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Nigel7
Guest
Beg? A simple “excuse me” doesn’t normally suffice?
In that case then I suggest going around and entering via the other side, or simply find another pew.
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In that case then I suggest going around and entering via the other side, or simply find another pew.
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Armor_of_Light
Guest
Same reason you assume I’m late I suppose. I’ve covered my position on this extensively by now. I can assume you did not read the whole thing…and who can blame you? Lots of stuff on here today.Why is the onus on you? Because you got there late. Why is the onus on us to sit in the middle “in case” someone comes in? Some of us are used to filling the ends and spreading out to make it look fuller from daily Mass. It seems like you are expecting everyone to revolve around you…not even wanting to ask.I don’t know why you assume that the person sitting on the end is relaxed or well rested or care-free. My husband and I are a childless couple and if you assumed that about me you would be dead wrong!
No- I don’t expect special treatment because of children.
I just wanted to hear the reasons for pew blocking, and I got those.
I think the #1 reason is: “cuz I don’t feel like sitting in the middle”
With “cuz I have anxiety” a close second. Fair enough…Now I know what I have to do to not have to bother anyone to move, and what kind of attitude I can expect if I do have to bother someone, and also…what attitude to have if I’m sitting there and someone asks me to move.
BTW…who is this ‘us’ you speak of?
So good advice everyone!
See you Sunday
I’ll save a spot for ya…although it will probably have baby spit-up on it. 
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ringil
Guest
A considerate person would get up and let the other individual through, not simply let them walk in front of them.
If you want the end of the pew or the end of the aisle then get there earlier.
I have a toddler and we always manage to sit at the end as we arrive to have one. We also always sit in the last three pew rows. I hate to think that my family and I would disturb another person there for mass. It is my wife and my responsibility to cause as little disruption as we can.
I remember not having kids and how disruptive they can be- but worse than that are the parents who believe that if their kids cause a fuss it’s OK and others should be more understanding. When I take my daughter on the plane I apologize to everyone around me in advance for the inevitable annoyance of my child’s behavior.
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pnewton
Guest
This suggestion is what I do. First come seating, yet the person on the end only gets one spot. Be polite and see which they prefer.
If someone was stubborn and said neither, that they wanted to sit in an empty pew, then I probably would get persnickity and go from the other side and siddle right up against him, or let the kids sit next to him.
I don’t think “pew blockers” or those who arrive at the last minute and expect others to give up the spot on the end to them, either one has the moral high ground. I personally always go to the middle to sit. If I run late, I assume I will be in the middle unless the person on the end moves over to keep me from crawling across.
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Armor_of_Light
Guest
I’m glad…It has made me laugh, too. I started this with a rant, and in a bad mood (fully disclosed in post #1) and now I feel a lot better.
Made me thankful for my blessing of a family and extra thankful that even with the chaos of Sunday mornings I have it pretty good. God be praised!
I hope all those with ‘anxiety’ get the help they need. What cures that anyway?
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pnewton
Guest
Why didn’t you just move over and give her room?
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maltmom
Guest
John of Woking;9854623:
I usually sit in the same area. If someone is sitting in the place try to get then I just sit in another pew. It’s not a big deal. I’ve never had anyone come up to me and tell me I was in their seat. I don’t know how I’d react. I may have trouble not laughing out loud.Ok now what about those people who always sit in the same seat? Do you get annoyed when someone sits in YOUR seat/pew/end of pew?
I’ve only had someone join me in my pew once. As they walked up, I jumped up to let them in and smiled. I’m sure I also said good morning. I wouldn’t want anyone’s bum in my face. Besides, I can’t see making someone crawl over you.
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shipwrkd
Guest
Nice post Armor…so far we have onus’s being given, blame being assigned and a bunch of other stuff happening over something as earth shattering as a seat I love it and it’s been more interesting then hanging around the water cooler. I’ll look for ya on Sunday and do save that seat for me, I’m OK with baby spit…Could ya make that an isle seat please:tiphat:Same reason you assume I’m late I suppose. I’ve covered my position on this extensively by now. I can assume you did not read the whole thing…and who can blame you? Lots of stuff on here today.
No- I don’t expect special treatment because of children.
I just wanted to hear the reasons for pew blocking, and I got those.
I think the #1 reason is: “cuz I don’t feel like sitting in the middle”
With “cuz I have anxiety” a close second. Fair enough…Now I know what I have to do to not have to bother anyone to move, and what kind of attitude I can expect if I do have to bother someone, and also…what attitude to have if I’m sitting there and someone asks me to move.
BTW…who is this ‘us’ you speak of?
So good advice everyone!
See you Sunday
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pnewton
Guest
Maybe we could auction the aisle seats to make up funding shortfalls.
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shipwrkd
Guest
Woaw! Great idea. Perhaps I should hang around a bit longer…it may still have life to it
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zab
Guest
LOL! Our parish has done that too. I don’t know what happens if the parking spot holder shows up and that spot is taken.Our old parish auctioned off parking spots!
Never had enough liquid cash to buy one though…Too many kids to feed!
Hmmmm. Maybe we need to have our own parish tow lot and those that get towed have to ransom their cars by contributing to our building fund.
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ProVobis
Guest
I like those churches which have seating next to the wall or windows. No usher will ask you to move if don’t anywhere to move. And you can focus on the readings without the distractions.
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Armor_of_Light
Guest
Oh…I think by reading this thread you can guess what happens to the parking-spot-stealer!LOL! Our parish has done that too. I don’t know what happens if the parking spot holder shows up and that spot is taken.
Hmmmm. Maybe we need to have our own parish tow lot and those that get towed have to ransom their cars by contributing to our building fund.
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mymamamary
Guest
The fact that this thread has gone on for 9 pages is ridiculous. Some of these posts are tinted with a lack charity and this thread has become nothing but a bickering board. May I suggest two things:
- The Original Poster has a point. This is Church, not a stadium. Be considerate on your seating choice.
- The fact that some people are filled with sensitivity at such things is stunning at best, saddening at worse. Come on, Its PEW SEATING that we are arguing over. So my second suggestion is like my first: 1. be considerate and cool it.
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Bruised_Reed
Guest
In most cases I would move in but there are other times in which I would stand, give them room to enter the pew and sit down at the end. I don’t want to have people crawling over me to get out of the pew but I don’t wan to crawl over others to get out either. But if I’m at the end I can still stand and step away to let people out; if I’m in the middle of the pew i have to do that smushing my knees to one side to give them room to pass.
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pnewton
Guest
The Original Poster had a rant. She has a point, as do the ones who sit on the end. They both have a point. Likewise there is failing in both positions if carried to the point of conflict or anger.
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Armor_of_Light
Guest
Thank you. You Canadians are sure polite!
Stunning…yes…I am stunned. Blessed are the peacemakers.
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