# Public behavior that just \*pisses you off\* (not ranty enough for The Pit) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 22, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052 "2010-10-22T23:34:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/61 "2010-10-23T17:37:37Z")
What really gets to me about the bus is the people who wait until the bus arrives to put their fare money together, then spend 5 minutes digging through their purse (or pockets; not picking on the ladies here) for it. What the fuck were you doing for 20 minutes while we were all standing at the stop?! ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/62 "2010-10-23T17:37:38Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > Well, then I’d have to say your behavior is much more rude that the person with the bag on the seat. And you’d be wrong. As wrong as you are to think that I should stand while you take your sweet time gathering up your stuff. The subway is for everybody, and everybody must make concessions. If you want a seat for your stuff, drive. ---
**Author:** ![Chest\_Rockwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@Chest\_Rockwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chest_Rockwell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/63 "2010-10-23T17:40:13Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > So I guess there really is someone out there who will defend even the most indefensible. And here I thought we could all agree on, “Don’t litter.” Of course “we all” can’t agree on it. If “we all” agreed on it, “we” wouldn’t see errant cigarette butts strewn upon the ground in various locations around town, would “we”? ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/64 "2010-10-23T17:40:48Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > And you’d be wrong. As wrong as you are to think that I should stand while you take your sweet time gathering up your stuff. The subway is for everybody, and everybody must make concessions. If you want a seat for your stuff, drive. Ah, a New Yorker I presume? Ok then, never mind. We don’t behave that way here, so I’m probably safe from your bus time shenanigans. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/65 "2010-10-23T17:44:30Z")
> [@Chest\_Rockwell](#): > > Of course “we all” can’t agree on it. If “we all” agreed on it, “we” wouldn’t see errant cigarette butts strewn upon the ground in various locations around town, would “we”? True, but I figured those people were just lazy–I didn’t think they actually thought they were doing something fine and dandy. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/66 "2010-10-23T18:03:34Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > When I was smoking, I always field stripped the cigarette. That’s where you roll the biodegradable bits, the remaining ash, tobacco and paper, off the end of the filter, then put the filter in your pocket. My Dad taught me that, I’m pretty sure it has something to do with preventing the VietCong being able to track you by the filters. . . It’s been taught in the military, at least since WW1. My grandfather did it, as did his sons, who were in WW2 and Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/67 "2010-10-23T18:14:30Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > I get irritated when I’m about to pull into a space, but instead some rube is pulling through from the other side. I’m with you on the cart not being put away, but please don’t pull through like that. Back out. Fuck that. Pulling through is safer for drivers and pedestrians. It’s also a hell of a lot quicker because I can see where I’m going instead of having to back out around someone’s monster SUV. If it’s possible to pull through, I do it, and I’ll never understand the people who think it’s wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/68 "2010-10-23T18:28:13Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > You and me both, **Chefguy**. You and me both! In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I was in another supermarket with my sister. She was going down the aisle that has the magazines and paperback novels. Two women were standing there, blocking the aisle, and my sister waited politely for a moment, cleared her throat for a moment more, then finally said “Uh, excuse me” and one of the women looked at her and had the _nerve_ to say “We haven’t seen each other in months, and we’re catching up! Can’t you go up the _next_ aisle?” at which point, the woman the rude bitch was talking _to_ said “Well, it is good to see you again, but maybe we can meet up front at the coffee shop” and moved out of the way. > > Now, don’t get me wrong. I, certainly, have inadvertently blocked someone else’s path. But when it comes to my attention that I’ve done so, I move the blockage immediately, _and_ apologize. We all get distracted when we’re shopping, so if I have to say “excuse me” to someone, it doesn’t bother me too much. But _if_ I say “excuse me” and am ignored or greeted with rudeness, yeah, that pisses me off. I’d like to third that. What amazes me is that our social mores have not adopted a simple protocol: When wanting to talk to someone: 1. Move to a configuration where you are not blocking people’s way 2. Talk. In the case of the ladies **norinew** mentioned the issue obviously wasn’t the ladies chatting, but their physical configuration. Some small peeves for me to contribute: 1. Hiking in a group, climbing a narrow path up an escarpment, with a drop down a side, and unsteady, wet footing. Finally the person before me reaches the rim, and _stops to look around_, leaving the hikers him/her behind balancing for dear life (for some reason such steep, narrow paths are usually easier to walk up than to stand still on.) 2. Just the other day: entering a local train, it was filled to capacity. People crowded at the door, trying to get in and narrowly succeeding before the train left - only there’d be enough room for everyone to stand comfortably if one person had not stood in the aisle between the seats, leaving the aisle, blocked by her, unoccupied while we had hardly room to breathe standing inside the door. I wonder that our collective looks did not make her combust. 3. People starting to talk to me without checking if I am on the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/69 "2010-10-23T18:32:48Z")
Bus drivers who carry on extensive conversations with passengers. Bus drivers who talk on the cell phone while driving. Bus drivers who read their Kindle while driving (yes, this happened here and made the news). Bus drivers who think they’re driving a Porsche. ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/70 "2010-10-23T19:29:49Z")
