this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2025
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I'm only mad if they don't have handicap signage on their vehicle, because a lot of disabilities aren't immediately apparent. For example, my sister-in-law has been diagnosed w/ POTS, but can walk unassisted over moderate distances and frequently doesn't bother w/ a wheelchair (leaning on a cart is usually good enough). However, some days it's much worse, and getting back to the car can be a real struggle. She usually carries a pop-up stool in case she needs a rest, so that would be the only indicator (and hers is pretty compact and not super obvious at what it is).
I'm pretty sure nobody actually cares who rides an escalator, and if they do, they could see a cane and quickly conclude why they made that choice.
but then you understand it, because some people get really mad at people with signage that don't have visible disability. and the illusion of choice presented on this picture is part of that mindset.
analysing things like this is never about the consequences for a single person, but the consequences on the thought patterns of the society that puts these up and have them in their mind while going about their day.
if someone hurls a misguided insult at you for not taking the stairs, no biggie. if society at large quietly shuns you for it, that's not gonna be good for your mental health in the long run.
Sure, some people are douchebags. I highly doubt that is any kind of majority, just a very vocal minority.
I doubt most people would even look at this sign, and most of those that do probably won't care one way or another if a visibly fit person takes the escalator. They might snigger a bit to their friends after (hey, I saw a dumb westerner taking the escalator, they obviously don't care about health), but if this really is Korea, nobody will say or do anything about it, even if it's someone they know.
I may be completely misguided here, but that's my take from having been married to a Korean (moved from Korea after finishing K-12) for over 10 years (assuming this is Korea; the white text certainly isn't Korean, but I can't make out the black text). Nobody says anything to strangers in public, and especially not something that could embarrass them...
in Scandinavian culture there's this thing called Janteloven. it's from a Danish book about a guy that moves to a small town and is basically silently bullied by its population. it's related to tall poppy syndrome in that it describes how society does "othering". basically, if you are in any way different you will become an outcast, not because anyone does anything to you, but because nobody does anything for you.
if you're a tourist it's whatever. if you live there it can be soul crushing.
Yeah, I can certainly see that. I live in an area with a strong local demographic, and if you're different, you won't fit it. Everyone goes to the same church, does similar activities, etc, and if you don't fit in to that, you're essentially alone in a sea of people.