the cinema last night and there was only us and another couple. When I booked the seats it showed 2 seats booked in the second from front row. I booked the very back row as I can't sit much closer to the screen without getting a migraine.

No sign of the other couple until the film had actually started and then the come in, look around and come and sit in the same row as us! Ok quite a few seats along but really. Then the morons talked all the way through the film

UserAtLarge · 08/07/2021 16:27

@dementedpixie

Being in a lift is more risky than being in a large airy shopping centre. It is an enclosed space with little ability to stay apart so I disagree with you *@UserAtLarge*.
But your average lift journey last less than a minute. This wouldn't even get you picked up as a contact by Test and Trace.
Backhills · 08/07/2021 16:28

I'd be reeling if I'd been told to fuck off by a stranger too, but yes, I do think you'll have to get used to sharing the lift if you want to go to shopping centres.