Recently, I stopped by a coffee shop after a day at the park with my child. Balancing a cup of coffee in one hand and groceries in the other while pushing a stroller is no easy feat, but I’ve learned to manage. As I approached the door to exit, I noticed a man heading out at the same time. I thought to myself, “Great! I won’t have to awkwardly maneuver backwards through the door.”
We made eye contact, and I smiled, expecting him to help me out. Instead, he let the door swing shut right in my face, slamming into my stroller, my groceries, and my little one. As he walked away, he flashed a smirk that seemed to convey, “Not my problem.”
That guy was infuriating, and while I wanted to react, I couldn’t help but ponder his perspective. Let’s refer to him as “Jake” for the sake of this narrative. Jake and I inhabit the same neighborhood, which is home to a growing number of parents I like to call the “I Don’t Care, Just Move” crowd. Others might refer to them as the “I Bring Everything for My Baby as if We’re Going Camping” group. For simplicity, I’ll just call them “Oblivious Parents.”
To recap: inconsiderate Brooklyn parents = Oblivious Parents. The man who slammed the door in my face = Jake.
I have a lightweight $20 umbrella stroller that I use when I know I’ll be in crowded places. It’s not the most comfortable for my child, but it’s compact enough to navigate through a store without causing a scene. Unfortunately, the Oblivious Parents seem to have no regard for the space they occupy with their monstrous strollers. They waltz into brunch spots, expecting a table large enough for their entire crew without a thought about the patrons already crammed inside. Those strollers are so large and cumbersome, it feels like they’re on a mission to conquer the world, not just transport a child.
They roll in, oblivious to the toes they’ve stepped on, displacing bags and bumping into anyone unfortunate enough to be in their way. And once they’ve parked their stroller, it’s as if they’ve set up a camp, completely disregarding anyone else’s dining experience. This, of course, drives Jake nuts. He’s left to wonder how parents can be so self-absorbed, and he’s not alone in his frustration.
This morning, as Jake leaves the restaurant, he encounters yet another oversized stroller blocking the narrow sidewalk. It’s akin to a businessman wielding a massive golf umbrella in a crowded Midtown street during rush hour—effective but entirely inconsiderate. This only adds to Jake’s growing annoyance, and his day is already off to a bad start.
When Jake finally makes it to his favorite coffee shop, he spots me navigating my modest stroller with care. But instead of seeing a considerate parent, he sees just another stroller—a giant one, in his eyes—and an inconsiderate mom. He waits a moment longer, relishing the chance to let the door slam behind him, feeling justified in his irritation.
Thanks to the Oblivious Parents, parents like me are being unfairly judged. If you have a child, you’re automatically perceived as a nuisance. Doors go unheld, sidewalks are blocked, and basic courtesies seem to vanish. It’s exasperating.
So listen up, Oblivious Parents: be thoughtful about your giant strollers. Yes, having a baby is a significant milestone, but that doesn’t mean you can expect the world to cater to your needs. Space is limited in Brooklyn, and you definitely don’t need to pack a full week’s worth of supplies for a short outing. Carrying a massive diaper bag filled with unnecessary items is just overkill.
While my request for consideration might seem selfish, it’s really about simple courtesy. I hold doors for folks balancing packages, and if it weren’t for the Oblivious Parents, maybe Jake would have held the door for me too.
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In summary, the oversized strollers prevalent among some parents are causing frustration for others in public spaces. Basic courtesy can go a long way in easing these tensions, ensuring that everyone can coexist more harmoniously.
Keyphrase: oversized strollers
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