# Inconsiderate Assholes with Strollers/Baby Carriages
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [November 22, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153 "2004-11-22T19:28:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/41 "2004-11-23T15:49:07Z")
**AwSnappity** , that _was_ a nice touch, wasn’t it?
😃
---
### Author:  [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/42 "2004-11-23T15:57:07Z")
> [@catsix](#):
>
> The absolute worst thing, though, was at the grocery store when they had the little tyke carts that the little snookums could push around to ‘Help Mommy Shop’. Those things were a freaking disaster, and just the right height to run into the knees and do damage. Thankfully, they got rid of those.
Oh, we still have them! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been whapped in the back of the knees with those things!
Where do you live so I can move there?
---
### Author:  [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/43 "2004-11-23T16:10:44Z")
Mum asked me to take her shopping at the mall here yesterday, and we borrowed a wheelchair for her (she is exhausted easily because of a blood disorder). Now my mum and I get on like a house afire – we can be having a ‘heated discussion’ in a store, and literally have a ‘OOOh, shiny!’ sidetrack. It drives my dad nuts.
So we’re messing about, me steering her around as if I were driving my car, parallel parking her by the fountain so she could read her book whilst I dashed into a tiny shop (or the one time she said, 'oh just leave me outside the store while you get your stuff, and I parked her facing a blank wall. It’s those times when she reminds me what my full name is.) (yes she can turn around, and crikey No! I wouldn’t have put/left her in such a situation if she couldn’t have, no worries.)
Meanwhile, I was doing my best not to take up room, or run over people, excusing ourselves, and you know, people were really kind and made way, or ran to hold doors, etc. Until we came down one of those wide aisles in the main mall, and coming towards us was a couple with a massively larger, double stroller – with the tiny ones lagging along and beside them on short, tired legs, because mum and dad had the stroller piled high with boxes and bags. Poor wee beasties could barely keep up with their parents, and said parents were slowly strolling along, oblivious to everyone else they were bumping in to and blocking, let alone their tired kids…
---
### Author:  [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/44 "2004-11-23T16:35:40Z")
> [@C3](#):
>
> What exactly were they dragging, do you know?
It looked to me like they were dragging a bunch of toddler stuff _plus_ their luggage. Sorry folks, if you’re making the quota with your baby stuff, you need to check your luggage; I don’t care how small it is. There have been times where I was traveling overnight for business and checked my luggage anyway since I had to carry on some work-related stuff.
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> Perhaps I’ve just been out of touch, but what is with these monster baby carriages?
Not only that, but of all the carriages I saw the other day, maybe about 40% were **un** occupied by any sort of toddler or baby. I know it’s nice to have something to carry your purchases in, but the damn malls are crowded enough as it is.
---
### Author:  [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/45 "2004-11-23T16:40:52Z")
> [@catsix](#):
>
> The absolute worst thing, though, was at the grocery store when they had the little tyke carts that the little snookums could push around to ‘Help Mommy Shop’. Those things were a freaking disaster, and just the right height to run into the knees and do damage. Thankfully, they got rid of those.
In a close second, if not tied for first, are those car-shaped carts. They’re wide as hell and impossible to pass.
Robin
---
### Author:  [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/46 "2004-11-23T16:46:14Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> It’s not just the size of the carts, it’s the size of the kids in those damn things. They’re not just infants, some of those kids look like they’re 6,7,8 years old and they’re lolling around in those things like little sultans, pointing at what they want… I wonder how those parents are going to feel when the kid is 28 and still living at home and doesn’t have a job.
Exhausted from pushing a 28-year-old around in a giant stroller?
---
### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/47 "2004-11-23T16:52:14Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#):
>
> In a close second, if not tied for first, are those car-shaped carts. They’re wide as hell and impossible to pass.
>
> Robin
Agreed. I realize the store managers are trying to get kids used to the stores so that they too can become shoppers, but come on!
One more stroller rant: Whenever I’m at the farmers markets, invariably some idiot with a stroller will be right behind me so that when I’m finishing at a booth, I will turn around and practically fall over the stroller. Leave some space, folks, for your kid’s sake and for mine!
---
### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/48 "2004-11-23T19:06:39Z")
> [@Strainger](#):
>
> Note: This rant does not apply to considerate non-assholes with strollers/baby carriages. Just want to head that potential pile-on off at the pass.
>
> God this pisses me off to no end. Why is it that, just because a person possesses some sort of baby transport device (frequently unoccupied except for merchandise), said person feels that he/she is no longer obligated to follow societal rules regarding personal right of way. So frequently, I’ve been subjected to some jackass steering his deluxe SUV-sized baby stroller with DVD player, mag wheels, and DORRANCE #5X STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS into my ankles because apparently, _all must now yield to the baby stroller._ (E.g. coming out of a store as I’m walking by, steering the carriage into my path, etc.)
>
> I tell you what, jackass, that is most certainly not the case, and if you’re going to bump me, I’ll bump back (assuming the stroller is unoccupied, which, as I stated earlier, it often is). Either that, or I’m going to get all up in your face about it, at which point you owe me an apology, not some dorky incredulous look as if you don’t know what’s going on. Dumbshit.
