The Walking-Incompetent

As time goes by, I notice more and more how incapable people are of walking. I'm not talking about children - they're bad enough but given their childish hyperactivity, I find that to be somewhat acceptable (although there does seem to be something of a lack of parental control these days). No, I'm talking about fully-grown, able-bodied adults. They really are worse than skittish sheep.

In my first post, I stated that I live in Blackpool. This is true but I have not always lived in Blackpool. I am originally from Scotland. I have lived and worked in many places in Scotland though. One thing I have found to be true is that, regardless of location, people seem to be shite at doing one of the most basic things - a thing most people do on a daily basis - putting one foot in front of the other.

I try to walk a lot. To be honest, it is one of the few forms of exercise I actually do. When I'm out walking, I try my hardest to not inconvenience anyone else. I walk in a straight line, checking over my shoulder before stopping or changing direction. My phone stays in my pocket and if I need to use it for any reason then I will move over to the side of the street so that I am out of everyone's way. Sadly, most other people do not follow the same procedure. They walk in what appears to be zig-zags, changing direction and stopping at random without bothering their arses to check is their action will affect anyone around them - here's the thing, it does! Just yesterday, a woman stopped dead in front of me, having changed direction so that instead of being to the left in front of me, she was directly in front of me. I almost walked into her. Had that happened, she would have no doubt blamed me.

Today has been filled with a different type of walking-incompetence. I say today but this is something which happens on a daily basis. I tend to go out walking with another person, specifically, my partner. When we encounter a group of people, we move into single-file so as not to block the path. I notice that other people just don't do this. They continue to walk in a row, taking up the whole pavement, as if they have the ability to walk through us. Sorry folks but we are actually corporeal and that ain't going to happen. What is the issue here? Why can't people just show a bit of consideration. It really isn't that difficult to move out of the way. It takes very little effort, means that everyone can continue moving and generally makes life a little easier for all concerned.

The reason for mentioning keeping my phone in my pocket is that this is a problem I encounter frequently. People who are so focussed on their phones that they don't even know you're there. Recently, whilst walking to the shop, I saw a guy staring at his phone as he ambled along the street. I thought "he's not even noticed me, I'm going to see how long it takes." He was roughly half a metre away when he finally noticed. He looked up, said "sorry", passed me and returned to staring at his phone. Why bother apologising when you clearly don't even feel like you've done anything wrong.

I know I'm ranting but I find it absolutely mind-boggling. As a child, I was taught how to walk. Granted, some of it was self-taught based on instinct but a lot of the protocol was taught to me by my parents and school teachers. The part which is considered manners; the part which dictates that you should always check whether your actions are likely to affect another prior to taking them and the part about making everyone's lives easier by moving the hell out of the way when people are trying to walk past.

Sadly, this isn't just an issue which affects an outdoor walk. It happens in shops too. On many occasions, I have had to ask repeatedly to be excused by a group of people standing in an aisle of a supermarket, taking up so much space that there's none left to pass. It happens in train stations when people who are boarding stand directly in front of the door of the train before those alighting have had a chance to even get the door open. It happens everywhere where there are people.

Unfortunately, it is a symptom of a much larger problem. Manners and consideration aren't what they used to be. When I was younger, we were taught to be polite to others, to consider their needs and to do what we can to make their lives easier.  Nowadays, people are either so fixated on their phones or so unaware of others for some other reason that they just can't live up to those standards.

If you've made it this far then I assume that either 1. You see something of yourself in this post or 2. You're aggravated by the inconsiderate walkers. If the former applies, please resolve to do something to correct your transgressions. If the latter, I'm sorry but I do not know what the solution is.

I hope that by writing this, I shall make someone aware of how annoying their actions are but I doubt it. Those to whom this applies probably will refuse to acknowledge it. Would I recommend challenging people or pointing out their mistakes? No, you'll be at fault, even if you're not. People are reluctant to accept that they've done anything wrong these days. Constructive criticism is seen as a personal attack.

Sadly, I fear this is just how it will be from now on. So, I shall bid you a good day. Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Cheerio!