Have Stick – Stop Traffic
I have been observing human nature the last month. Having been back and forth to hospital with a leg injury almost every other day, I was eventually able to walk in a staggering fashion. Not helped by my leukemia, my steering was all over the place, I couldn’t walk in a straight line (sober) and I had to keep resting.
Solution, buy a walking stick until I can walk on my own.
How things changed for me as a pedestrian. Driver’s attitudes to me completely changed.
Here in Wells, Somerset, we sometimes have to take our chances when crossing the road. Car drivers just do not want to slow down and lose a precious ten seconds waiting for somebody to cross the road.
But appear at the kerbside with a walking stick and they all stop while I take not ten, but thirty seconds or more to cross. And they smile and wave.
So if you are healthy and can cross quickly, no chance, I’m not slowing down for you!!!
But if you are obviously stricken and very slow – then by all means I will stop for you and please, just take your time, no rush.
I’m now back on my own two legs and having to wait and wait for a gap in the traffic, nobody stops.
Has anyone else noticed this quirk of human nature.
And something else.
In Wells where I live, two people passing in the street will hardly speak to each other.
Say “good morning” to them and they give you a very suspicious look.
I spend most of my time in Glastonbury, just five miles down the road, and everybody speaks to everybody else, strangers, locals, those passing through, everybody chats. What a difference.
Let me know, I would love to know what happens in other countries.
Stay happy
Bux
Recent Comments
30
Hi Bux
I know the feeling - although mine is a bit different to yours.
My difficulty is on a train in Bangkok, where about 4 seats are reserved for older passengers. I am thinking of buying a walking stick to make me "look" older. Then I am more likely to get a seat from able-bodied people.
I will be 83 next month & walk 6klms a day. LOL
Denis
Possessing a stick is certainly one way to try and prevent oncoming traffic from running us over whilst crossing the street Bux... doesn't work very well over here though!!
I try my upmost best to converse with folks on the street here (even if there is a slight language barrier)!!
Some are receiving, others ignore me.... the same as everywhere I guess!!
Stay happy as well buddy! :-)
👍😊🦏
There is sometimes a language barrier here. The anglo-saxon expletives are terrible at times.
I thought you would be speaking French like a native by now.
Bux
I certainly understand that Bux, but... me speaking French like a native???
I could live here for another 100 years and that wouldn't happen!!!
I get by though!!
Hope all is well buddy and enjoy a wonderful weekend! :-)
Get off. You might think you’re bad at Frogese, but I’ll bet you can hold your own.
Hows the pup. Foot healing I hope. I might be better seeing her vet, he might get me sorted.
Busy weekend coming up.
Au revoir
Bux
I can hold my own Bux, but... far away from native level!
Her foot is much better now thanks, I'll send you the details of her vet if you want!
Hope you enjoyed your busy weekend and also found time to relax as well my friend! :-)
I know the feeling already, Bux. Like when I say good morning to somebody that I know working in a establishment, she'll be looking at me suspiciously or strangely one or the two and that's just enough for me to keep on going thinking, "wow, that was something."
I hope you feel better enough to not need a walking stick but I do understand your struggle of getting across the street.
Myra ♥️
That's it exactly Myra. That suspicious look.
Yep, off the walking stick now, but back on the tablets.
Never give in.
Bux
Hi Bux!
Here in the US, not too many people walk; they drive. But that being said, they drive like what you experience as someone who walks.
Drivers don't slow down for other drivers; they cut people off, drive over the posted speed limit, and sometimes even have episodes of road rage.
Be careful out there, Bux!
Wow, that also happens in the UK, not often, apart from the speeding. Most of the accidents are speed related.
Yes indeed, be careful out there.
Bux
See more comments
Hi Bux
Unfortunately, the world got itself in a big hurry, sometimes at the expense of common courtesy, the USA included.
I recommend you have a low threshold for using the walking stick whenever you need a little extra assistance.
I hope you bought a cool one, like what Lucius Malfoy has! It's great for grabbing impolite people and will conceal your wizard's wand inside so you can transfigure them into a rat, frog, or even a guitar pick! Lol 😆 🐸
Feel Better & Keep On Rockin' It! 😎🤘
Frank 🎸
I love that stick Frank, much better than my shepherd's crook one. It has given me the impetus to look for one in that style for myself, I'm sure I will need it from time to time now that I'm 21 and a bit and due for more treatment soon.
A low tolerance threshold - hmmm.
It's strange, Frank, Most times I am very tolerant, hold doors open for ladies, don't jump the queue however long and slow and just this morning helped a fair damsel into her car, but it does sometimes flip for a few minutes.
I agree, the world is in too much of a hurry and it is becoming further ingrained in each new generation. I'm a team player, not me, me, me.
Righto ... I think I might just take my walking stick for an excursion this afternoon.
Watch out, the Bux is about.
Enjoy the weekend.
Bux
Hi Bux
Haha, I knew you’d like that one!
Generally speaking, your walking stick length should be measured from the crease of your wrist while your arm is hanging down at your side to the floor.
However, go with what feels most comfortable for you.😎
Rest up & enjoy the end of the weekend,
Frank 🤘🎸
that is really useful information Frank. I had been wondering what a standard measurement was. The one I have is a fancy adjustable hiking pole and I know at certain lengths it becomes uncomfortable.
I will try your suggestion later today.
Bux
PS. How did you know my arm reached the floor.
Hi Bux
Yeah, the adjustable ones are best because you can make changes in the length to accommodate your symptoms, as people with disk disease and spinal stenosis often do.
Hahaha, long arms are great, especially for reaching things in high places! 😁
Frank 🤘🎸
That was why Isaac Newton was such a great bloke. He invented gravity so that everything ended up on the floor where even shorties can reach them.
Imagine if everything was stuck on the ceiling.
Time to take a tablet...
Bux
Hi Bux
Isaac didn't invent gravity. He recognized its existence and postulated laws and equations that predicted its effect on various types of matter. However, he could not define what actually created gravitational force.
Albert Einstein defined it with his general theory of relativity, in which gravity is a curving or warping of space. So, the satellite in the image below is kept in orbit by the Earth's gravity, but that gravitational force is created by the curving of space created from the planet's mass.
Then, there's the theory of quantum gravity, in which the Graviton is the hypothetical particle of gravity that mediates the force of gravitational interaction and can also act as a wave.
There's your physics lesson for the day, and thank God all my guitars stay where I put them! Lol 😂
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
I still prefer my version. Who needs quantum physics anyway, just put another record on.
Enjoy the new week Frank. I’m off to upset another doctor on Tuesday, wish me luck.
Bux
Hi Bux
Yeah, yesterday it was all opera, but today I’m listening to Andy Timmons.
Best of luck with your medical re-eval! 😎
Frank 🎸
Thank you, appreciated.
👍😎