>
> And while I’m at it, if you’re one of these pricks who insists on walking down the middle of the parking lot aisle rather than to either side, there’s a good chance I’ll be using your ass as a hood ornament.
>
> Thank God I can now shop for Christmas presents on the Internets. There’d be a clock tower with my name on it otherwise.
Here in Waikiki, they decided to remove all roadside parking. One of the reasons was that a serious amount of people would jaywalk by pushing their baby carriages into the road before checking the traffic. And these weren’t the Japanese tourists.
---
### Author:  [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/49 "2004-11-23T19:23:24Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#):
>
> Agreed. I realize the store managers are trying to get kids used to the stores so that they too can become shoppers, but come on!
_sniff_
But the only way to take two little ones up to Cub is to rely on their car-shaped cart. Only Costco has carts with two seats up front & sometimes you need some things they don’t sell.
Geez.
Even though I try to be a considerate person, I might at some point run over a toe. Or I could be distracted by a fussy child and not notice that I’ve bumped into you. I’m not an expert at this, just doing my best.
If you’ll forgive me for that, I’ll forgive you for racing me to the door, cutting me off in the parking lot, asking inappropriate questions (all children are “natural”), and not being aware that there are other people nearby who have agendas different than your own.
Those kids who are walking while the stroller fills with packages? There’s a reasonable chance some of them pitched a fit about being in the stroller and INSISTED on walking. Or those could be parents who are trying to fit a month’s worth of errands into a single afternoon because they’re struggling to keep up with the housework. The older kids in the strollers could be wanderers who would get lost if they weren’t strapped in.
Sometimes speed is not the most important thing. For some of us, it’s not even an option any more.
Knows she should’ve just skipped this thread
---
### Author:  [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/50 "2004-11-23T20:50:23Z")
> [@fessie](#):
>
> The older kids in the strollers could be wanderers who would get lost if they weren’t strapped in.
I can understand that too. The example I gave really surprised me though. She wasn’t strapped in, she could easily have gotten out at any time (it was one of those big strollers) and she was draped over the top of the tray, not strapped in, with her skirt hiked up almost above her waist (if she had no underwear on she would’ve been flashing everyone)… Really there was no apparent reason she should be in there except she wanted to be while her mother tried to push her around and carry a small baby in her arms as well.
---
### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/51 "2004-11-23T20:57:21Z")
I haven’t been to the L.A. Zoo lately, but the last time I was I noticed that they have strollers for rent that are shaped like hippopotami, and have about a foot of extra length in front to represent the hippo’s head. So, the parents with these strollers crowd around the popular exhibits like the elephants and the chimps, so there’s like this ‘vacuum’ about three people deep around the enclosures, because these hippo strollers are so darn long.
And most of the kids in them are probably too young to be interested in zoo animals anyway.
---
### Author:  [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/52 "2004-11-23T21:06:10Z")
> [@fessie](#):
>
> _sniff_
>
> But the only way to take two little ones up to Cub is to rely on their car-shaped cart. Only Costco has carts with two seats up front & sometimes you need some things they don’t sell.
> Knows she should’ve just skipped this thread
There there, hon. You’ve got twins? I can’t even imagine. I thought having my one was going to nearly rob me of my sanity. I salute you for being able to leave the house at all.
I strongly suspect that the behaviors being complained about here aren’t things you are guilty of. I think the target of these rants are inconsiderate parents, not parents in general.
Can I get you a cup of tea? Do 5-6 loads of laundry for you?
---
### Author:  [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/53 "2004-11-23T21:09:16Z")
> [@](#):
>
> **auntie em** said:
> Where do you live so I can move there?
Pittsburgh. Haven’t seen them at a single Dirty Bird (aka Giant Eagle) in the past year or so.
> [@](#):
>
> **MsRobyn** said:
> In a close second, if not tied for first, are those car-shaped carts. They’re wide as hell and impossible to pass.
Those suck too. I don’t mind the ones with the big-ass two kid seat attached to the push-side because at least those aren’t as wide as the car-carts.
> [@](#):
>
> **fessie** said:
> But the only way to take two little ones up to Cub is to rely on their car-shaped cart. Only Costco has carts with two seats up front & sometimes you need some things they don’t sell.
Not so much a problem if you park the car-cart to the side of the aisle so that other people can get past. If you park in the middle of the aisle, oblivious to all who are also shopping, that’s different.
---
### Author:  [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/54 "2004-11-23T21:29:45Z")
> [@fessie](#):
>
> Even though I try to be a considerate person, I might at some point run over a toe. Or I could be distracted by a fussy child and not notice that I’ve bumped into you. I’m not an expert at this, just doing my best.
The people I’m talking about aren’t distracted (not by their kids, anyway), they’re completely oblivious to their surroundings.
> [@fessie](#):
>
> Those kids who are walking while the stroller fills with packages? There’s a reasonable chance some of them pitched a fit about being in the stroller and INSISTED on walking.
I didn’t mention kids. The ones I was refering doing didn’t have any kids nearby, from what I could see. Although I could’ve easily missed them in the chaos. Regardless, as long as they watch where they’re going (like I do) I don’t have any beef with them one way or the other.
