The Things People Do!

Actually, lemongrove, as Kathcan1 says, our generation were brought up to know that you did not comb your hair, clean you nails, pick your teeth or apply makeup in public!
Having parents of two different nationalities, I had to remember that blowing your nose in company was only acceptable in Denmark if you turned away from other people and held the better part of your handkerchief crumpled up in your hand. In Scotland it wasn't considered necessary to leave the room or turn away when using a hankie.

I distinctly remember being told off as a small child for blowing my nose at the table. You asked to be excused, or managed to contain the need until after the meal.

In latter years I have seen people changing babies' nappies in restaurants - and you can't tell me they couldn't find a toilet, as by law all places that serve food here must have one for their customers' use!

I meant to say layed ( or is it laid?) off, which predictive text altered so irritatingly. I believe it is one of those wonderful Irish expressions picked up from Edna O'Brien novels.

I was toddling along in our town recently and passed a clear sign that stated 'NO CYCLING'. All of a sudden a cyclist hurtled past and I shouted out 'The sign says 'no cycling'. He gave me a cheeky smile and replied 'I know'! So much for signs! However in some ways I admired his cheek - and his smile.

I'm not a mobility scooter user but my Mum, my sisters and my aunt use them. I don't take offence at gulligranny's comments about scooter users because they do occasionally "take out" passer's by and shop stands. Equally, people stop dead in front of them or try to step over them. Consideration on both sides is good but occasionally people misjudge.
I would have no problem with a diabetic injecting themselves in front of me. They are just taking their medication just like you might take some paracetamol with your coffee. The difference is, their medication keeps them alive and healthy. It's bad enough being a diabetic and having to "prick" several times a day and/or use insulin.
I think we must have all been model Citizens when we were younger which puts us in a perfect position to be judgemental.

I think that we can safely say that behaviour in public has deteriorated over recent years. There seem to be so many people who have no regard for others at all. We notice the bad ones, don't we? Whereas the sensible, considerate types just glide by unnoticed.

On a (rare) train journey recently, a youngish woman got on and sat opposite. She proceeded to unload what looked like her entire cosmetic collection, and then did a full skincare routine before applying makeup and doing her hair. I was a bit surprised, but not particularly bothered. However, what I did think was gross, was that she left her used cotton wool pads & tissues on the table when she got off.

I was recently on a bus with my 5 year old nephew. A woman was getting off and her bag hit my nephew round the head, she turned round to apologise but when she saw it was a child she just turned back without saying anything! I jumped up and asked her to apologise and said that as an adult she should set an example, we don't want him to grow up thinking that her behaviour s acceptable. She was very embarrassed and apologised to us both.

I can beat that for grossness Teetime. Last year my dh and I were at a cafe in the park when a young Mum changed her babies dirty nappy on the floor right next to our table. When she was mid change the waitress came and asked her to use the changing facility in the toilet but to our amazement she replied nearly finished now and carried on. It was busy and most tables were taken. She did had another child with her but really she could have taken her daughter with her she looked about 3 so could easily have walked. The Mum seemed oblivious that other diners might not want the cafe used as a toilet. The waitress came around and apologized but no apology from the Mum. My dh did not finish his meal because the smell was bad and we left. This cafe has a really nice big baby changing area because my daughter has used it with my dgs.

What about parents with a group of young children walking along the pavement, who haven’t taught them to step aside in front or behind the parent, to allow a walker to pass from either direction? Obviously I don’t mean toddlers who need to have their hand held, but older kids to keep advancing without any concern as to where you’re supposed to put yourself!! I usually try to just stand my ground firmly with a smile, but often get a glare from the parent. Old fashioned manners and space awareness!!!

Mobility scooters must be our revenge. Knock em down.

I just saw the most hilarious thing in Budapest airport. An old lady came into the ladies loo with an airport trolley containing her small suitcase. She couldn’t fit it in the cubicle so brought it in with her, left the door open and wee’d (I assume!) in full view of everyone queuing up!

