Footpath Etiquette

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Thumbpicker

Thumbpicker

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So my wife and I went for a walk around our suburb and when people approach us we go single file and keep left (This is Australia after all)… Well this man and woman were walking towards us today two abreast and the bloke was right over my side and the two of them were taking up the whole footpath and I suspected he was not going to move. So at the last minute when I could tell he was going to hit me I braced with my shoulder and knocked the stuffing out of him. Then surprise surprise… he wanted to make out it was my fault. I said ”mate I couldn’t have been any further to the left do you think I should jump off the footpath while you two walk two abreast you f’er (again this is Australia lol)…” and he walked off. So I don’t feel like a very nice individual in some respects but the entitlement of these people that think people should just jump off the footpath and make way for them. He’ll be nursing a nice bruise I reckon judging by the impact.
 
paulyc said:
You’re a peach.
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So you reckon the wife and I should have scurried off the footpath to let them pass? I mean like a considerate person would go single file and not ignore others - you know situational awareness… Pretty sure he saw me coming and just didn’t give a toss about anyone else. That’s why I thought stuff it - I’ll call his bluff. I’m a greying 71kg 55 y/o this bloke was a stocky/hefty middle aged bloke.
 
Thumbpicker said:
So you reckon the wife and I should have scurried off the footpath to let them pass? I mean like a considerate person would go single file and not ignore others - you know situational awareness… Pretty sure he saw me coming and just didn’t give a toss about anyone else. That’s why I thought stuff it - I’ll call his bluff. I’m a greying 71kg 55 y/o this bloke was a stocky/hefty middle aged bloke.
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Yes, the world is only black and white. Those were your only two choices. You showed him. You’re a real tough guy. Congratulations.
 
paulyc said:
Yes, the world is only black and white. Those were your only two choices. You showed him. You’re a real tough guy. Congratulations.
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What other choice was there - I only had a split second to know if he was going to just hit me or not. Why should I dodge. I was as far left as I could go and my wife was behind me. Time people learnt some basic manners and consideration for others.
 
paulyc said:
Maybe he wasn’t even aware of you, maybe he’s wrapped up in his own world and you knocked him on his ass for it. Congrats, you’re the bigger man.
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He didn’t land on his arse. He might have a sore shoulder though lol So is it ok when you’re wrapped up in your own world on the road and you have a head on?
 
Thumbpicker said:
He didn’t land on his arse. He might have a sore shoulder though lol So is it ok when you’re wrapped up in your own world on the road and you have a head on?
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Different situation. Two tons of steel aren’t involved. You and your wife could have gone two abreast just like them and had to stop (as would they) and have a conversation about manners, or maybe they would have had to walk off the path around you. Either way your point would have been made. You chose violence then came here to brag about it, so I gave you the pat on the back you were desperately craving.
 
paulyc said:
Different situation. Two tons of steel aren’t involved. You and your wife could have gone two abreast just like them and had to stop (as would they) and have a conversation about manners, or maybe they would have had to walk off the path around you. Either way your point would have been made. You chose violence then came here to brag about it, so I gave you the pat on the back you were desperately craving.
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I didn’t want a pat on my back. I wanted to know what I should have done in the face of people that don’t give a shit these days. However you are wrong about my wife and I also walking two abreast. That is plain inconsiderate and there is not time to suddenly do it to prove a point when these things happen so quickly. We see them coming and already form a single file instinctively because you know we are nice and not pieces of shit that are wrapped up in our own bubble when we are out in public. So there. What is not nice is walking two abreast and running people that are your elders off the footpath. Something is wrong with people these days.
 
Thumbpicker said:
I didn’t want a pat on my back. I wanted to know what I should have done in the face of people that don’t give a shit these days. However you are wrong about my wife and I also walking two abreast. That is inconsiderate and there is not time to suddenly do it to prove a point when these things happen so quickly. We see them coming and already form a single file instinctively because you know we are nice and not pieces of shit that are wrapped up in our own bubble when we are out in public. So there. What is not nice is walking two abreast and running people that are your elders off the footpath. Something is wrong with people these days.
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As I said, you showed him. ?
 
paulyc said:
As I said, you showed him. ?
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I didn’t I merely braced my shoulder so it was not going to hurt me as much as it was going to hurt him. That’s not resorting to violence as much as it’s self defence. Now I could have jumped off the footpath but why should I?
 
Didn’t say you should have. But you say you didn’t have time to make a split second choice, but you must have seen this unfolding for some amount of time to make the choices you did make, so idk how you couldnt have stepped up (or back) to get next to your wife to force a full stop of all parties to discuss it like rational people. Whatever. Like I said, you’re a peach. And an elder. I’d think you’d know better.
 
paulyc said:
Didn’t say you should have. But you say you didn’t have time to make a split second choice, but you must have seen this unfolding for some amount of time to make the choices you did make, so idk how you couldnt have stepped up (or back) to get next to your wife to force a full stop of all parties to discuss it like rational people. Whatever. Like I said, you’re a peach. And an elder. I’d think you’d know better.
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Well yes I saw it unfolding but mostly people swerve at the last minute. I didn’t know exactly that he wouldn’t until it was a bit late. I don’t like being nasty however I’ll be damned if I’ll let people walk all over me literally and metaphorically. It does seem to me that more and more people don’t give a shit about manners or consideration these days. I always attempt to be considerate when I‘m out. Yes I expect it from others and think that if they don’t show it they need some education. I don’t enjoy having to be the one to deliver the education hence I put this up here. However you didn’t disappoint me - you think the victim should be blamed and that people should be pushed around and bullied and they should take it.
 
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Are ticks a problem in Aus? I'd lay out an old lady before stepping off the path and having to spend 3 hours tick checking my daughters before bed
 
Aynirar27 said:
Are ticks a problem in Aus? I'd lay out an old lady before stepping off the path and having to spend 3 hours tick checking my daughters before bed
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Not generally. We don't have Lyme's disease here either luckily... Yes you can get a tick though but I might have had one in my whole life.
 
Thumbpicker said:
Not generally. We don't have Lyme's disease here either luckily... Yes you can get a tick though but I might have had one in my whole life.
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It's a miracle that I don't have Lyme's it seems. I've worked outside pretty much my whole life and have worked with so many people that have it. It's a real shitty disease to have.
 
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