Even worse than people who put their bag/whatever on the free seat next to them : people who do that, but sit on the _aisle_ seat. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/71 "2010-10-23T19:43:34Z")
> [@Khaki\_Campbell](#): > > Even worse than people who put their bag/whatever on the free seat next to them : people who do that, but sit on the _aisle_ seat. _and_ give you the stinkeye as you walk down the aisle and glance at the empty window seat. ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/72 "2010-10-23T19:58:36Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > Ah, a New Yorker I presume? Ok then, never mind. We don’t behave that way here, so I’m probably safe from your bus time shenanigans. I don’t get this. **DianaG** is saying she’d be pissed if you took excessively long to move your stuff just cause you didn’t want to. If you take a bit longer but are moving it as fast as you can, I don’t think she’d be upset. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/73 "2010-10-23T20:28:55Z")
> [@Gestalt](#): > > I don’t get this. **DianaG** is saying she’d be pissed if you took excessively long to move your stuff just cause you didn’t want to. If you take a bit longer but are moving it as fast as you can, I don’t think she’d be upset. I got the impression that the “as fast as you can” bit would be decided by the person standing, rather than the person moving, and that if it was judged too slow the stander would actually pick up a stranger’s bag and plop it on their lap for them. There was also a lot of “I don’t care what your problem is, move your shit NOW” being tossed around. Call me crazy, but this seems intensely rude. ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/74 "2010-10-23T20:56:13Z")
This is what **DianaG** said: > [@DianaG](#): > > If you appear to be exasperated that someone had the audacity to want to sit where your bag is, and take an “I’ll move it in my own good time” attitude, I’m gonna pick it up and drop it in your lap myself. > [@moejoe](#): > > I got the impression that the “as fast as you can” bit would be decided by the person standing, rather than the person moving, and that if it was judged too slow the stander would actually pick up a stranger’s bag and plop it on their lap for them. Maybe you’re right **moejoe** , but I’m thinking **DianaG** would be pissy more if someone seemed to just not care that they were inconveniencing others, rather than if they were legitimately slow movers for whatever reason ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/75 "2010-10-23T22:02:05Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > I got the impression that the “as fast as you can” bit would be decided by the person standing, rather than the person moving, and that if it was judged too slow the stander would actually pick up a stranger’s bag and plop it on their lap for them. > > There was also a lot of “I don’t care what your problem is, move your shit NOW” being tossed around. > > Call me crazy, but this seems intensely rude. Well, I was the one who started the discussion, so I’ll tell you what I meant by it. If you appear to be making a good faith effort to clear your things, and have given me some sort of “no problem”-type smile, the amount of time you take isn’t really the issue. If you sigh and make a face and generally make me work harder than a person should have to for a seat, then I will think you are rude. I had people pretend not to see me when I was standing in the aisle with a cast on my leg while their shit was on the empty seat. That’s rude. In general, I think that, the moment it becomes clear that there are more people entering the train than there are seats, people who have their shit lying on the seat next to them should start to clear it. Why make people beg? Unless you’ve actually bought your laptop its own ticket. In that case, have at it. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/76 "2010-10-23T22:14:17Z")
> [@Gestalt](#): > > I’m thinking **DianaG** would be pissy more if someone seemed to just not care that they were inconveniencing others, rather than if they were legitimately slow movers for whatever reason You are correct. > [@moejoe](#): > > Call me crazy, but this seems intensely rude. Really? Because what strikes me as intensely rude is putting your stuff on the seat, leaving it there until someone actually ASKS you to move it (when, as norinew said, you really should start gathering up your stuff as soon as it becomes apparent that there are more people than seats), and then taking your time moving it because you feel as though you shouldn’t have to hurry to remedy your rudeness. ---
**Author:** ![Chest\_Rockwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@Chest\_Rockwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chest_Rockwell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/77 "2010-10-23T23:38:09Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Fuck that. Pulling through is safer for drivers and pedestrians. It’s also a hell of a lot quicker because I can see where I’m going instead of having to back out around someone’s monster SUV. If it’s possible to pull through, I do it, and I’ll never understand the people who think it’s wrong. +1. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/78 "2010-10-23T23:42:20Z")
I not-quite-pit the owners of the biggest and widest SUV’s or trucks, who always seem to park on the street just behind the exit out of a parking lot. Can’t see a thing when I’m trying to pull out. Arrgh! That’s all I got, now. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/79 "2010-10-23T23:47:29Z")
I own one of those SUVs, and I pit them too, plus panel/mini van owners and pickups. Big problem coming out of narrow streets onto busy thoroughfares. Never seems to be cars on the corners. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052/80 "2010-10-24T04:18:18Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Fuck that. Pulling through is safer for drivers and pedestrians. It’s also a hell of a lot quicker because I can see where I’m going instead of having to back out around someone’s monster SUV. If it’s possible to pull through, I do it, and I’ll never understand the people who think it’s wrong. If you can’t handle operating a vehicle in reverse, then I suggest you tender your license. It’s not safer because it’s an unexpected move. The usual protocol is drive in, back out. And what do you do if the vehicles on the other side are monster SUVs? Still can’t see around them until you’re well into the driving lane. Just take a few more seconds to back out slowly and carefully, you know, like you’re supposed to in a parking lot, and don’t be in such a damned hurry. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-behavior-that-just-pisses-you-off-not-ranty-enough-for-the-pit/558052.md?page=5)