One of the unwritten but universally understood rules of walking in a city is that the slower people will be passed by the faster people. Walking today, cutting through the big Rideau shopping center, like I've been doing since the manifestation began (still manifesting, FYI) I was behind a slow-moving woman, late fifty-ish, in a long puffy olive-drab coat and a green scarf. I walked past her, thinking of what I wanted to accomplish during the day, 'maybe take that print out of the press, put together one of those daguerreotypes, we're going for Indian for lunch today...'
Woman: Excuse me.
Me: Yes? (thinking that maybe I've dropped something... why else do strangers talk to you as you are walking past them?)
Woman: You just cut in front of me. Do you think that is appropriate? You stopped me right in my tracks.
Me: And you think that this is an appropriate comment to say to a complete stranger?
Apparently she did not pick up on how appalled I was by how utterly rude she was being. Did she not know the rules of the urban jungle?
She keeps talking. And the whole time this is happening we are still walking. I, being the faster, have moved fairly far from her, but she's still talking, calling me rude! The temper is starting to rise: I have the incredible urge to turn around and say, "Your mother taught you that this was polite? Grow up. Next time I pass you I won't just 'stop you in your tracks', I'll be sure to trip you. And then kick you while you're down. You don't even know what you're dealing with, bitch."
However, since I am being the change, I decided to go for the immature and "I'm ending this route".
Me: (rolling the eyes and saying in a clearly insincere tone of voice) I'm sooo sorry.
Then she thanked me. She thanked me for an amazingly and utterly facetious apology! I just kept walking. I also didn't look at her when we stood at the same street corner a few seconds later waiting for the light to change.
And the rest of the walk to the Gallery, once I regained control of my temper, all I could think was, "Crazy Canadian. I thought these people were supposed to be nice? Where's my jelly doughnut?"
2 comments:
I congratulate you for being the more mature person in this encounter and living the change. Remember, many years ago, I told you that in this world you must sometimes suffer fools. You did so today with style. Also remember, there are times a lady can drop the F-bomb and remain a lady, but it must be in an instance of extreme provocation!
I think you responded with restraint. I am proud of you! Your mother taught you well. Maybe this woman was feeling frustrated by the prolonged bus manifestation.
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