# It's Time For My Annual Rant About Walking In Malls **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 27, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287 "2011-11-27T23:51:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/21 "2011-11-28T05:03:18Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Umm hmm. Because you are too cheap to join a gym, you are shamelessly co-opting a social environment designed for ambling, window-shopping, enjoying time with family and friends and actually spending money at the facility. And you are giving orders about the proper use of the mall? Try reading my post again. This time, read slowly and for comprehension. Feel free to move your lips if that makes things easier for you. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/22 "2011-11-28T05:07:29Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Try reading my post again. This time, read slowly and for comprehension. Feel free to move your lips if that makes things easier for you. I was siding with you. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/23 "2011-11-28T05:14:12Z")
> [@emcee2k](#): > > Why do people go to the mall? Is there an upside I’m not aware of? The mall is where the Apple Store is. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/24 "2011-11-28T05:28:30Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > We were in Market Mall (Calgary) this afternoon and ran in to the people described in each one of your points. I think everyone went to the mall because of the hurricane winds outside. Are you following me? Market Mall is where we were walking this afternoon. 🙂 > [@mhendo](#): > > No shit. > > I was onboard with quite a few of the OP’s complaints, but if people are getting in her way because she’s power-walking though an indoor mall, then she’s got nothing to bitch about.\ No, we’re not power-walking; we’re just walking and shopping. I agree that you can’t treat a mall like an indoor walking track at the gym, but when we’re all crammed in there together, you can’t act like it’s your own private living room, either. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/25 "2011-11-28T05:30:59Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > I was siding with you. Really? OK. I guess i thought that you were thinking that i was…Oh, fuck it. I can’t be bothered explaining my thought process. Please ignore my previous snarky comment, then. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/26 "2011-11-28T06:35:14Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Thank you for the effort, but I fear this is a lost cause. People will spread out to fill all the available space, leaving no room for anyone to get around them. It’s not only that, it’s that some people seem to occupy more space than physics and geometry can account for. I swear, I’m fascinated by this. I come across people on sidewalks all the time that somehow can command the entire width of the sidewalk to themselves, even though they physically occupy maybe 2 feet, at most, of horizontal space. There’s this subtle, unpredictable zig-zagging they do that makes getting around them nearly impossible without having to body check them. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/27 "2011-11-28T12:24:27Z")
I avoid malls pretty much all of the time, but when I’m in retail or grocery establishments, I say most of your items apply, especially 2, 3, 5, & 8. In fact, those things apply pretty much anywhere you might find lots of people - including museums, parks, trade shows, roller rinks… It comes down to situational awareness and GETTING OUT OF THE WAY!!! I’d run into similar idiocy at work - the corridor is not a conference room - don’t stand in the middle talking to your boss/minions! _grrrrrrrrr_ Society would be so much nicer if there weren’t so many people. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/28 "2011-11-28T13:10:05Z")
[How To Walk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1vGlBGzLjE) ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/29 "2011-11-28T13:22:54Z")
Mostly I agree with you, but these two don’t always go together: > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > 1. The mall at Christmas is not the time for your toddler to practice her walking. > 2. Consider leaving the baby SUV at home - the malls are crowded this time of year, and a 10 pound baby really shouldn’t take up as much space as a Smart car. A toddler needs a larger, sturdier stroller, which may take up more room. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/30 "2011-11-28T13:54:02Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > How To Walk in Malls At Christmas Time > > (And all the time, but it’s more important at Christmas when the malls are crowded) > > 1. Walk on the right, pass on the left. > > 2. There are other people in the mall. I know this is a BIG surprise, but when you come to a sudden stop or suddenly veer off, there are other people around you who you probably just cut off. > > 3. Cell phones and blackberries are a fact of life; take it off to the side, though. Wandering slowly down the middle of the concourse is not cool; neither is stopping dead in the middle of the walkway to take a call or text. > > 4. The mall at Christmas is not the time for your toddler to practice her walking. > > 5. Hey, it’s great that you just met some old chums that you haven’t seen in ages! Take it off to the side, though - you’re blocking the entire walkway. > > 6. Entering the flow of walkers is like merging onto a highway - you have to look where you’re going and you don’t have right-of-way to just barge in. > > 7. Consider leaving the baby SUV at home - the malls are crowded this time of year, and a 10 pound baby really shouldn’t take up as much space as a Smart car. > > 8. When you go shopping with a whole gang of you (plus small, short-legged slow ones), consider NOT walking six abreast, slowly, and blocking the entire walkway. > > There - got that off my chest again for another year. 