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A Bad Day at the Beach

Retirement Reflections

Only three days ago, I posted about our morning walks to the ocean. Coffees in tow, scores of wildlife and a comfortable lack of crowds.

What a difference a couple of days can make.

This morning when we headed off, it was cold but dry…with a couple of pesky dark clouds on the horizon. Still, we continued. We treated ourselves to coffee and freshly baked muffins. Grey skies couldn’t ruin our morning.

As soon as we hit the beach, the rain began at an increasingly steady pace. We took shelter at the covered end of the boardwalk, sitting on a small but ample ledge. There was plenty of room to keep a safe distance from anyone else passing by. Or so we thought.

Soon the crowds began. Okay, perhaps six other people…but still! With our large (and incredibly timid) foster dog as the main attraction, I became concerned about our sudden lack of personal space. I answered questions politely and squirmed tighter into the ledge. Anyone could see that I was uncomfortable. Again, so I thought.

Eventually, the mini-crowd dispersed, and we were back on our own. Had we left right then, it still would have been a good day at the beach. Past tense.

Suddenly, one of the women who had been part of the group of six returned solo. She looked friendly and kind. She made quick conversation and asked if she could pet our dog. As politely as I could, I replied that we were asking others not to do so. Not wanting to always throw Richard under the bus, I gently added that we were being cautious as we are both immune-compromised.

Instant fury!! You swore that I had denied her a fundamental human right, or hurled insults about her mother.

Verbally pouncing, she shrieked, “Oh, so you believe all the government hype?!” Her eyes were like daggers.

Definitely being a “flight, no fight” kinda gal, I shrunk further into the ledge, waiting for this to be a joke…or to simply pass.

But Richard — absolutely no flight in this man, confidently and assertively stated, “Government hype? I don’t think so.”

That unleashed more verbal outpouring on her part, most of which my stunned brain simply could not keep up with. She ended in a huff, saying, “Don’t believe me? Google it!”

Now there’s a reliable source.

She then dramatically stomped off.

So my soul-soothing morning at the beach? Totally ruined.

But Richard quite enjoyed it, continually coming up with interesting arguments all of the way home.

As for our dog, her wagging tail suggested that this was just another perfect morning out…only wetter!

Photo by Eutah Mizushima on Unsplash

 

 

 

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

135 thoughts on “A Bad Day at the Beach”

  1. Yikes Donna…anit-intellectualism at work. Why should we listen to doctors and scientists who have made it their life’s work to study epidemiology and disease?
    I’ve run into it a lot, lately. Mostly online. But I get so infuriated with people who will not wear a mask and keep 6 feet. Even if they don’t care for their health, have a care for mine!
    My brother has been volunteering as an ER doc at the Javitts Ctr in NYC. This is not a hoax.

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    1. Hi, Nancy – Absolutely! The woman’s disrespectfulness, and immediate harsh judgement, truly shocked me. Richard and I returned to the same beach this morning. I saw a (poorly) hand-painted rock saying “COVID-19 Hysteria”. I kicked the rock over with my boot so it could be read unless flipped over again. Why do people choose to pass on meanness and disrespect?

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  2. Government hype?! I wonder what death toll it would take to get people like this into reality. Sadly I sometimes think it would take a critical illness within their own circle to make any impression. I’m sorry you had to endure this.

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your kind supportive words. After this experience, I saw a message on Facebook that really made sense to me. I believe that it will make a big difference in everyone moving forward. It stated:
      “As governments are trying to figure out how to ease back in to a new normal, please remember:
      🛑 Some people don’t agree with the suggested re opening…. that’s okay. Be kind.
      🏡 Some people are still planning to stay home…. that’s okay. Be kind.
      🦠 Some are still scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening….
      that’s okay. Be kind.
      💰 Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may possibly save their business or their homes….that’s okay. Be kind.
      👩🏾‍⚕️Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off….that’s okay. Be kind.
      📝 Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job….that’s okay. Be kind.
      😷 Some will wear masks for weeks….that’s okay. Be kind.
      💅🏻 Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done…. that’s okay. Be kind.
      ❤️ The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be kind.
      We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home. But be kind.
      If you need to go out, just respect others when in public and be kind!
      Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story.
      We all are in different Financial – and – Mental states than we were months ago. So remember, be kind.”

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    1. Thank you so much for dropping by. I love black and white photos too.
      Unfortunately, this photo was not taken by me (I wish that it had been)! 😀
      It is from Unsplash. i greatly appreciate the generosity of the photographers there.

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  5. So sorry to hear about your unpleasant time at the beach. It must have been really unnerving to see people crowd around you and then to have that lady assert her opinion on you was uncalled for. As per your comment earlier to Sue, everyone is entitled to their own and opinion and we should all agree to disagree and live our own lives. The virus does not discriminate and it’s always better to be safe and sorry. Here in Australia things are getting better and in some parts of the country restrictions are being relaxed. We’re still required to social distance but from some photos in the news, doesn’t seem that way. Hopefully more of us get some common sense soon enough. Take care and stay safe 🙂

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  6. What an awful experience!

    I can’t believe that with the rising death tolls around the world that people can still believe the lies governments are sprucing. What does it take to believe the science and death numbers…

    Perhaps people want to take the Ostrich approach as it’s not as confronting.

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  7. Donna, I guess I live in a rose-tinged world, because I’ve been lucky enough not to have encountered anyone like that woman (I’m excluding, of course, TV and all electronic media). The worst I’ve seen is people planting themselves in the middle of a one-way grocery aisle for a long chat, making it hard to get around them. I like your list of reasons to be kind as we start reducing restrictions.

    Jude

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    1. Hi, Jude – I agree that blatantly rude attitudes like that are unusual in this neck of the woods. So much so, this made here ‘bite’ sting even more. It is a good reminder to go that extra mile to be respectful — even when our own beliefs differ.

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  8. What a foolish woman she was ignoring your polite request – and sorry that you had to experience this. It is a matter of respect. Some people are still not only respect for others, but also they are still learning that others may disagree or have a different perspective than them.

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