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Got Plans? Redux: Out-of-Towners and 'Squeezers'
Two themes emerged in today's chat. We asked you to tell us how you entertain visitors and you responded with a bunch of off-the-beaten-path ideas like the Kreeger Museum, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Locke Modern Country Store in Millwood, Va. We also talked a lot about "squeezers," a term coined by chat readers Jimmy and Yvonne to describe Wolf Trap concert-goers who "obtrusively and rudely" push their way into general admission concerts after others have clearly staked out spots. We also talked about parking near Artomatic, vegetarian dining and ice cream stands. Read the full transcript here.
There was one question that came in after the chat ended that I thought was worth posting here to see what you guys thought.
Washington, D.C.: I have a question less about happening events and more about the people who live in D.C. I saw a blurb in the Express [scroll down] and Washington Post about how D.C. is incredibly unfriendly and had my own recent experience with this. I tore my ACL, had surgery and had an enormous brace on my leg for six weeks. I named the brace "Destiny" sure that "Destiny" would help me start endless conversations and meet plenty of new friends or potential dates. In those six weeks of riding the Metro or bus twice a day, only three people offered me their seats but EVERYONE stared at the brace. I also tried to go to a bar one night and asked a girl to give me a seat that she was "saving" with her purse and she declined. I was shocked. What's up with that behavior? Where is the hospitality??? What joints should I frequent if I like nicer behavior?
-Destiny undelivered
Destiny's story struck me as a sad one. Wanted to know what you guys thought. Tell us your tales of kindness and rudeness handed down by strangers. Or let us know why you think Washingtonians are thought of as such an unfriendly tribe. And if you have any bar suggestions for Destiny, let her know. I'd point her in the direction of small neighborhood spots like Galaxy Hut, Tonic or Aroma.
-- Julia
By
Julia Beizer
| June 19, 2009; 9:00 AM ET
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Posted by: SAF_dc | June 19, 2009 12:18 PM | Report abuse
Unfortunately a regular treatment here. You don't have to be disabled to get roughshod - people around here will knock you over to get on, off, in or out of something, run you down in the streets, crawl up your back in any line and then there's the driving !
Posted by: mypostid5 | June 22, 2009 1:44 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
I have a different experience. I spent 6 months with a cane, had surgery, and then had (in order) a walker, crutches, and then a few more months with a cane. Oh, and a few months of that included a brace.
On the train, people would push past me to get to the cripple seats. On the bus, I was offered seats, help getting on and off, help holding stuff...
In bars, I always had a seat. Then again, I tend to go to the small neighborhood bars.
At the ballgame, people would push past me to get to the elevator, and would push me to get out of the elevator when I wasn't fast enough. But on the concourse, they were helpful, and carried my food, and offered to get me beers...
It's all in the context.