I admit that I probably have more than my fair share of pet peeves. I could go on and on about people standing right on top of me in the Subway line to the point where I want to turn around and shout, "Get up off me!!" People who pop their gum, crack their knuckles, sit on the same side of the booth when there is only two people.....the list goes on and on. There is one behavior that I would like to highlight today, because I might get into a physical altercation if I don't vent about it.
My goodness, what could it be, you ask?
PEOPLE WHO ARE WALKING ON TRAILS OR SIDEWALKS WHO DON'T HAVE THE COURTESY TO MOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY OF AN ONCOMING RUNNER!
There I said it.
Now I know that everyone has experienced this in some capacity. You're at a busy mall and you find yourself bobbing and weaving for strollers, elderly, groups.....but nobody coming at you seems to have the common courtesy to squeeze out of your way. If you are reading this and thinking that you don't know what I'm talking about, than you are one of those idiots in your own little world oblivious to anyone around you. Shame on you!!
Back to the matter at hand. Now that spring is here and many people are outside basking in the somewhat chilly sun, they seem to have taken their selfish habits with them.
So here is my public service announcement.
Dear walkers,
If you see a runner coming in your direction, that runner is exerting 1,000 times more energy than you. Please take it upon yourself to get the hell out of there way. ESPECIALLY when said runner is already all the way over to one edge of the trail! If I have to swing out onto the grass or swerve over to other side of the trail/sidewalk to avoid you I am going to either stick out my foot to trip you or punch you in the throat. I may even stop you to ask which assault you would prefer to be accosted with.
And I’m done.
I 100% agree with you. As someone who walks 2.5 miles to work every day, I know exactly what you are talking about and find it frustrating as hell. That being said, this isn't just a walker issue. It also goes for runners. Every single week runners 'run us' off the sidewalk and this is after we have gone from walking side-by-side to following each other to allow for oncoming traffic.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten to the point where if I am following Jeff as people are passing and they aren't moving I will just stop and brace myself and let our shoulders clip each other. It's amazing how un-phased so many people are by this. It is usually followed by my saying, 'oh, no that's okay... pardon you'
Why not just walk and run like we all drive in the states, stay to the right....it's that easy. Don't pick the 'wrong way' side of the mall to walk on and then walk like you're driving the streets of london, go with the flow of traffic and ALWAYS GO RIGHT. I too am one that walks strait ahead (I look just over everyone's heads) and I let peoples shoulders clip mine if they choose not to move and are going the 'wrong way'. With running and biking, if you need to pass, move left, and then go back to your right side....just like cars are supposed to do (though A LOT don't after they pass they lollygag in the fast line as if they own it - THAT'S a pet peeve!) Hope you like my two cents....I feel better about it!
ReplyDelete