Hitch-u-like

It is an article of faith that I do not read the Daily Mail much. It's sort of on the "Index". But I do subscribe to Hitchens' blog on there as I like occasionally being wound up by him, knowing he's probably just round the corner from me somewhere in a house that positively glows with the inner anger one feels permeates his entire being.

So it is unusual to find something with which I agree whole heartedly:

Thud! Sorry, but can't you look where you're going?

In overcrowded Britain, walking along a crowded city pavement has become a test of alertness, social skill, forbearance, and patience. Even if you constantly adjust your course and speed to allow for the movements of other people, which I always thought was the thing to do, the others are often not doing the same. Read the rest of it here.

It's partly why I cannot stand being on Lib Dem policy working parties - the thought of trying to walk the "wrong way" down Victoria Street at the evening rush hour fills me with utter dread. But it happens wherever you go - corridors in my place of work where people (and not always students it has to be said) think that it's okay to walk four abreast engaged in their little conversation...."where the f*** do you expect me to disappear to so you can get past without moving?"

Being utterly unable to melt into a wall for such people I do now take a robust view, which is probably equally unsociable but necessary to preserve one's rights against people that are, basically, bullies, and stand full square to them (and I'm no stick-insect me of course!) and if they don't move I ready my shoulder for the inevitable bump (it's better if I am returning to my desk from the canteen with a full mug of hot tea of course!) and utter one of Peter's "sorries" as they go past:

I also say 'sorry' quite a lot, in the British sense of the word that means 'You moron. Why can't you look where you're going?' but which people often take for a genuine apology from me after they have trodden on my foot or hacked my shin.