u/popciclecity

To the older gentleman at the Skokie Farmer's Market this morning who didn't like being told to stop touching my back: DON'T TOUCH PEOPLE YOU DO NOT KNOW.

I wasn't rude for telling you not to touch me, YOU were rude for touching me. You saying "excuse me" doesn't make it acceptable to place your full hand on my lower back and oh so gently push me out of your way. Use your words, not your hands.

Basically the title. It's mid-May, sunny and warm. Twice already this week, at the stop sign by my house, I have had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting a child on a mini bike flying into the intersection from the sidewalk. Both times, these kids were going so fast they appeared out of nowhere. My head is already on a swivel when it gets warm out, but two close calls before school is even out has put me on high alert.

Clearly, they are having an amazing time on these things. But you and I will both be devastated if I or someone else hits one of them. You bought them the minibike, so it's your job to explain to them that they now share the road with bicycles, people walking and cars. If you bought one for your kid, explain to them that they share responsibility for their own and others' safety.