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My daughter, now an adult, remembers me telling her all the time when she was a kid, "Be aware of your surroundings." In college, she said, "Mom, I remember you telling me that and I am just amazed at how many people are NOT aware of their surroundings."
IDK why the OP thought this was an issue caused only by "middle-aged" adults, however he defines that. I often see a small cluster of teens or 20-somethings blocking the doorway in or out of a store, while they chat away. It forces others to bust through their roadblock, or move on to another store. Why aren't the employees making sure customers can enter? Clueless people come in all ages.
Yes, these are individual habits, not confined to or associated with any one age group.
I can think of one exception. In NJ, and probably everywhere else now, it's illegal to pass a school bus once it puts on red lights and the little stop sign extends out on the road side. Good law. Prevents kids from getting run over.
However, I see all the time, especially with the teenagers, that they just dawdle, shuffling slowly up in the line, reluctantly heaving themselves up the steps. KIDS! The rest of us can't go anywhere till you get your ass on that bus! You are holding up traffic and don't even seem to know it!
I am not sure they are aware, but shouldn't their parents instruct them to get to steppin' up on that bus as quickly as possible so that everyone else can go where they need to go? Can't the bus drivers tell them to get a move on?
And then when I have to say, "Excuse me" so I can get by, they look at me like I'm some jerk.
This is my experience and pet peeve. There are a few who say "sorry" and move aside, but so many others look annoyed and act like how dare I have the audacity to request such an accommodation. Even though they are clearly blocking the aisle or walkway.
In addition to not paying attention, I've lost count of the number of times that people blocking a hallway at work with their conversation actually LOOK RIGHT AT ME as I am approaching and don't make any effort to move. Then look annoyed or surprised when I say "Excuse me" and cut between them (which is usually where the most space is, these are not extra wide hallways) with barely a pause in my step. Come on, you saw me coming from a reasonable distance and still chose to keep your blockade position, and I'm supposed to defer to that like some mousy apologetic wallflower? Or maybe leap over you, or transform myself into a ghost to slip through?
I am very much able to say excuse me. And I don't expect people to drop what they are doing and move for me. I am also very much able to wait my turn. My point is how is that people can not notice at all when somebody is even in the room? Why would you look surprised when somebody wants to use a microwave during their lunch break? And in general, why would you stand in a walkway or in front of things that you would logically assume people are going to use at certain times of the day? People sure do like to make ridiculous assumptions on this forum.
You made the first ridiculous assumption by stating somehow the lack of awareness is unique to one demographic
This is my experience and pet peeve. There are a few who say "sorry" and move aside, but so many others look annoyed and act like how dare I have the audacity to request such an accommodation. Even though they are clearly blocking the aisle or walkway.
In addition to not paying attention, I've lost count of the number of times that people blocking a hallway at work with their conversation actually LOOK RIGHT AT ME as I am approaching and don't make any effort to move. Then look annoyed or surprised when I say "Excuse me" and cut between them (which is usually where the most space is, these are not extra wide hallways) with barely a pause in my step. Come on, you saw me coming from a reasonable distance and still chose to keep your blockade position, and I'm supposed to defer to that like some mousy apologetic wallflower? Or maybe leap over you, or transform myself into a ghost to slip through?
I've experienced that on sidewalks; 3 teens or college students walking side by side, blocking the entire sidewalk, as they chat while walking. I have, on occasion, taken a "damn the torpedos, full speed ahead" approach to this, saying loudly, "Excuse me, coming through! This is a public thoroughfare you're obstructing". I don't care if they get mad, as if the rest of us don't have a right to the sidewalk. WTH?!
I've experienced that on sidewalks; 3 teens or college students walking side by side, blocking the entire sidewalk, as they chat while walking. I have, on occasion, taken a "damn the torpedos, full speed ahead" approach to this, saying loudly, "Excuse me, coming through! This is a public thoroughfare you're obstructing". I don't care if they get mad, as if the rest of us don't have a right to the sidewalk. WTH?!
Then you might have one of them post on cd about how older adults, seniors or boomers always seem to be rude
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