What the heck is with people?

[Misanthropical]

We went to Wal-Mart yesterday to get the kidlets their Halloween costumes and to get candy, which we need to get more of, because some how the candy we bought disappeared! The kids and I have no idea how that happened.

Anyway, I'm walking behind my family, because I use a cane and don't move as fast as they do. I had people nearly push me into displays, knock their carts into me and cut me off abruptly, since what they wanted was behind me and I didn't move fast enough for their liking.

How could they not see the cane? Do they dump people out of wheel chairs for giggles? I was tempted to smack them all with my cane, but I didn't want to break it.

By the time we left my leg was in agony from these idiots not having any consideration for those around them.

[Aethian]

My Mom has whacked people with her cane...specially one of the teen age punks who thought it would be funny to pick on the little old lady with a cane. Yea his friends were laughing at him when she whacked him...

[Misanthropical]

I'm not an old lady (37) so it wasn't because they thought it would be fun to mess with an old person.

Heck, some of the people pushing me out of the way were at least 15 years older than me.

[CaroPhoenix]

I vote for whacking them with your cane. Hey, I'd do it if I had a cane! Trust me. Some people just need a whack every once in a while to make them start thinking or something like that.

Either that or say really loudly "Excuse me!? I have a CANE and I can't WALK too quickly. PLEASE take 2 seconds to let me get our of your way before you run me over."

Maybe you'll embarrass them.

[ditchdj]

You know, that kinda sounds like what happened to me at the "Fall Festival" here a couple weeks ago. Parade's starting, people are lining up in chairs they brought from home to watch. I secure my place and tons of idiots just have to walk somewhere, climbing over me to get to the other side of the street, cutting off the parade. People standing in front of me, some with their cellphones glued to their heads. And then some dumb soccor bimbo's whining about how come people wont leave an open space for them to get to the other side.

[Misanthropical]

My cane has pretty blue flowers on it, so I don't want to take the chance of breaking it.

I don't know if some of them saw us park and assumed because I don't have a handicap hanger that I don't really need the cane.

I did ask my doctor for one, but he told me that who ever oversees those sort of things probably won't go for me getting one. I guess I'm not disabled enough.

BossMan, did tell me I could park in the "Medical Need" spaces, which are closer to the building. My job has those for the employees who can't get a handicap hanger, but still have a medical reason to park closer.

[crazylegs]

I did ask my doctor for one, but he told me that who ever oversees those sort of things probably won't go for me getting one. I guess I'm not disabled enough.

We have ex servicemen who lose legs and can't get blue badges, so yer, I can see his reasoning there.

[Misanthropical]

crazylegs, don't even get me started on those who have them who shouldn't and those who don't who should (ie: servicemen and servicewoman) That is a rant for the other board.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I don't understand that kind of rudeness either, Mis. I see this too sometimes when I'm out shopping with Mom - and she'll be in the electric scooter.

If her leg is having a good day, she may be able to walk inside to get to the cart using her cane (and her cane had yellow flowers on it, but the sun has faded it a bit.) If not, I have to go get the cart and take it out to the car.

Either way, people either a) get right in her path and move slower than dirt (and these are not people with canes - they appear able bodies, as they appear from nowhere before you can blink an eye, then slow up. Must be the way they drive)

or b) ignore her when she honks the horn and says "Excuse me" This is when I come in and break out what I call the "Drill Sergeant" voice.

"EXCUSE ME!!!!" and watch 'em jump sky high. Some nearly hit their heads on the roof. They'll see Mom in the scooter, me with a "Mmmm, lunch" look on my face and move.

Then it changes to a sweet smile and an equally sweet "Thank You" from me and they are confused.

Sometimes you just gotta Jeckyl and Hyde them, ya know. If sugar don't work, break out the heavy artillery.

[Gurndigarn]

I was tempted to smack them all with my cane, but I didn't want to break it.

Go for a reasonably thick hardwood cane. Sturdy, with a sufficient amount of inertia behind it. Bonus if you can find one with a metal tip. If you can't find one locally, see if the next decent sized SF/F convention will let you into the dealers' room— you can sometimes find some really odd, neat, and occasionally useful stuff in them, including (frequently) various canes and walking sticks.

And if that isn't sufficient, you can probably find someone who can point you in the direction of quality swordcanes.

[Binky]

if I had a cane I would "accidentally" push it out to the side a little "too" much and trip over the morons that tried to cut in front of me or push me around.

Not my fault they were "too close" to me

[Misanthropical]

I noticed the same behavior, but not to the extent it was Wal-Mart, when my husband and I went to the grocery store.

I was actually rooting for the guy in the scooter, who would just plow through people. You go, old guy!

Gurndigarn, I actually wanted one with flames on it like House.

[JustADude]

And if that isn't sufficient, you can probably find someone who can point you in the direction of quality swordcanes.

Personally, when my knee finally gets to the point I can't do without one, I want a nice, hefty lacquered lignum vitae (aka ironwood) cane with etched-steel cap and head. Who needs the trouble of a sword when you have a stick that hits like a lead-weighted pool cue?

[Cat]

How about a cane with a sword inside?


Seriously, just go Dr. House on the jerks.....whack 'em in the shins

[bunnyboy]

Personally, when my knee finally gets to the point I can't do without one, I want a nice, hefty lacquered lignum vitae (aka ironwood) cane with etched-steel cap and head. Who needs the trouble of a sword when you have a stick that hits like a lead-weighted pool cue?

Dude, I worship you, and love that Idea of a cane, then again, knowing me, I would have the same cane when my left leg finally decides to go down.

and given I have a small bit of knowledge I have with staff use in self-defense applications....mmmmm, my dream cane too.