Why do people insist on talking in Supermarket doorways.?

Question

Why Oh Why do people all gather to have a chat with each other in Supermarket doorways. They are in a store the size of three football pitches or stadiums and its not as if they have just met on entering or leaving the store , its mostly people who have shopped together and where do they stand to have a chat in the shop, in doorways, Why?

Is it some long lost basic need to be seen in the hearded state and to simulate the waters edge I just dont get it.

If you do this please move on there is nothing more annoying than blocking the doorway.

Oh sorry ! there is something more annoying and thats having to listen to every other persons sodding Mobile phone conversations.
Get a life a wait until you get to where you are going and have a private conversation just like we used to do when life was more civilised.

Answer 1

People do it in shopping centres too - just outside the shops door so you can't get in ARGH - if I want to shop I want to shop NOW not wade through chatting people!!!

Answer 2

I've noticed this as well. It happens in offices as well. The doorway is the most likely place where you will slow down, giving you the opportunity to catch someone's eye for a conversation. These conversations probably take place everywhere, but the vast majority of them are not inconvenient, and so aren't noticed by us. I once saw a wildlife documentary where a lioness caught a wildebeest on the Serengeti plain or somewhere. Instead of tucking into her catch there and then, she dragged it to the base of a tree before tearing into it. This is because, while her attention was on the wildebeest, her defences were down elsewhere, so by being at the base of a tree, this offered some protection. Take the entrance to a shop or doorway in an office. While your attention is 100% on your conversation, maybe the door frame acts as a form of protection. Maybe this is some sort of primeval protection instinct....or maybe these people just don't give a toss.

Answer 3

It is probably because one person or group was just leaving the supermarket when the other(s) were entering. The tendency is then just to stop at the point of contact. And most people are almost completely unaware of what is happening around them. I don't know why but I think its a defence mechanism when there is over crowding.

The worse case of this was when I was driving in Ireland, A guy saw a mate while driving across a traffic lights. He stopped dead right in the centre and called him over. They chatted for 10 minutes blocking the traffic in all directions, compatibly oblivious to the horns.

Answer 4

That's funny. "Waters Edge" Funny stuff.
I feel the same way when one person blocks the whole Isle.
Or seem to be window shopping.
I just want to get in and get out.
I wanted to see something like that on Jackass.
Take your cart and put it sideways, so it blocks the whole isle. Then, just be oblivious to people around you trying to get by.

I had an experience where relatives were blocking the stairs. They seen me coming, so I just tried to slide between them to get by. Then, one of them had the nerve to say "Excuse me".
I said "What?" They said you should say "Excuse me" when you need to get by. I told them that they seen me coming, so they should move. They said that didn't matter. I should say "Excuse me" to be polite. I never did and never will.

I don't mind cell phones all that much, I just think they are trying to talk to me.
I heard a comedian. Some guy on a cell said Hi, so he said Hi back. They carried on a conversation for a short while, before he noticed the guy was talking to somebody else on the cell phone.

I overheard this convesation at a gas station.
- Hi Honey
- At the gas station.
- Getting gas
- About 10 minutes
- I Love you to
- Bye.
You can figure out what the other party was saying.

Answer 5

I so agree with all of you. This is a good question. Why do they always have to stand at the doorway or stairway? This is my pet hate. I make an effort not to be at anyone's way, why can't they do the same. Another one is elevators, these nutters have to stand at the end to check out where they want to go never mind the people who are coming up behind them!

Answer 6

This has got to be some deep seated psychological NEED thing to seek attention because they feel lost in the herd. It has been a peeve of mine for a life time...it is rude and ignorant. This does not merely apply to store doors but also gates in parking lots, parks, and any other access/entry way. I am sure that far far away and long long ago some blocked the entry to the cave, hut, and whatever was available.

Answer 7

They don't just stop & talk in the doorways - they stop to check their receipts there, they suddenly realize they've forgotten something & go back & bump into you on the way, & generally do what THEY want to do, without any consideration for their fellow shoppers. It's like those on the High Street who stop in the middle of the pavement to have a chat, or adjust their baby's pram. It's cos THEY want to do something, even if it inconveniences everyone else.

Answer 8

Amigo if you begin to realize all the ridiculous things people do and say during the course of a day you would go crazy.I agree with all that you mentioned and I am sure there is more you can add,but please don't let yourself get irritated with people's actions.Remember,not everyone out there is as thoughtful as you.

Answer 9

i aggree with you fully mate but its not just the doorways its in the shopping isles aswell they just make me so angry the thoughts that run through my head when i come across this you do not want to know. or am i going over the top

Answer 10

Happens anywhere all the time. Just that you remember the times
it happened at the doors, walkways, etc. Probably only a few seconds, but they obstructed you, like a traffic bottleneck, a deadly
blood clot....