# Modern Manners, aka Standing In The Way **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 19, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681 "2020-01-19T23:16:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TimfromNapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@TimfromNapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimfromNapa)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/61 "2020-01-22T21:08:24Z")
> [@saucywench](#): > > ^:D > Similar to a murder of crows, etc., we could call them… > An aggravation of obliviots. I love it! ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/62 "2020-01-23T02:43:59Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Maybe it would help if there was a universal gesture for “Sorry! I’m an idiot!” that people could use while driving. While not universal, a couple of gestures do seem to be understood by a good number of people: You put your hands to their respective sides, palms up at shoulder level, with a look of regret on your face. The other one that is well known by many sports fans is the open-palmed double-tap on your upper chest, sometimes accompanied by a head dip for emphasis. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/63 "2020-01-23T03:14:43Z")
Brits wait ON line. Or on queue. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Doesn’t matter to me, but would you like your purchase in a sack?\* > > \*Midwesternism. Some Midwesterners say ‘\*BAIG’. \* Makes me wanna \*gaig…\*like those people who say '_melk’._ ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/64 "2020-01-23T10:59:08Z")
The people who should really be put up against the wall are the ones that, in a supermarket with a trolley, stop, walk towards the opposite aisle to look at something while still holding the trolley with one hand, which makes it pivot until it’s positioned perpendicularly and right up to the opposite aisle, and there they stand, arm outstretched, peering at products in a state of absolute obliviousness of the world outside completely blocking a path that could accommodate five or six people walking shoulder to shoulder. Makes one wonder why axes ever went out of fashion, ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/65 "2020-01-23T13:23:35Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > The people who should really be put up against the wall are the ones that, in a supermarket with a trolley, stop, walk towards the opposite aisle to look at something while still holding the trolley with one hand, which makes it pivot until it’s positioned perpendicularly and right up to the opposite aisle, and there they stand, arm outstretched, peering at products in a state of absolute obliviousness of the world outside completely blocking a path that could accommodate five or six people walking shoulder to shoulder. > > Makes one wonder why axes ever went out of fashion, That happened to me once. I said, “Excuse me,” and the lady did not respond. I said “Excuse me,” a bit louder. She ignored me. So I grabbed the end of the cart that she wasn’t holding, lifted it, and moved it out of my way. She looked at me with a shocked expression. I smiled at her and walked through the now open aisle. “Well, you COULD have WAITED!” she snapped. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/66 "2020-01-23T13:27:37Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I’m on a bus that stops at the bus stop. The person gets on the bus and proceeds to stand on the stairs and continue texting, holding up the bus, the driver and all the passengers I was tempted to call 911 and report her for mass kidnapping! > > If that ain’t rude (and illegal) I don’t know what is. There’s also the snowflake who is too special to exit the bus through the exit door like the common herd and insists on blocking the line of people trying to get in the entrance door, usually while it’s raining/snowing/hot/cold outside. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/67 "2020-01-23T14:40:35Z")
People who leave their cats at the check out line and go to get “one more thing” should be banned from shopping. I’ve actually been called out for moving their damn cart and taking the next person on line. “Well, I only left it there for two minutes.” No, it was ten minutes and YOU have to be present on the line to get checked out. That goes double for parents who leave their cart and children on line all by their lonesome so they can get “on more thing.” I can’t check out the items and I’m not watching your children. (“One more thing” usually translates to at least three items, and often more). ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/68 "2020-01-23T16:20:02Z")
