Are people getting more oblivious nowadys?

[grumpyduck]

Is it just me, or are people getting more oblivious to their surroundings? Meandering down the middle of the aisle at the supermarket, walking down the middle of the driveway at the parking lot, driving, turning, and not even always when they're on the phone. Just totally unaware of others around them.

Just this morning at Trader Joe's, a lady was walking down the middle of the driveway in the parking lot, taking her own sweet time, apparently in la-la land. I so wanted to come up behind her and blast my horn, but I wasn't raised that way. When she finally moved aside to get in her car and I passed her slowly, she glared at me like how dare I pass her.

I know my username is grumpy duck, but, really, anybody else notice this?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I am not experiencing that where I am.

People have always been on occasion oblivious to their surroundings, but I've seen zero increase. If anything, where I am people in stores are far more courteous and friendly than ever.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Christ yes

especially the oblivious wandering down the middle of the parking lot lanes, my so says they know a car is behind them but just don't care.

And the idiots jamming up grocery aisles deep in conversation with friends they meet shopping. This happened yesterday, I'm politely like excuse me, they're still yakking, I'm louder EXCUSE ME, they're barely moving.

I do think they just don't give a shit

EDIT: none were wearing masks

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. People have a lot of shit going on.

[bluewater]

4. Covid Fog?

Long term neural impact of covid is being studied.

So, who knows?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. That's one option out of a thousand, so okay.

[Stallion]

11. Yeah and A Lot of Other People have Nothing Going On

I think its a clash between overly worked people always rushing and those living a more leisurely life facing no real deadlines

[chowder66]

5. Yes. I've noticed this too. Consideration seems to be dying out. nt

[Bayard]

7. Yes, they are

Its--Me first, attitude. No manners.

[LizBeth]

8. I have not noticed any more so than past.

[Sherman A1]

9. No, they always have been

This is nothing new.

[stillcool]

10. interesting video posted yesterday

by Xipe Totec. It's nothing new, but references the hypothesis nicely. I wanted to get some of the quotes, but was too lazy, so I bookmarked it.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017674740

[FoxNewsSucks]

12. Yes.

Oblivious sometimes and mainly just not giving a shit about anyone but themselves.

It's been getting worse for at least 30 years

[JHB]

13. There is a certain lack of situational awareness

It's not from phone-gazing either (though that doesn't help). It's been happening since before phones had screens, and where they're clearly not using one.

I haven't had to deal with it much since working remotely, but I couldn't stand people who got to the end of an escalator and just stood there deciding where they had to go next.

Take a couple of steps and clear the landing, people!

[MineralMan]

14. I'm not sure it's any more prevalent than it has been.

Many people behave as if they are in a bubble, containing only them. They do not notice other people at all, unless the other people obstruct them in some way.

But, this is not new. People have been parking shopping carts in the middle of the aisle and walking away to stare at products for as long as I have been shopping in supermarkets. Walking down the middle of parking lot roads, as well. They are oblivious, not necessarily intentionally, but because of the bubble in which they exist.

You do not matter to such people. Unless you are immediately in front of them and somehow annoy them, they do not recognize your existence.

Someone in the thread mentioned "situational awareness." Such people lack that completely.

I'm not sure what the reason is for this. Some medications can put you into a bubble, for sure, and a lot of people are taking those medications. Xanax, for example, can have that effect in useful dosages. So can some antidepressants.

So can simply being barely capable of doing ordinary things. If such things require all of your attention, you will not notice what is around you.

Frustrating, isn't it?