In some remoter places in China public loos have no doors on; they are the squat type and people just get on with their business regardless of others. Enough to constipated me for a year!

Oh dear, I remember as a young thing stopping off at a posh seaside teashop with my motorbiking boyfriend. Waitresses in frilly pinnies, nice cakes... b/f (who had just been strolling on pier barefoot) removed sock, picked up a pastry fork & started poking a splinter he'd acquired. Shame!!

That has made my stomach turn over I would have said something to her

I cant stand people picking their teeth with a tooth pick at the table, its a custom in the country where I live, and I just cant look when somebody sitting opposite me does that while I am still eating, its disgusting

We live on a country lane much used by cyclists and it is quite a frequent thing to see one or more park his/their bike(s) at the end of our drive and pee into our bushes in full view from our living room windows. I usually wave to them as they zip up.

I do a lot of walking....and my grouse is bikes ridden at speed, with no lights and no bells/horns...that barge past me with no regard. Usually on my bit of the pavement whilst the cycle track remains unused and the actual road a mystery to these folk!! BUT my biggest ever grouse is quite a modern one...people talking ( not discreetly) on their mobiles ..on buses...on trains...in fact every-bloody..where! Does anyone remember when you had a nice conversation with a person sitting next to you on the bus( or not). Now they discuss all...including their love life ...it’s all out there in full display for everyone to hear. My toes have been known to actually curl of their own accord!!! Had the word DISCRETION completely gone from our psyche ??

Chicken, plant holly bushes, they might think twice then!

Also.... I was taught that you didn’t eat in the street!! Whatever happened to that ??

I am just the right height for:

(a) being hit in the face by rucksacks in shops/in the street

(b) being hit in the face by (mainly university students) taking off and putting on rucksacks when they get on/off the local bus

(c) being hit in the face by the corners of large shoppers slung on one shoulder

And this week I came the nearest ever to being downed by a pavement cyclist. Round here it's the norm to cycle on the pavement, usually at speed. It's not just 'yobs' either, all ages do it. And in the pedestrianised parts of the town too.

In the early seventies, my cousin and I were in what was then Elliston & Cavell in Oxford. It was a very hot day, but we were taken aback by a lady in strappy top reach in her bag and spray deodorant under her arms. Thank goodness it wasn't a food shop!

I was in Debenhams and a girl on one of the beauty counters was obviously bored because she was sitting squeezing her spots. I nearly fell off the escalator.

Alimarb I think you definitely win the 'yuk' prize, and there have been some strong contenders!

It's the complete lack of self-awareness isn't it?

My pet hate are the cyclists on pavements. The roads are really quiet near my home so no excuse whatsoever for not using the road. I have had one or two altercations with them after having to leap out of their way as they came zooming round the corner.

I guess I'm lucky though that I can still leap (of sorts)!

A short while ago I was waiting to be served at a shop in the indoor market. There was on old lady next to me and she had parked her mobility scooter so it was level with the counter. She got served and then went in reverse in her scooter and stopped it as it went over my foot. She then shouted at me to get out of her way, and I said I would if I could, but her scooter was on my foot. She then shouted at me 'Just shift, you stupid old bag' again I told her I couldn't. She then called me an f.....g old cow, and drove away. There was no reason at all for her to reverse, and I was left open mouthed by her bad language. I could have understood if I had been behind her in the queue, but we were both at the counter being served, so I wasn't in her way.
It seems to me that some of the folks with mobility scooters seem to think that the rest of us should know what they are going to do next, and take evasive action.

Teetime
Oh dear! I realise that you were with your husband and not in the best 'position' yourself but had it been me, I would certainly have had a word with one of the staff, possibly the manager, and shown him/her the woman's antics.
I hope that it didn't take the shine off a nice outing but getting pushed on the way out must have been a bit much. She's lucky that you didn't clonk her with a crutch.
It's ages since I was in an M&S cafe. Might go tomorrow (Sat) if this dratted rain stops.