---
### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/55 "2004-11-23T21:31:45Z")
> [@fessie](#):
>
> _sniff_
>
> But the only way to take two little ones up to Cub is to rely on their car-shaped cart. Only Costco has carts with two seats up front & sometimes you need some things they don’t sell.
>
> Geez.
>
> Even though I try to be a considerate person, I might at some point run over a toe. Or I could be distracted by a fussy child and not notice that I’ve bumped into you. I’m not an expert at this, just doing my best.
>
> If you’ll forgive me for that, I’ll forgive you for racing me to the door, cutting me off in the parking lot, asking inappropriate questions (all children are “natural”), and not being aware that there are other people nearby who have agendas different than your own.
>
> Those kids who are walking while the stroller fills with packages? There’s a reasonable chance some of them pitched a fit about being in the stroller and INSISTED on walking. Or those could be parents who are trying to fit a month’s worth of errands into a single afternoon because they’re struggling to keep up with the housework. The older kids in the strollers could be wanderers who would get lost if they weren’t strapped in.
>
> Sometimes speed is not the most important thing. For some of us, it’s not even an option any more.
>
> Knows she should’ve just skipped this thread
I’ll just assume that “you” applies to other people and not me, since I don’t cut off, race, or ask dumb questions like that (and I totally agree–no one has any business asking where the kid came from–it’s a stupid inquiry and no one’s business anyway).
What is Cub?
I was speaking here specifically of Albertson’s. I really have no experience with the big bulk stores like CostCo or others. I should have clarified.
---
### Author:  [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2004, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/56 "2004-11-23T23:41:39Z")
It’s not that there aren’t a lot of inconsiderate turd burglars out there. There are. What always irritated me were the parents who thought the world was their child’s field trip & we should all provide a narrative for their educational enlightenment. But then once you’ve crossed over into Parentville, things look a lot different.
**Cranky** you made me laugh. You’re right, just getting out of the house is a major accomplishment.
**Spectre** the point of the zoo (at least in Chicago) has very little to do with the animals. It has to do with the numerous benches, handy snackbars, and wide, easily accessible lawns where one can change a diaper at a moment’s notice.
---
### Author:  [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/57 "2004-11-24T00:54:05Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#):
>
> What is Cub?
>
> I was speaking here specifically of Albertson’s. I really have no experience with the big bulk stores like CostCo or others. I should have clarified.
Cub Foods is a grocery store, probably comparable to Albertson’s. Though I wouldn’t know, because in my entire life of living in the Midwest (Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) I’ve never seen an Albertson’s. Or a Kroeger’s.
---
### Author:  [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2004, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/58 "2004-11-24T04:28:56Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> [That](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-deadly21nocharges112104nov21,1,5516640.story) recently happened here.
>
> Some self-important college student was on her cell phone, ran a red light, and hit a mother walking home her five-year-old from school with her little sister in the stroller.
And did you see this bit from the story?
> [@](#):
>
> Yamilka Velez and her two little girls were trying to cross Goldenrod Road late last month when an SUV blew threw a red light.
>
> Anjelica Velez, 5, and Victoria Velez, 2, were killed. Victoria’s stroller lay crumpled on the side of the road.
>
> **Yet the driver – who was talking on a cell phone, witnesses told police – might face only a traffic ticket.**
Fuck that shit.
We’ve got to start getting tough on people who either can’t drive, or are too fucking selfish to pay attention to anything on the road.
---
### Author:  [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/59 "2004-11-24T04:32:28Z")
A TRAFFIC TICKET???!!
That’s all she might get for running over two children? That’s insane!
---
### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153/60 "2004-11-24T22:22:59Z")
> [@Strainger](#):
>
> Note: This rant does not apply to considerate non-assholes with strollers/baby carriages. Just want to head that potential pile-on off at the pass.
>
> God this pisses me off to no end. Why is it that, just because a person possesses some sort of baby transport device (frequently unoccupied except for merchandise), said person feels that he/she is no longer obligated to follow societal rules regarding personal right of way. So frequently, I’ve been subjected to some jackass steering his deluxe SUV-sized baby stroller with DVD player, mag wheels, and DORRANCE #5X STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS into my ankles because apparently, _all must now yield to the baby stroller._ (E.g. coming out of a store as I’m walking by, steering the carriage into my path, etc.)
>
> I tell you what, jackass, that is most certainly not the case, and if you’re going to bump me, I’ll bump back (assuming the stroller is unoccupied, which, as I stated earlier, it often is). Either that, or I’m going to get all up in your face about it, at which point you owe me an apology, not some dorky incredulous look as if you don’t know what’s going on. Dumbshit.
>
> And while I’m at it, if you’re one of these pricks who insists on walking down the middle of the parking lot aisle rather than to either side, there’s a good chance I’ll be using your ass as a hood ornament.
>
> Thank God I can now shop for Christmas presents on the Internets. There’d be a clock tower with my name on it otherwise.
We call the big ones, **Dreadnaughts** , after the battleship. 😃
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153.md?page=2)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconsiderate-assholes-with-strollers-baby-carriages/276153.md?page=4)