I appreciate that this is the second post of my forties and it's a rant. Yes that scares me too.
I promise you that I'm not yet the grumpy old man that I am destined to become. But the thing is, I'm just back from the cinema, and you know what drives me crazy? People who can't say "excuse me".
You see, I like to sit on the aisle - more leg room, more elbow space, etc. But this does mean that people need to get past me. Here's a typical scenario:
Boy to girl - "Let's sit there", gesturing at seats in my row.
Girl to boy - "Yes, that seems like a good spot", again, gesturing to the seats beyond mine.
Boy to girl - "So, shall we sit there then?"
Girl to boy - "Yes, let's do it"
And then they stand there. They hover in the aisle next to where I'm sat.
Me to girl and boy - "Are you OK there?"
Boy to me - "Yes fine thanks", gesturing towards seats next to me.
Me to boy - "Did you want to get past me?"
Boy to me - "Yes, we want to sit there" points at said seats.
Me to boy - "The accepted protocol in these situations is that you say 'excuse me, may we come past you please' and I say 'of course you may' and then I stand up and let you past". Well I don't say all of this, but I allude to it with a tut and an eyeroll.
This happens a lot.
At the cinema, on aeroplanes, on trains. What happened to a simple "excuse me"?
I'm a nice guy. I don't look all that intimidating. I don't touch (too many) people inappropriately as they pass.
I just like a bit of courtesy.
Too much to ask?
(note to self : do NOT let this become a habit. An occasional rant is fine, but people don't want to hear your moaning self complaining all the time. Stop it now or people will start calling you O.L.D.)
14 commentaires:
I see it every single day...on board my flights....people need to get into the row I happen to be standing in...and they don't say "excuse me" or anything else. They point. Or say "I'm there." Or, most often, they just stand there, stare, and say absolutely nothing. Freaks!
Yeah, the 'I'm there' line - how rude is that? I hate this lack of manners....
I'm the exception that says excuse me.
However, sometimes I don't need to. Some guys just get up and I don't even say 'I'm gonna sit there'Funny really cos that happened a lot in turkey.
Oooh, let me add to your rant.
I bet it was YOUNG PEOPLE! The youth of today, no respect *grumble mumble*
Simple courtesy, the kind you and I had drummed into us as kids, just don't exist anymore. Everyone is all 'ME ME ME' and they've forgotten how to interact around others.
And that'll do on the rant front for a while, you really are startign to sound like an old codger.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes, polite manners...
*evil grin*
I'm always bemused by couples standing in the aisle dithering for ages over which seats to take in barely occupied cinemas.
Excuse moi!
Too damn right. I'm in my twenties and I quick to identify rudeness. If I hold a door open for anyone and they fail to thank me, I roar "you're welcome" at them. This usually flusters the individual ... In this day and age politess is becoming a rarity. I expect a simple thanks, smile or nod when I demonstrate politeness to a total stranger, colleague or friend ... Now, I am ranting.
MP, I'm so pleased that it's not just me who's ranting about this...and it seems to be a truly international problem too....
Feel free to rant .. your rants are ones universally shared and we all enjoy hearing our own mishagases shared/expressed by others .. or maybe you've been Darylized
If I had been Darylized I'd be a far more glamourous creature than the one that I am.....
Maybe THATS how everyone knew I was American on my visit! I kept saying "pardon".
CB - you only ever said pardon after you farted. And not every time at that.
I'm with you .... people are &^$%S!
I like a rant if it's true or funny. This is both. (Even if I've never been to France.)
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