Awhile back I was at the airport, standing in line at the outdoor baggage check-in. My large, bright RED suitcase was standing up with my laptop (secured in a laptop carry case) on top of it. There was a rather errr, ahem, large woman in line next to me. She finished checking her bags and was waving her hands around animatedly talking with her husband. During her apparent excitement her very large rear end bumped REALLY hard into my laptop sending it flying with a loud thud as it landed. She turned around, looked at me standing there with my mouth open, looked down at my laptop, and said woops! and just walked away. No apology, nothing. My suitcase was right next to me! My attention was mildly diverted towards the skycap or I would have grabbed it. I didn't have time at the moment to chase her down and plug the laptop in to see if still worked. Fortunately, it works fine but a large chunk broke off the corner. What would you have done? Figured it was your own fault or chased her down?
2007-09-06 16:01:34 · 11 answers · asked by bijou 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's sad that common courtesy is a lost art.
Accidents do happen - it's too bad that most people don't realize how far a sincere apology can go.
Chasing her down probably would have done no good - if she wasn't the kind of person that would have apologized she probably wouldn't have been the kind of person to take too kindly to being called out on her rudeness.
I probably would have said something at the time of the incident.
Something like "whoa I hope my laptop is okay!" - maybe thinking that she would get the hint that what she knocked to the ground was something of importance and that she should be a bit more concerned and offer a bit more than a "woops".
I know how busy and bustling airports are though so I can't say as I blame you for not thinking to say something at the moment in which it happened.
I also know what it's like to be in a situation like that where you later realize that you should have said something but didn't.
Glad that your laptop still works but that stinks that it's got a chunk missing of the case now!
2007-09-06 16:13:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ann Ominous 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would agree with others who have said it would be best not to chase her down.
What she did was extremely inconsiderate. Unfortunately that is not a hanging offense. She should have stuck around and offered to pay for any needed repairs to the laptop.
But accidents do happen, and the laptop can probably be repaired, if you want to get it done.
Personally, I would either carry my laptop or make sure it was safely stowed where it would not fall down or be knocked down. Hindsight is 20/20 but we can always learn from a bad experience.
2007-09-06 16:47:31 · answer #2 · answered by Warren D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on your description I would have moved away from the woman in anticipation of something like this. Better safe than sorry. Obviously this woman did not care about your laptop so chasing her down would have been a waste of your time. Just use this lesson the next time you travel...
2007-09-06 16:19:46 · answer #3 · answered by hi5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She most likely was so embarrassed that she didn't really know what to say about it. Chasing her down wouldn't have gained anything but trouble most likely because even as embarrassed as she may have been, she did her best to avoid confrontation about it or she would have tried to pick it up and wait to see if it had been broken. Sometimes we just have to go through trials like that to help us get street smart. I'm betting you won't leave your laptop sitting up on something like your suitcase ever again which means you have learned a good lesson. Pat yourself on the back and let it go. Scripture says if you forgive others, God will forgive you. That means if you don't forgive others, then he won't forgive you. We all have things that we have done, some of them just as awkward as this incident that we need forgiveness for. Forgive her in your heart and let it go. Put some superglue on the piece and stick it back on and then put some decoration there to cover the crack up.
2007-09-06 16:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by 'Sunnyside Up' 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would not have been in an airport without having a hold on my laptop in the first place. There is no way that i would just have it sitting there on top of luggage. Not my laptop! Take it as a lesson.
2007-09-06 17:00:17 · answer #5 · answered by zaytox0724 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know her and there is damage then ask her to pay. If you do not know her then forget it.
Your fault just as much as hers. not a good idea to put a laptop on top of something where people move around a lot.
Just one of those little things that happen.
2007-09-06 16:25:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds effective. i think of optimum laptops ought to take being dropped from somewhat 4 ft.. dropping it down an entire flight of stairs would be a distinctive count form form ! in effortless terms save a watch on it.
2016-12-16 13:31:32 · answer #7 · answered by marcinko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I mean accidents happen. As much as that sucks, I doubt she would have given you money even if you had chased her down. I would have done the same thing as you. At least it works okay.
2007-09-06 16:19:18 · answer #8 · answered by Melissa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the laptop had been broken, who do you think would have been more responsible, you or her?
What would you have done if you had caught her? Rammed your face repeatedly into her husband's fist?
In your case, I would just be thankful that the damage wasn't worse, and take it on board as a lesson for next time.
Kinda sucks i know...
2007-09-06 16:10:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
if it was me i probaly would want to chase her down and yeall and scream maybe even smacker her around a bit. but realisticaly i would have do what most people would have done and thats to do exactly what u did. but if you believe in carma then u know she will get hers.
2007-09-08 10:45:28 · answer #10 · answered by bob s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