Election good for people watching (11/8/04)

Last week’s election was a perfect opportunity to enjoy one of my favorite activities — people watching. This is the first time I have ever stood in line to vote. We are usually in and out of our polling place in less than five minutes. Not this time. I didn’t mind the extra half hour or so we spent hanging around the small church as it gave me ample time to observe my neighbors.

We had only been standing there a few minutes when we noticed an older lady who had just cast her ballot. She made her way slowly towards the door. She leaned heavily on her cane and it appeared to be very painful for her to walk. As she neared the entrance the two men behind me stepped out of the way. I was appalled that neither of them offered to open the door for her.

I held the door open and she told me thanks and that doors were hard for her to handle. I asked if she needed help to get to her car and she said no. I still don’t understand why grown men, who ought to know better, didn’t take it upon themselves to assist the woman. I guess all those years of “women’s lib” have taught them that women resent a little common courtesy. Still, anybody with any sense could see that she needed help. I just hope the day never comes when a simple door becomes a major challenge for them.

My mother has everyone in her family trained to hold doors for her automatically. We let her off as close as possible to the entrance of any place we take her and translate anything she doesn’t quite hear. We search out wheelchairs and offer our arms to steady her whether she needs it or not. I can’t imagine any of us stepping out of the way for someone who obviously needs assistance. We do not regard this as an inconvenience on our parts. It is as natural as breathing.

We were further entertained during our wait by the guy who leaned against the wall and inadvertently turned off the lights. He looked around in wonder with the rest of us. It wasn’t until the gentleman behind him flipped the switch back on that he realized what he had done. I am still puzzled as to why he couldn’t feel a light switch poking into his back.

The election workers were all professional and courteous. They were equally patient with those of us who had voted many times and those who needed more assistance with the new machines. They walked us through the process and stayed to assist the few who required even more extensive help.

I did have to wonder how those in wheelchairs were supposed to reach the machines. I guess there are other provisions available to make it simpler for them to vote.

The small children in line with their parents were remarkably well-behaved. It is a lot to ask of a little one to be still and relatively quiet for that long. Even the parents were well-behaved. It has been my experience that often it is the grown-ups, tired and cranky after a long day at work, who act more like two-year-olds than the actual toddlers do.

All in all, it was a good day for people-watching.[[In-content Ad]]