This happened to me several years ago at a butcher shop. They had one of those dispensers where you take a number and wait to be called on for service. I don’t remember what number I had, but let’s say it was 74. I waited several minutes until one of the butchers called that number. As I stepped up, a guy behind me yelled out something like “27!” (again, I don’t remember the exact number, but it was much lower). I turned to look at him, and again he yelled, “27!” while holding up his number. I asked, “Where were you when they called your number?” He replied, “I was out shopping. You don’t expect me to wait here, do you?” I told him that if you’re not there when they call your number, you lose your turn. I stepped up to the counter, got served, then went to the register to pay. I don’t know what happened with Mr. 27 after that. I’d have been happy to let him go ahead of me if his number was, say, 72 or 73. I’d have figured he didn’t hear it when they called him, or they’d accidentally skipped over him, or something like that. But this guy thought he could pull a number, leave for some indefinite period, and then come back later and get immediate service, unlike average sucker who actually waits in line with the other suckers. Where’s the limit? Why not pull a number one day and come back another? Why not carry around your own roll of numbers, from 00 to 99, so you can get immediate service at any time? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/69 "2020-01-23T16:31:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > People who leave their cats at the check out line and go to get “one more thing” should be banned from shopping. I don’t think they should be allowed to adopt any more pets, either! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/70 "2020-01-23T16:43:55Z")
CARTS, not cats. Damn bad hand. Though I’m no fan or people who bring pets into the store either. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/71 "2020-01-23T16:52:44Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > … > In the process of ascending, I noted that the entire middle of the escalator was clotted with people. … that was where they stopped. All of them. … > > They did not get out of the way. They stood there, … I simply shrugged, and was disgorged by the escalator directly behind Mom. > > Mom reacted about the way I thought she would, with an “Oh!” and a brisk step forward. Dad looked at me like I’d showed up uninvited for Thanksgiving. Grandma looked at me like I’d yanked open my dirty trenchcoat to expose my naughty bits. The kids stared at me like I’d descended from a flying saucer. > > Dad gave me an indignant look. I smiled at him. Mom frantically nudged through her children to get away from me. > > “Ex-CUSE me?” Dad snapped. > > … Dad looked like he was starting to get angry, and I hoped to put some distance between us before he could work through being surprised. Plus, I felt the presence behind me of another body, and I really didn’t want Guy Behind Me in my back pocket. > > … A > > Behind me, Dad apparently noticed Guy Behind Me, and said loudly, “PARDON ME? What are you people DOING?” > > Guy Behind Me said, “I’m WALKING here,” in a tone of voice that dared Dad to do something about it. > > … The _“I’m walkin’ here”_ guy had the right idea. I’ve been less than polite to assholes too. But I’m more direct. I glare at them and yell “MOVE!” It works. Entitled assholes need to be put in their place more often. Then they might take a hint and stop it. If its in front of their unholy spawn, then it becomes a “teaching moment” too. Win win. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/72 "2020-01-23T16:56:53Z")
I once had a friend who was a cop. When people didn’t move out of his way, he would how them his badge and ask for their personal information to “run a search.” That got quite a few people moving, sometimes right out the door, very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/73 "2020-01-23T16:57:18Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > That happened to me once. I said, “Excuse me,” and the lady did not respond. > > I said “Excuse me,” a bit louder. She ignored me. > > So I grabbed the end of the cart that she wasn’t holding, lifted it, and moved it out of my way. She looked at me with a shocked expression. I smiled at her and walked through the now open aisle. > > “Well, you COULD have WAITED!” she snapped. I’ve done that myself. Sure I could wait ALL FUCKING DAY… but I’m not going to. And I don’t smile. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/74 "2020-01-23T21:16:21Z")
To OP: You mean you actually STOP when some idjit block your way? Just try this. Stop 1 foot _after_ walking through them. Then complain bitterly that they walked into you. It works wonders for clearing your way. Sorry, but I have low tolerance for suicides, and stopping at the foot of an elevator where the other people will be **unable** to avoid collision with you is… suicidal behavior. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/75 "2020-01-23T21:37:40Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > CARTS, not cats. Damn bad hand. > > Though I’m no fan or people who bring pets into the store either. I post here using my cell phone. I type using one hand and use the other to cradle the phone steady (despite being chastised by my offspring for not typing with 2 thumbs), as do many or most of us who use our phones to post. The trick is to actually read your own post before submitting (but even then mistakes slip through). ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/76 "2020-01-23T22:16:40Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > Until the fellow slowly turned left into the shopping center. All right. He was slow. That was okay. I turned left behind him, to get into the same shopping center. > > And then just inside the entrance… he stopped cold. So many cars! So much space! Where to park? What to DO? BRAIN… LOCKING… UP… > > And behind him, I was sitting in the middle of the LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC, with cars in the distance barreling towards me. So I honked at him. In my opinion that’s partially on you for turning too early. You should have waited until the fellow had left room for you on the other side of the traffic lane. This was an important lesson when I learned how to drive, because we have a lot of elderly Sunday drivers here. It’s similar to the other rule, don’t cross an intersection in heavy traffic until you _know_ there’s enough room on the other side. Unless you are in light traffic with a left turn signal, don’t cross the oncoming lane to enter a parking lot until you _know_ there’s room for your car on the other side. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/77 "2020-01-23T22:28:08Z")
This whole thread is giving me Costco flashbacks. Every damn time I go there, I’m trapped behind some 40-something jackass who’s draped over his cart like he simply is too exhausted to walk upright (which I guess is possible; maybe I’m the asshole?) and slow-walking his way, slack-jawed, through the main aisle. Bonus if he stops in the middle of the aisle, leaves the cart and stands there between the cart and the object of their fascination just…staring. It’s like combining all my pet peeves into one trip. If it were just one person who did this, it’d block just half the aisle and you could just shoot around them, but Costco seems to attract EVERYONE who does that. All at once. Usually on a Sunday because for some reason that’s what people do here after church. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/78 "2020-01-24T01:46:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Most irritating is the group of three (or even just two) who are coming toward me on the sidewalk, and who, for some inexplicable reason, believe they are entitled to the entire width of the walk. I refuse to get out of the way, and will usually just stop as they walk up to me. Oh but this really grinds my gears. I’m not a tiny lady, so small that you can’t see me, but neither am I so big that I take up more room than is fair or a burden on others. So if I’m doing my laps and you’re going the opposite way (the wrong way!) and encroach upon my side (and this being 'Murica, I walk on the right), I loudly say “I’m not moving.” The bluntness and no-nonsense tone I give, really emoting how there are no fucks left to give, gets my point across really well in the moment. I get a lot of shocked looks, but no one argues and they all move. If I’m walking with someone, I do go single file when other people are coming and we’re taking up too much room. There’s one paved trail I like with a line painted down the center and I will not budge an inch for people on that path. And I hate escalator stoppers too. I think if it happens to me again, I’ll change up my “I’m not moving” to “I can’t stop moving” as I plow into them. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/79 "2020-01-24T13:16:32Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > …this being 'Murica, I walk on the right Amazing how many people don’t know this. Walk on the right, pass on the left.\* Rules to live by. \*Except sometimes at the mall. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681/80 "2020-01-24T13:28:48Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > In my opinion that’s partially on you for turning too early. You should have waited until the fellow had left room for you on the other side of the traffic lane. > > This was an important lesson when I learned how to drive, because we have a lot of elderly Sunday drivers here. It’s similar to the other rule, don’t cross an intersection in heavy traffic until you _know_ there’s enough room on the other side. Unless you are in light traffic with a left turn signal, don’t cross the oncoming lane to enter a parking lot until you _know_ there’s room for your car on the other side. > > ~Max I guess you might have a point, but it flat never occurred to me that someone would just STOP in the middle of an otherwise empty parking lot entrance due to … mental overload, or whatever their malfunction was. At least part of the problem was that Grandpa was puttering along in no particular hurry, and I was following. Traffic wasn’t heavy, and there wasn’t anything in his way, either in the street or in the parking lot into which he was turning. There was literally no reason for him to stop. So naturally, he stopped. For no reason that I could see. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-manners-aka-standing-in-the-way/846681.md?page=5)