Knowing how to co-exist with others in a compact, urban environment is a necessity in this city. I often look the other way when it comes to bad umbrella etiquette or sidewalk spitting. I have also become a pro at dodging and circumventing slow walkers. I even step aside without complaints for the occasional, rogue skateboarder. However, something recently is almost driving me to the brink of losing it.

I work near the an art school in Gastown. When I leave work every day, there is usually a group of students whom I imagine are finished for the day. They are all standing in front of their school with their matching knapsacks, skinny jeans, and toques. Now I’m not talking about 5-6 people. No, I’m talking about 20-30 bodies just standing there. Right on the corner. Blocking the sidewalk for half a block. And they’re talking. Or hugging. Or laughing Or smoking. Or yelling really loudly to their colleagues who are crossing the street. Or doing it all at once. And it makes navigating through the street corner extremely difficult.

At first I would just find the gaps and zigzag through the mob. Now I just walk straight-ahead and hope for the best. In the process I often shoulder-bump a few people. No one seems to notice. It’s just bizarre. Looking at these students, it’s fair to say they’re mostly in their early to mid-20s. So, young people (to me). Their complete lack of common sense is just astounding. And they seem oblivious to how their actions affect others around them.

I have visions of attaching spikes to my legs and running through that hipster crowd, taking everyone out at the knees (and piercing their skinny pants in the process). Or filling my large, shoulder bag with a dozen, navel oranges and swinging it over my head as I parade through the swarming students. Or, worse of all, I envision myself yelling out to nobody in particular (but directed to them, of course): “Don’t just stand in the freaking sidewalk! Don’t you see that you’re blocking it for everybody else? Where is your common sense?”

And that last one is the worst because it makes me feel old. I was definitely once that young person who probably spoke or laughed too loud in public settings. Or didn’t pay attention to my surrounding and inconvenienced people in the process. Oh yes. I remember those days.

Sigh. For now, I’ll probably just continue my zigzag detour outside my office door and roll my eyes. Because I know young people will never change.