was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Earlier this week, I fell down the stairs at home and badly bruised my tailbone. Thankfully, it isn't broken. It is, however, painful. I'm getting around much better now, but the stairs are a little painful/difficult if I don't hold onto the railing.

My LIRR station has an elevated platform and (obviously) several staircases. At my station, despite the fact that there is a big waiting room on the platform, people huddle in the stair case whenever the weather is cold, windy, rainy, or hot -- basically every day you'll find 5+ people standing around in the stairwell (almost at the top, more than halfway up anyway), more if the weather is really bad. They usually leave enough room in the center of the stairs (not on the railing) for one person to fit through. I always found it a little annoying, but it never bothered me as long as I could fit up the stairs.

Today, however, I needed to hold the railing to get up the stairs and one of the women refused to move off the railling for me to use it. (There were people on both sides of the stairs.) At first I just said, "excuse me" and she said "you have to go around me, there's nowhere for me to go." This should have been my first clue I was dealing with someone irrational. There is apparently room for me to go around her, but nowhere for her to go...

I said, "Do you mind just moving over so I can pass using the railing? I have an injury and need to hold the railing to go up and down the stairs safely." Mind you, I'm 3/4 of the way up the stairs at this point.

She then tells me, "Well then you need to take the elevators, not the stairs." And then the shocker to me, "I shouldn't have to move or go up in the cold for you because you're too proud or lazy to take the elevator."

At this point, all three people on the other side of the staircase moved and helped me over to that side so I could get up the stairs safely, so the conversation with this woman was over. But is it really too much to ask someone to take ONE STEP to the side so I can get up the stairs safely?

The elevators, btw, are about a block away from this staircase (which would be more walking for me) -- and regardless, I CAN do the stairs. I just need the railing. And shouldn't she be in the waiting room and not blocking the stairs? FWIW, on other days, the women on the stairs moved without me having to even ask when they saw me using the railing, so it was never an issue until today.

Aren't the stairs are the stairs - for people to go up and down? The waiting room is for keeping people out of the elements while they wait... If you choose to stand on the stairs, shouldn't you expect to let other people by you and to use the railing?

Was it really too much to ask this woman to let me by?

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

I'm way too much of a potty mouth -- I probably would have become quite angry and cursed her out 9 ways to Sunday.

She was VERY rude to you -- and how are you being "lazy" by not taking the elevator? You are taking the stairs which is more work, so you were clearly dealing with a nasty illogical person.

Kudos to the other people who moved and helped you.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

I think I would have knocked her teeth in

I hope you feel better

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Message edited 2/18/2010 12:43:00 PM.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

No, it wasn't to much to ask.
Sounds like she's just a rude miserable person.

Feel better

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Yes that would bother me. Lately anything related to the LIRR has been bothering me.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

First of all, I fell a couple of years ago on the ice - also bruised my tailbone. I know how much that hurts and that NO position is relief. Hang in there.

As to your vent - that's horrible behavior by them. Just shows again how people think they should always have their way. It's sad.

Wouldn't the fully enclosed waiting area be much better than the stairs, that is at least open on the top and bottom? I don't get people. I've been in some situations where people decide they want to sit on/stand on the staircases. I usually let out a loud New Yorker scream of "Boy, is that going to hurt when we push them out of the way". Some of them get the hint.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Words of advice: Avoid getting off of the subway at either Canal St or Grand Ave. People will not only NOT let you get off the train, they will literally bowl you over as they ignore that you are standing directly in front of them.

Sorry you had to deal with that azzhole. But at least you know that you were right and other people acknowledged this fact as well.

Message edited 2/18/2010 12:48:59 PM.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

isn't she a fire safety hazard???

I would have seriously called the LIRR police. if she didnt' want to move her azz, they would have.

I hope you bum feels better!!!

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

That is insane.
Bottom line is she SHOULDN"T be standing there period.

Saying you are too proud or lazy to use the elevator? How about her being too precious and delicate to get a little cold for a few seconds?

To stand there and argue?



Someone should have pushed her down the stairs!

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

That is so rude!!!!!!!!!!

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Is it wrong that I hope she falls down & bruises her tailbone?

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

wow. i probably would have gotten nasty with her. i have no patience for people like that.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

What a horrible woman. You showed and amazing amount of restraint. I hope she felt like a complete MORON when the other people assisted you. I am fuming for you.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

What is the matter with people?! I'm glad the other people helped you out. She sounds insane.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

some peopel are just NASTY! And she is obviously delusional to make a comment about being too lazy to take the elevator INSTEAD of the stairs. You are a bigger person than me - I would have felt the strongest urge to kick her legs out from under her on her beloved stairs. You did the right thing by just letting it go.

Hope you feel better.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Psycho woman!!

On the plus side 3 people helped you so crazies haven't taken over the world just yet.

Feel better. Do you want me to come over and rub your butt?

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Thanks, everyone. I think the woman was a little unstable... I really don't think someone could be THAT self-absorbed and oblivious, but I guess it's possible. I was rendered nearly speechless honestly.

I think people congregate on the stairs because it's closer to where they want to get on the train... There is a huge waiting room, with stairs right near it. You go up that staircase, which ends under an overhang. Then you can walk right into the waiting room. I have NO idea if the waiting room gets crowded. I never go in there. I just wait on the platform with my umbrella or whatever I need. I don't get to the train station terribly ahead of time, so I don't usually have to wait too long.

I've been taking later-than-usual trains lately (moving slower with the bad butt ), so hopefully I won't run into this whacko again.

BTW, if she were nice and simply pointing out where the elevators were in case I needed them, that would be one thing... but she seemed offended by the thought that I dare take the stairs and want her to move for me.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

No you were NOT wrong. She was being nasty and rude. Hope Karma bites her in the A$$.

BTW< i injured my tailbone many years ago so I know exactly what you are feeling.

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

OMG I am so sorry that happened to you! People are insane out there

Re: was this really too much to ask? (a little vent about rude people)

Posted by MeNBobs
Do you want me to come over and rub your butt?