Are people slowing down or am I more fit?

[janiejoey]

I swear that when I'm shopping I have to go around people all the time because they are moving so slowly. In a cashier line people (even the cashiers) seem to be moving in slow motion while putting their items on the belt. Either there is something extraordinary happening to me or Cathe has made me more fit and I don't need to slow down LOL I'm a speed demon compared to them!

Anybody experience this, or am I alone?

Janie

[cbillekop]

Janie, I have the same problem! It seems sometimes people are very slow & then they won't move out of the way when you come! This is part of my frustation with grocery shopping! However I do make exceptions for moms with small kids & babies & the seniors!
Take care,
Cathy

[JeanneMarie]

I don't think other people or slowing down or you're getting faster, I think it's a "patience" problem.

I say this because I find myself doing the same thing. I don't understand why people don't have their money/debit card/check ready when they are in the check out line, or the drive through, or anywhere you've had time to prepare. I think to myself.... what the heck are they doing while in line? Daydreaming?

Then I take a step back and try to imagine that one of these people is my elderly relative, or someone who is sick or impaired, and that helps me react with an extra dose of patience. If I'm behind a slow car that won't go the speed limit and seems unsure of where they're going, instead of getting angry and impatient, I try to imagine that they are elderly or maybe from out of town and unfamiliar with the roads.

[LasVegasFitGirl]

I agree that it has a lot to do with patience. I know. I don't have very much. However, I see people with oxygen tanks, in electric wheelchairs, and just plain obese and I tell myself I never want to be like that. I'm almost 45 and I just can't imagine slowing down.

Sometimes I wonder at what point do you slow down? What makes you slow down? If I'm constantly pushing to be better, faster, stronger, why would I slow down? Is it from injury? Life changing events? Heck, I'm going full steam ahead.

[fit44]

I believe it has everything to do with patience.
As for the oxygen tanks, my poor mother had one the last year of her life. I took her shopping many times, carting that tank along... and if she was in the way, I didn't care! She needed to get out house.
I'm like Jeanne, I imagine the person moving slower in front of me as a family member (my mother, father, sister) and have learned not to be annoyed by it.
You know what, that could be any one of us one day. You never know what life will throw your way.

[cbillekop]

Originally Posted by JeanneMarie

I don't think other people or slowing down or you're getting faster, I think it's a "patience" problem.

I say this because I find myself doing the same thing. I don't understand why people don't have their money/debit card/check ready when they are in the check out line, or the drive through, or anywhere you've had time to prepare. I think to myself.... what the heck are they doing while in line? Daydreaming?

Then I take a step back and try to imagine that one of these people is my elderly relative, or someone who is sick or impaired, and that helps me react with an extra dose of patience. If I'm behind a slow car that won't go the speed limit and seems unsure of where they're going, instead of getting angry and impatient, I try to imagine that they are elderly or maybe from out of town and unfamiliar with the roads.

I agree with this. My problem is with the 20 & 30 year olds who, when in the grocery store are wallking together with arms crossed & seem to be unware there are 3 or 4 people behind them & don't respond to "excuse me"! These are the ones! As far as seniors & moms with babies I know there are days when they need to have the patience they deserve!
It's the same for driving, sometimes the slow people in front are the seniors & they also deserve our patience!

[JeanneMarie]

Originally Posted by fit44

I believe it has everything to do with patience.
As for the oxygen tanks, my poor mother had one the last year of her life. I took her shopping many times, carting that tank along... and if she was in the way, I didn't care! She needed to get out house.
I'm like Jeanne, I imagine the person moving slower in front of me as a family member (my mother, father, sister) and have learned not to be annoyed by it.
You know what, that could be any one of us one day. You never know what life will throw your way.

Bless you for taking care of your mom. I cared for both of my ailing parents before they passed away. I think this experience has made me more patient around others, especially the elderly.

And I couldn't agree more that you never know what life will throw your way. We all look at the obese person riding a scooter and make judgements and declare we don't want to ever be that way. By the grace of God, hopefully none of us ever will be. But accidents, disease and illnesses happen. You do the best you can do, but you just can't control everything.

Breaking my wrist last year gave me a whole new perspective. I have always been one of those people who didn't understand why people weren't out there running and lifting weights and exercising and eating right and so forth. Life happens. Sometimes you are forced into a situation that you never imagined could be you. I always try to remember this when I encounter an older, slower, less capable person.

[lisa_la_machina]

Originally Posted by cbillekop

As far as seniors & moms with babies I know there are days when they need to have the patience they deserve!

I hate to admit it, but I used to be the person getting upset at all the "slow" people around me.

But now I am the mommy with her baby and am the one causing all the trouble! I'm so grateful for the kind, understanding smiles I get from many of the people around me when I'm dealing with my squirmy baby in public. It has also taught me to be more patient with others because I can't always know what is going on in the life of another person who is "slowing me down."

[stmirli]

I agree that it is all about patience. My beef is not with elderly, slower people in front of me. I have a problem with rudeness more than slowness. I don't understand people (men, especially, I have noticed) who drive rudely, cut in line, don't think about how their actions affect others, and are just downright nasty. Rudeness tests my patience.

[JeanneMarie]

Originally Posted by stmirli

I agree that it is all about patience. My beef is not with elderly, slower people in front of me. I have a problem with rudeness more than slowness. I don't understand people (men, especially, I have noticed) who drive rudely, cut in line, don't think about how their actions affect others, and are just downright nasty. Rudeness tests my patience.

Yes, rudeness is hard to deal with. I try my best to respond to rudeness with kindness. It usually works. If it doesn't, it isn't worth letting it rent space in my brain. I just move on and figure they're having a bad day and I'm thankful it's not me!