Consideration For Others

[Eve]

Something which has been in my mind recently.

I was always brought up to have good manners, be considerate and respectful to others etc... However, since I've had more mobility problems, and especially now walking with the aid of a stick, I've been really disappointed at the lack of consideration shown to other people.

I've noticed it more and more, and I don't mean people going out of their way or anything, just general respect to others.

I swear though, if one more person shoves my stick etc... I am tempted to decorate it with some festive tinsel (with hidden spikes!).

Seriously though, I am a pretty patient person usually, probably too patient, but is it a sign of the times that people are too focussed on themselves to be considerate to others? It's a shame that some of the lovely people about who are seem to be more of a novelty.

[paddywak]

I've had a disability since 2000 and have to use a walking stick and while I've found some people don't give a dam, and in fact seem to delight in hampering you, there are an awful lot of kind and considerate people about. For instance when ever I use the bus I've never had problems getting a seat in the disability section and the drivers always wait till I'm seated before starting off again.

[Dee Sa]

my husband is reg blind and I now never let him go out alone because its dangerous with people pushing and shoving etc.The last time he was alone he boarded a bus to come home, he paid full fare but the bus terminated at the garage so by rights [ what rights ha ha] the driver should have said the bus is only going to the garage so you have given me too much, so when he said all out and hubby who is always polite asked why the bus driver shouted " are you fu*king deaf as well as blind " and roughly put him off the bus and left , he had to wait until he heard footsteps to ask for help.
We complained as they could trace the driver thru the bus ticket, we did not even get a reply and I sent it recorded.

[Dee Sa]

Chris being behind an elderly couple as you were I think I would have said politely "excuse me pls may I get passed" at the appropriate moment and squeezed thru.
The people that annoy me most are the ones who alight from the escalator and stand there blocking everyone elses path who has got off behind them.

[Eve]

I know what you mean about the invisible thing, I had that for a long time before needing my stick. I guess I notice quite a bit, one of those annoying people who likes to help people :)

I know that some people with disabilities don't help themselves, I did a lot of volunteering when I was younger at a centre for the severely disabled and hospice work and some people give disabled people generally a bad name, it's just a shame the few put people off helping people generally.

I guess I'm quite conscious of being considerate myself, making sure I don't get in the way as much as I can and still looking out for other people etc... and I do do things to help myself, I avoid rush hour wherever possible, tend to be in work before 7am and finish earlier so it's quieter and less hassle getting a seat or crushes to get on, being jossled etc... have changed my routines, all kinds of things.

I am rubbish at being assertive though I will ask if I need help sometimes (though not easily, I like to a least try though sometimes I tend to overdo it rather than ask).

If I was on go slow and was aware of someone behind me where it was difficult to pass I'd have stepped in and let them through though, if I was the person behind I'd have just slowly followed if I had time or politely asked if I could get past.