Overblown rant on the subject of an irrational pet peeve.

[LaraMN]

Statement, up front: I have no issue with pedestrians, or waiting for pedestrians while I am in a vehicle. I live in Minnesota. I recognize that it's a lot more temperate in my Volvo (restrain, pervs) than on the street, much of the time.

That said, what the EFF is wrong with some people?! I routinely note that when I am stopped for a pedestrian in a parking lot at a random business, they often do something that just drives me INSANE. When I walk out in front of waiting traffic, I at least make something of an attempt to cross in an efficient manner. What is the deal with people who feel the need to cross on a DIAGONAL path, therefore forcing everyone to effectively wait twice as long for them to clear the road. Some people will walk down the CENTER of the road/aisle before committing to one side, as if there is a momentous decision to made in regard to whether you want to stay near the store or head to your vehicle. I will happily wait at length for anyone who cannot physically cross quickly, but for crying out loud, parking lot lanes are not tantamount to the deck of a mother-effing cruise boat. I feel like it's some sort of whacked-out power trip on the part of the pedestrian. As if picking up some Bisquick and motor oil wasn't enough of a kick for them, so now they're bent on creating traffic flow drama. I also want to kick the bumpers of motorists who don't wait for pedestrians, so note that I do, in fact, spread the disdain around...

/that's it.

[foxfeet]

1. It's due to Bisquick poisoning. nt

[LaraMN]

2. *snort!*

:D

[dawg]

3. Maybe they're hopped up on ....

ludafisk! (I don't know how to spell it, and I'll be damned if I'll look it up)

[eyepaddle]

5. I'll save ya the trouble

lutefisk. :)

[LisaM]

4. Actually, when I'm walking in a parking lot

I try to be out in the open, more away from parked cars, so that I am visible on all sides. For one thing, I'm not that tall, and I don't want someone who's backing out to miss me, or to be obscured by a car. I don't know if that answers your question, but when I'm in parking lots, I make myself be seen.

[LaraMN]

7. That makes sense in a number of scenarios,

but what about the people who walk down the middle of the aisle for the entire length when there is obviously a car directly behind them. I have had to creep behind someone for the full length of an aisle, on occasion, because they would not move to either side. I maintain a respectable distance, but it's just weird.

The whole diagonal-crossing thing annoys me foremost when I'm at the main run directly in front of the store, and people won't cross from the door of the store to the aisle where their car is parked. They walk out the door, than straggle along down the middle of the roadway. It drives me nuts! Earth-shatteringly significant? Of course not, but a "pet peeve"? Definitely!

[LisaM]

9. Oh, yeah, I'm sure it doesn't cover everything

but ever since a friend and I were once trying to get into her Ford Expedition and walked around it unable to see each other (Lisa? Are you there? Tami?) I've been careful that I'm out in plain sight.

And yes, there are a lot of really oblivious people. I wouldn't do this in a car, but sometimes when I'm on foot and someone is walking towards me texting, or wrapped up in their iPod or phone, making a beeline toward me, I do not get out of the way. I call this game "pedestrian bowling" - if they bang into me because they aren't looking, I score.

[MrCoffee]

6. MrsCoffee does that (forgets how to walk when she's in a parking lot)

I feel your pain, Lara, I really do.

[LaraMN]

8. :D

Vindication!