(no subject)

[turps]

It's the tale of two shops today.

We've been out shopping. I got two new pairs of shoes, both sketchers air walk as they're supposed to be really comfortable and I'm trying to do a lot more walking lately. In fact, we had a very nice walk yesterday around the coastal park and then because we didn't fancy going home went to the cinema to see London's Falling.

We enjoyed the film, but because of my eating restrictions decided to not bother with gallery tickets as I wouldn't be able to eat anything from there. Well, that was a bad decision as once we'd bought tickets for the movie, two drinks and a tray of nachos for James it would have been cheaper to get gallery tickets with the unlimited, nachos, popcorn, chocolates and drink. Oh well, you live and learn.

Another good thing, the Odeon now has an unlimited card where you can see as many movies as you want for £17 a month. If you want to use the gallery it's an extra £5 each time you go, but that's well worth it. So we'll be signing up for that soon.

But back to my shopping story. I had a few bags so went to take them to the car while James nipped into a nearby shop to get something we'd forgotten. While there he had to ask someone to get something off a shelf as it was too high for him to reach. At which point a horrible couple started loudly saying how spastics like him shouldn't be allowed out in public and that anyone with disabilities like that should be put down at birth. Just thinking about it made me angry, and James said that everyone around could hear what they were saying and looked really uncomfortable. But what that couple didn't know is James is no shrinking violet who would run off without saying anything. He verbally laid into them, said they had no right to say what they were saying, were pathetic people who didn't know him, needed to shut the fuck up and that never mind being put down had a full time job and they should realise that one day they could call for an ambulance and it could be him taking the call.

Lots of people had come to see what was going on by that time, and quite a few of them clapped when the couple set down their full basket and walked out of the shop. But I mean, what right do they have to say that? None. It makes my blood boil that people could even think that never mind say it out loud in a busy shop.

To counteract that. We went on to another shop and while there a man approached and very respectfully asked if he could ask James about his false leg. It turns out this man is facing a choice between an ankle fixation or an amputation himself and when he saw James decided to ask someone who knew first hand. Which was especially fitting as James' actual leg is also fixed at the ankle. They had a good respectful talk, James answered questions and gave reassurances as best that he could.

And that's how it should happen. Shame that first couple didn't know anything about decency and respect.

Comments

[doctor_jasley]

YAYY MOVIE AND WALKING SHOES.

Some people are just shit heels no matter where you go. They DESERVED to be laid into for being small-minded assholes.

I'm glad to here there was a more positive counteract that happened. I'm glad not all people are raging dicks about everything.

*hugs* <3

(now I'm off to try and write bbb...or read through the doc and decide if I want to keep at it or try something else)

[turps]

The movie and walking shoes are both excellent things. Hopefully the shoes are as good as people say.

They did. It still makes me angry thinking about it. No one should have to hear things like that, and I'd say I hope they'd learned something after pathetically slinking away, but with people like that I doubt it.

The other encounter was great. The man is facing such a huge decision, so I really hope the talk helped a little.

Good luck with the writing. All my writerly vibes are coming your way.

[doctor_jasley]

There's this really interesting yet disheartening thing I learned about in Social Psychology during college. It's that most of the time when people have such a deep-seated contentious belief, they dig their heels in about it whenever confronted about it. So, my bets are on them grumbling about being victims and getting yelled at and it'll change nothing *sighs*...it pisses me off too that people like that can be nasty like that and feel like the wronged party when they're not.

I think I've officially decided to try and finish what I was going to write last year for wave 2. If I can remember HOW I wanted to finish the narration. Also, I KNOW the summary is going to be a beast to try and create. But, I reallly love the idea and it's that or something new(which wants to be HUGGGEEEE) or the one where empath gabe and post-cog brendon solve crimes. I'm having such trouble deciding.

[wenchpixie]

Uhrg, I am so sorry that those assholes had to be breathing the same air as James - I'm delighted that he could say something, but it's 2016... how are fuckwits like that still in existence? I suppose that while they may not have learned anything (idiots seldom do), the other people in the shop may have, or may have had positive belief strengthened, and that can only be a good thing.

Anyway, how wonderful that that man could have what will have been a seriously important conversation with James. ♥


I have a pair of those sketchers - bought to work a convention, where I walked 30 000 steps by 11am and then my pedometer broke. My feet were sore, still, but they were better than they would have been and my back/hips were a LOT better :)

[turps]

That's what I keep thinking. It is 2016, attitudes like that should have been left in the past long ago. In fact, I thought they had been so that was an unpleasant surprise.

