We're told the biggest killer nowadays is stress. So it's time to raise our caps and praise those kind citizens who do their best to slow us down and so reduce stress levels. After spending most of last year in London and now residing in Madrid I do have to say however that not all the locals are pulling their weight. So here's a reminder on how to slow down the pace of life..

1) When walking slowly together in the street, try to walk across the pavement and so slow down everyone.

2) Please, if you need to pause, don´t step to one side. Just stop where you are, suddenly and ask your companion a question.

3= In supermarkets please make sure you have a list of detailed questions to ask the cashier. It's best to keep your money safe, so never take it out until all your shopping is packed and the bill has been presented. Even at this stage it's worthwhile querying one or 2 prices - you can never be too careful you know!!

4) When you approach the gate to the Metro that requires your ticket, make as if you've never come across this type of mechanism before (even if you've lived in the city for 20 years). Not only will you be helping to slow down the pace of life for everyone (and thus reduce stress) but you will be providing gainful employment to the pickpockets who can app'roach those people held up behind you.

5) ...and when you take your journey on the Metro, make sure to always prevent travellers from getting off the train. After-all it can only benefit them to have a few less minutes at work...

Shhhh!!! Not so loud. They might hear you.
Each one of these people thinks that they are the only ones here.

I don't know if I made the point clearly enough in my post, but I found people to be just as selfish or self-absorbed in London as in Madrid. However it doesn't always pay to be courteous. I remember just before Christmas I tried to make way for an old couple getting off the Metro and inadvertently bumped into another woman. She ranted at me for being selfish and inconsiderate. You can't win...

Mark,

This is a great way to get it off of your chest. Let it go and keep on moving. There were plenty of days in Madrid where I just wanted to blow up, but decided that it just wasn;t worth it. Thank God for the gym. Remember, you are not alone with this way of thinking and I think that it's creeping all over the world with people being inconsiderate.

Shawn

classic thread Mark

i don't sweat these things anymore. like water off a duck's back.

for example, the getting off the metro car dealy, if i am the one getting off i always puff out my chest, widen my shoulders and barrel out of the metro car, not giving a damn about those on the platform who are not respecting my right to get off before they get on. i often bump into the idiots and could not care less.

if i am on the platform waiting to get on, i do what you do and make way for those getting off and don't give a shit if i bump into someone else waiting to get on. i do try to ask them to move over so i can also do so and let the people off but i only say it once and then i just bump them back or aside.

your number 1 above...

quote:

1) When walking slowly together in the street, try to walk across the pavement and so slow down everyone.

... hits home with me. i especially love the to 5 middle-aged ladies that walk along the sidewalk all holding hands or with arms linked, not allowing room for even a small child to pass unless one walks in to the street to do so. i call them the "cadena de marujas" or "marujas encadenadas" i normally shout out to please let me through when i am behind them but if they do not, i rarely even slow down and simply plow through, breaking the chain.

for number 2...

quote:

2) Please, if you need to pause, don´t step to one side. Just stop where you are, suddenly and ask your companion a question.

... i just bump into them and continue walking

saludos,
jer...

quote:

de marujas" or "marujas encadenadas" i normally shout out to please let me through when i am behind them but if they do not, i rarely even slow down and simply plow through, breaking the chain.

Ha, ha, red rover, red rover with those little spark-plug shaped marujas... What an image.

Mark, you missed the most obvious one, which is the total lack of umbrella managment skills in Madrid. I am generally forgiving on all these sorts of urban mishaps, but I was appalled by the careless way that Madrileños wielded umbrellas during the rainy period this year. I know they only get a few chances a year to use one, but still.

Oh, how I miss those days . . .

Shawn

Funny thing to make me homesick - but it most certainly did!