🙂 Meh. Yesterday I was at Market Mall with my newly walking toddler, his SmartCar sized stroller, my 66 year old mother who likes to stop with said toddler to look at every shiny thing, and comment on it at length, and I’m pretty sure I took a call or two from my husband. FWIW, we made an effort not to block people although I’m sure at sometime we did. We also made an effort to be friendly to the other shoppers because it is actually Christmas time and it probably wouldn’t hurt to be kind to other people a little. If you were there huffing and puffing because we were slowing the progress of your mall walk…well, we didn’t notice you. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/31 "2011-11-28T14:24:56Z")
I usually end up making smart assed evil comments like “Apparently you’re the only one in your Universe”, or “have you noticed there are other people in the world?”. And then feeling some slight remorse about it. But not enough to stop me from doing it the next time around. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/32 "2011-11-28T15:51:06Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I usually end up making smart assed evil comments like “Apparently you’re the only one in your Universe”, or “have you noticed there are other people in the world?”. And then feeling some slight remorse about it. But not enough to stop me from doing it the next time around. I would like to tell these people that they lack social tact. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/33 "2011-11-28T16:19:27Z")
I hate any kind of shopping with my mom, because she thinks it’s fine to violate rules 1 2 3 5 6 and 8 on a regular basis. They should install rearview-mirrors on grocery carts. Seriously! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/34 "2011-11-28T17:16:17Z")
I’m starting to understand why crowded places are such a pain in the ass - so many people think they’re alone in there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/35 "2011-11-28T17:34:51Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > I would like to tell these people that they lack social tact. Hey, the OP don’t give a fuck about their _feelings_, he just wants 'em to move faster. Social tact, meh. Social _tach_, yay! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/36 "2011-11-28T17:40:58Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’m starting to understand why crowded places are such a pain in the ass - so many people think they’re alone in there. 🙂 Including you, apparently. I mean, you go shopping during one of the busiest shopping days/weekends of the year and then bitch that the other shoppers aren’t comporting themselves in the way which is the most convenient for _YOU_? Perhaps they find your bustling around, pushing past to be obnoxious and self important, acting like you’re the only person who deserves to be in the place. Seriously, if you want to have your shopping unhampered by other shoppers, do it online. Heck - today is Cyber-Monday - you can probably get some good deals. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/37 "2011-11-28T17:58:47Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Including you, apparently. > > I mean, you go shopping during one of the busiest shopping days/weekends of the year and then bitch that the other shoppers aren’t comporting themselves in the way which is the most convenient for _YOU_? Perhaps they find your bustling around, pushing past to be obnoxious and self important, acting like you’re the only person who deserves to be in the place. \ Project much? We were in the same mall yesterday - did you notice me being a complete asshole and doing all the things you have ascribed to me? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/38 "2011-11-28T17:59:39Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Project much? We were in the same mall yesterday - did you notice me being a complete asshole and doing all the things you have ascribed to me? Well, I certainly noticed a few people bustling around, acting self important and like they owned the place. Based on the OP, perhaps you were one of them. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/39 "2011-11-28T18:28:50Z")
I’m not a mall walker, but I am one of those people who only goes to the mall when they know what they want and where to get it from. Mastering the power walk weave between people is essential! I would love to shop online more, but Canadian retailers suck at online shopping compared to the States, for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287/40 "2011-11-28T20:56:22Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Well, I certainly noticed a few people bustling around, acting self important and like they owned the place. > > Based on the OP, perhaps you were one of them. No, I wasn’t. Believe it or not, I act quite polite in malls, and save up my ranting for here. **kushiel** , they really aren’t great. We tried to buy a bow-tie from Sears for Halloween, and after getting a regular tie twice and the staff at Sears being completely un-interested in the problem, I’m losing my interest in shopping Sears online, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-my-annual-rant-about-walking-in-malls/604287.md?page=3)