The second man was so lovely. He was only going to ask a few questions at first, but once James reassured him he could ask what he liked they had a reasonable lengthy chat about types of artificial legs, phantom pains etc. He's facing such a huge decision, so I really do hope the chat helped even a little.

Whoa, that is a lot of steps. I tend to feel it in my lower back when I've been walking a lot, so that's very reassuring to know. Thank you!

[pensnest]

Those Sketchers shoes look very comfortable. Yay for you getting more walks in, too.

Good for James for being able to reply in the moment—it'd be even more frustrating if he had had to fume and think of the right thing to say later. I'm glad to hear the other shoppers were on your side—as they should be.

[turps]

They felt comfortable in the shop. Hopefully they stay so when I'm out and about.

James has never been someone to fume silently and not say what he's thinking, which was a good thing this time. I've been thinking about the other shoppers, how none said anything at the time before James responded. But it's such a difficult decision, when any decent person would know they should respond somehow but wouldn't know if doing so would make things worse somehow.

[turlough]

The soles of those shoes look like neon coloured corrugated iron :-)

What a horrid couple!! I knew people like that existed but hoped that they at least had the decency to keep quiet about their outdated beliefs. But I guess looking for decency from people like that is a hopeless task. As the other commenters have already said, they probably didn't learn anything from James' reaction but hopefully the other people in the store did.

[turps]

They do! I'm just hoping they're as comfy as people say.

Horrid is right. It's hard to believe that these days some people still think such stupid and horrible things. I agree I doubt they'll change how they think, but hopefully will remember next time they want to say horrible things in public to someone else they deem unacceptable to be alive.

[chalcopyrite]

wtf is wrong with some people. Go James, in both encounters!

I haven't tried the skechers shoes, but they are on my list (for when I actually need more shoes...) just for how lightweight they are! I hope they are comfy and make your feet happy!

[turps]

Some people are just wrong, no doubt at all times.

I've seen so many people praise the sketchers that I'm hopeful for a very comfy walk.

[winterlover]

*claps along for James*
It's good that he responded to this couple like he did because even if it didn't change their minds, they learnt that they won't get away with their behaviour.

[turps]

I was proud of him when he said how he'd responded.

Sadly I agree with the majority that it probably won't change their minds, because asshole thoughts like that tend to be very engrained. But yeah, they were shown there could be consequences about saying what they're thinking.

[sperrywink]

WOW, what dickheads! That is just outrageous. I can't believe some people. But go James for being awesome and telling them off.

But that second story is wonderful (not that the guy has to consider amputation, but you know what I mean).

Good luck with the shoes!

[turps]

Dickheads is right. It's hard to believe some people can be so horrible, but sadly they really can.

The second story was cool. I hope that guy has made the decision that's best for him.

My sketchers are amazing! I love them loads.

[ephemera]

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people?! Glad that James had a positive conversation to balance things out a bit.

[turps]

I don't understand some people at all.

To say something so horrible still astounds me all this time later.

[glitteryv]

I actual!read that part about the horrible couple talking ABOUT James in such a blatant and hateful manner with my mouth wide open. What kind of fucker is that? (FTR, I'm also glaring at the rest of the people in the store. No one should have to "nobly endure" such a humiliating and dehumanizing experience).

James gets ALL THE KUDOS for setting them straight about their nasty behaviour. >:(

Decency and respect are two things that aren't that hard to be aware of.

[turps]

I actual!read that part about the horrible couple talking ABOUT James in such a blatant and hateful manner with my mouth wide open. What kind of fucker is that? (FTR, I'm also glaring at the rest of the people in the store. No one should have to "nobly endure" such a humiliating and dehumanizing experience).

Sadly some horrible people exist in this world. And yeah, I have to admit to thinking that about the onlookers myself. It is good they gave support after, but sometimes you need people to speak up at the time and say something.

Decency and respect are two things that aren't that hard to be aware of

Yep. They're so important. Not just in situations like that but every single day. I just have to hold onto the thought that most people understand that.

[rikes]

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE. >>>>>:( Glad to hear James was able to respond in the moment, but sucks that he was in that situation in the first place. I HOPE THEY DIE IN A FIRE.

[turps]

Some people are just wrong. Even now I can't get my head around the fact they thought it was okay to say that.