It takes all sorts
Posted: Wednesday, 17 October 2007 |
Comments
I know just what you mjean. When I had one in a buggy and one walking we were getting off the bus and an old woman barged onto the bus so that I couldn't get past with the buggy. My 4 year old had already got off and was alone on the roadside (a big deal in a city). She had the sharp end of my tongue can tell you.
alix from west midlands
Maybe you are too diffident: you should have said "Excuse me/Pardon me -may we get through?" About standing in lines/queues: perhaps you should have asked the old person: are you still in line? (meaning, if you are in line, go through and don't dally). You should stand up for your rights, and should have told them they were not being a good example to the young ones. Don't just moan and groan: confront firmly but politely.
mjc from NM, USA
Oh you didn't did you? How dreadful. The lord will smite Harris into a gazillion pieces and just because you hung your washing out on a Sunday. Sadly, however, perhaps a when in Rome moment might have averted such a calumny. Have you tried smiling sweetly at such miseries? They don't like it much as it fair takes the wind out of their sails. There's a woman with a face like a torn scone here in Stromness who Fpu takes great delight in giving a big friendly 'Hello' to every time...if looks could kill...but it sure makes the donor feel great...if not the recipient! The best day was the one when she mumbled 'hello' back. Victory!!!
Flying Cat from Cheshire Grin
Coming on top of Squidgy's post the other day, this seems another example of native born islanders being resentful of 'incomers'. However, I think you yourself, put your finger on the root cause of the negative vibes you experienced. Hanging washing out on a Sunday may seem a trivial matter to you, but to others it may be viewed as brazenly flouting/ being disrespectful of the deeply held views/convictions of the native islanders. Perhaps a greater understanding and respect for the traditions of the native born islanders will help you get on with each other. You cannot expect them to show respect to you if you do not show respect to them. I do not wish to appear to be offensive but did you really want to move to the island or were you just following your husband? To entitle your blog 'Moans of the Day' suggests you do not have a very positive attitude to island life. I am wondering if you are really prepared to make and go of it and try to settle in and be happy?
Duncan (incomer to Brum) from wondering if you made the right choice
Fc has told you exactly how to treat these people, that's what I do. In fact I go out of my way to be nice to them. There is a woman, not far from where I live ( a bit too close really) and I know that she is nasty about us, behind our backs, so I go out of my way to be nice to her, and it gives me great delight. I even once stopped to give her a lift, but she made an excuse not to. A cheery wave and a shout of "HELLO THERE" always goes down well. Cheery...
Tws from The Lewis Sabbatarian
Ha you commited a mortal sin-hanging washing out on a sunday-i did it whilst on holiday in aultbea and the same sunday morning shocked the "free church minister" as i done by jogging on the beach in a vest and shorts(ok in 1980 i could wear anything and get away with it):Just continue to bring the wee ones up as you're doing just now and as fc says' give a smile and hello to the harpies!
carol from who once dared to hang washing on a sunday in ault
Nothing worse than folk
. from .
The 'When in Rome' is excellent advice.
calum from The Colisseum, Cross
Calum; I think you'll find that in Rome they do all sorts of things on a Sunday that might not agree with the wee free mindset. Perhaps that's the problem, washing on Sunday is a Popish practice?
Hyper-Borean from Not so ultramontane
Hanging your linen on Sundays. That's what happens when having a tumbler dryer is frowned upon as not being eco-friendly, wasteful of money and natural resources. Of course, if you lived in a multi-culti. environment and are politically correct, you would not hang your clothing on Fridays either (Muslims might frown on it), or Saturdays ( the Jews might not like it, and some fundamentalist Christians as well), and of course, never on Sundays. Hyper-B., you of all people should remember that washing on Saturdays (not Sundays) is a Popish practice: to air the clothes after the Friday fish fry. # Oh, I went to a log hogan for mass in Chinle, on the Navajo reservation recently: some readings in Navajo, and the Franciscan priest who had gone native used some adapted Navajo rituals (e.g. incense arising from a Navajo pottery being wafted towards the four corners, and towards the faithful, using an eagle feather) Very sedate and very moving.
mjc from NM, USA
Recognise this situation from Somerfields. Awkward, but rudeness is never called for.
Arnish Lighthouse from Stornoway
just to clear up a few points really. I have lived on these islands my whole life - so I am not an incomer. And also all those that live on the same street as me also hang their washing out on a sunday and some then go to church! I myself have beliefs but do not believe in all the hypocrisy that goes along with it. So I am doing what others do so the when in rome doesn't really apply! Also I do always try the 'smiley' approach it doesn't always work though! Also Duncan thanks for your comment but believe it or not I am a very positive bubbly person and I love my island way of life (most of the time). Moans of the day is just a way of describing different aspects and if we didn't all let off steam now and again we would just explode! The title certainly isn't a dogmatic description of what my blog is about - I haven't moaned in all of them (I don't think!!) Thanks for everyone taking the time to make a comment
me who wrote this blog from harris
Good for you 'me' carry on moaning...I would never have had you down as a native, because they generally keep their heads down. Which might explain the relative lack of same on ib...with honourable exceptions.
Flying Cat from Cheshire Grin
Hi me. Sincere apologies for jumping to the wrong conclusion (it's a 'man' thing) and misjudging you. Wishing you all the best!
Duncan from egg on my face
no probs Duncan!! Just thought I'd set the record straight I might moan a bit but I'm not that bad - honest!!!
just me from the rock
I'm with mjc on this - you need to be friendly and assertive - apologise in advance and go ahead to do what you intended - 'sorry, were you still in the queue? we thought you'd finished' And always remember to stand up for your children (within reason) it will do them good too. 'sorry, Jane thought you'd finished'
scallowawife from shetland
It's a lot harder to carry off when you are in your twenties, they are in their maturity or beyond and you've lived there all your life...
Flying Cat from just thinking back a bit
Oh dear, this strange behaviour is not restricted to the islands. I do not care whether you are young, old, married, single, gay, straight, with/without children, black white, yellow, tartan or anything else. Be respectful to one another, you have done nothing wrong and niether have your children. You - show love and chear, if it not accepted, show more. It will make you feel good and hopefuly change others. If not, it sure as hell anoys them - in itself giving you a smug satisfaction. Enjoy your life and your family, don't waste too much time worrying about what these unfortunate people think. By the way, if you have a God,- he/she is there for you on every day of the week - even when you are doing the washing. Just as well that our emergency services are happy to work on Sundays ! Peter from Portincaple
Peter from Portincaple
Take no notice of them, you had the best weapon known to man a pushchair with a child in it. Aim straight at the ankles - it works every time - no forgiveness - answer with an "Oh I'm really sorry" you know, the kind of insincere sincerity the government use when they make a mistake. If you could train your wee one to wipe their noses on the old calliachs coat tails, you would get extra browny points from me. Carry on carrying on.
Crofterbill from the Vatersay bunker
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