At my sons baseball game a lady put her lawnchair down right in front of me and opened an umbrella for shade. It blocked everything. I heard her turn to the person next to her and said quietly, "I probably am in the way." My husband and I folded up our chairs and immediately moved far away, even though we had been there first. He said that should have "sent a message". I think we should have said something, but what? Any ideas?
2006-07-27 07:14:53 · 10 answers · asked by sunnyday576 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You overheard her acknowledge her inconsiderate behavior so you did the right thing by moving which sent her a stronger message than you actually saying something to her. This is what being the bigger person is all about!
2006-07-27 07:20:23 · answer #1 · answered by Shikibeeks 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way to handle this situation is to be polite and say something like, "Excuse me...I really cannot see around you and I would like to watch the game. Could you please do something about your umbrella?" One of two things would happen...you would either get the response that you wanted and she would take her umbrella down with an apology OR she would continue to be rude and you would have to move anyway. By moving without making her aware of her rude actions, you are letting her bully you. That is what she wanted anyway. She should know that YOU know how rude she is. She may have felt badly for her behavior, maybe not...but at least you would have felt better that you got it off your chest. I agree to always be polite, even when you are mad, but that doesn't mean that you let people walk all over you either!
2006-07-28 10:47:47 · answer #2 · answered by Tytania 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know your first instinct was to verbally abuse her..me too.. but what would that have accomplished?? you run the risk of embarrassing your kids.... It is better to be more mature and do something to make the other person feel like an idiot.. I might have said to her--- I'm sorry to have been in your way.. I'll move over here..i can see better here anyway-- I'm not saying you were wrong or anything...but i like to make people think about what they do if it is possible
2006-07-27 15:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did send a message by moving; it does no good to start a fight, especially at a child's ball game. You don't want to be one of "those" parents (like the lawn chair lady!) - you were the bigger person and that is admirable.
2006-07-27 14:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by smartbunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The woman obviously knew that she was in the way, so saying something wouldn't have done any good. It probably would have started an argument, or worse. There is no point in getting into an argument or a fight with someone if it isn't necessary.
2006-07-27 14:20:34 · answer #5 · answered by lj1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moving away was the simplest thing to do. We do need to pick our battles wisely and this one probably wasn't worth fighting. However, this was an opportunity to teach a person some manners and show your children how to handle rude conduct. If no one ever speaks up, people won't learn.
2006-07-30 12:26:22 · answer #6 · answered by oneyed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is really, really rude of her. The only message you all sent is that people are willing to bend and accept other people's crappy behavior!
Easier to say than do but, "Excuse me, we can't see the game now that you have your umbrella up. Take it down, please." Or, "Hey, we are here to see our son, not your daggone umbrella lady!"
Yeah, she knew she was in the way, and yeah, she knew you wouldn't do anything about it, because you didn't.
2006-07-27 14:21:42 · answer #7 · answered by Bethany 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why on earth didn't you set up again in front of her and await her comments. If she complained I would have said something like this: 'Madam, kindly do me the courtesy of listening to what I have to say before you utter another word. Go and fu*ck yourself'........... Then I might have moved far away before the crap started flying... People like her do not deserve to be spoken to politely. There is only one way to make them realise that they are totally wrong..............
2006-07-27 14:24:00 · answer #8 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get used to it, Americans are very rude. But the best thing you can do is ignore their rude actions and kill them with kindness.
2006-07-27 14:50:20 · answer #9 · answered by Dancer Friendly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To add to yours, see question about parking in the dissabled parking areas!
Etiquette!!
2006-07-27 14:38:42 · answer #10 · answered by gina_munro 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