I use a mobility scooter?

Question

yesterrday at a crowded store, it was my turn at the deli counter. the man was waiting on me. as I moved along the counter, choosing things an elderly man with his cart was standing in my way. I politely told him I could not get passed to see what was behind the counter. he moved back about a foot. I told him I still couild not pass him, He says i am blind. I said ok can you move back please he yells i am at the end of the counter and you have plenty of room. I was not able to get where I needed to be to finish my order. I asked the counter man to send for the manager who came and moved the old man and his cart out of the way. The old man screamed and cursed me out. My question, did I do anything wrong. Could I have done qnything not to have a scene there?

first thing I did was tell him I was in a cart. The store gives numbers. 5 people between my turn and his. The store would not allow me to let him go ahead of me. I wqas in the middle of ordering when he got into my way entering the line from the wrong way. I sent for the manager as the people behind me weree telling me to move ahead and getting very impatient the clerk asked the guy to move and he would not get out of the way.

Answer 1

No i think the guy had issues with being asked to move ,aside to let you through.Or he didn't care so moved a bit as a smart gesture . He may think twice next time.

Answer 2

Sounds like this man could use a refresher course for manners no you did NOT do anything wrong. You deserve to be at the deli counter as much as anyone else and yes you did the right think by getting assistance all this could have been prevented if the crotchety old man would have moved over in the first place, in short he got EXACTLY what he deserved and screaming and cursing even my 8 year old nephew knows not to do those things when people do that and I have had people curse at me over the phone I say have a nice day and I have also said Peace be with you and God bless you and walk away. I am proud of you for sticking up for yourself and not backing down, he was probably mad and pissed off that he thought he could bully you as you were in a scooter and did not plan for you to be assertive and fight back. I am very proud of you:)

Answer 3

Any particular reason you sent for the manager, other than to cause a scene? Were you, and/or the employee waiting on you unable to say something to resolve the situation? Obviously the blind person had no idea you were in a cart, and either you or the employee could have told him that.

You also could have allowed him to go first, then you would have had plenty of room to see and get the cart through.

Answer 4

Sounds like you want people to understand your circumstances yet you did not understand his considering he was blind and needed directions Blind people use touch as their sense of knowing where they are he didn't know if someone was behind him or who would be to the sides or even when you leave if he could move forward. You wanted him to step back into a place of the unknown remember he is BLIND I would think you would understand his insecurities better than anyone else in the line considering you condition Yet you chose to treat him with disregard
The manager had no problems because he talked to him and assisted him with directions. You could have ask someone to help him or ask the counter person to tell you the items you were unable to see.
You thought of yourself and forgot what it felt like to feel unsafe in public.Don't forget for the next time that's why people don't have more compassion for people on scooters

Answer 5

hey, I had a scooter for almost 4 years!
I was the first in Hania, Crete to have one, and I had to put up with a LOT of crap.
After a lot of trial and error, I found this:
No matter how ignorant, idoitic or just plain mean some people are, keep a sweet smile on your face. This is easier said than done, but can be managed with practice.
This is going to sound crazy, but some people, esp elderly people actually get jealous.
I'm not kidding, but they feel that they are just as disabled as we are, but because of the scooter we get all the attention!
Of course, we don't like it, but they want it.
They stumble along, we zip in and out.
I am stumbling along myself now, and at times I really miss my trusty scooter.
We have to feel sorry for people who are in such bad shape, they feel like this.
I'm not even going to start to list the things I went through, just remember that when you are out in public, you represent all of us, so do a good job, which I am sure you are doing anyway.
If you have to wait a bit, so be it.
I have met a lot of great people waiting in a line which had a sign saying 'disabled served first''

Answer 6

The only thing different I can imagine you doing is to say several times- I am sorry sir but I am using a mobility scooter and I need you to move 3 steps to your right. Be very specific and direct.

Answer 7

If he was blind, how was he to know you were using a scooter?

It seems to me like both of you being disabled could have provided an opening for mild humor ("Do you think it's the deli meat?") rather than confrontation.

Answer 8

Sounds like you were direct, but respectful and polite. He's old and cranky. Hmmm...How odd that an old man be grumpy and grizzled. No worries! Old men (yes, especially men) seem a little set in their ways from my experience.

In retrospect, maybe you coulp have offered something, like: "I'll tell you what, If you late me by, I'll get you a piece of gum."

Wow that sounded condescending...nevermind. You did great!

Answer 9

Under the circumstances, and hearing your side only, no, I'd say not. If you did not raise your voice, you did the best that you could. Some folks are just plain ignorant.

Answer 10

Could have waited till he finished his order then you would have had the deli to yourself...