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Sorry to disagree, Carolyn, but we took kids to the Jamestown Parade, they scrambled for candy, and we all had a great time. Saw no problems with anyone being able to watch the parade. Just wish they had not thrown candy canes. They were shattered when they hit the street. Merry Christmas to all.

Carol, do you really think the people causing the problems are going to admit that there is a problem?

I suggest Carolyn never go to a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. She's lose her mind.

Sure don't WAJ. Maybe the folks in Jamestown are just nicer than those in more refined areas, such as Greensboro, according to DD. Still ticked off about his comment about one of the nicest places in NC.

Interesting letter, Carolyn, though I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion that your experience with a few jackasses means that throwing candy needs to be banned.

Half of what makes a parade fun is the candy throwing.

I agree with you guys. I hate I missed the Jamestown parade. Like Carol, I think it is the best one in Guilford county. Of course, it is during the daytime. Maybe that makes some differenc?

I also basically agree that the parade IS for kids more than the rest of us. Part of a parade is the fun of watching the kids scramble for candy. I've never been to a parade in my life where you could sit on the curb and expect to have a front row seat. Usually, even when parades put up barriers or ropes, they are several feet from the curb.

Perhaps there could be a solution where the town could put in a disabled section on a hill or on some type of raised platform so that they can enjoy the show.

I know there are always different perspectives but I have a hard time believing that a father would shove his kids in front of oncoming cars.

...unless they were throwing out full-size Snicker bars.

I actually laughed out loud, nitpicker. Well done.

I would never go to the parade without kids myself. I would look like a jerk if I collected candy. With them, I can pretend I am helping and pocket a few chocolate treats. Got to keep my energy up. As was said, watching the kids is where I get most of my fun. It is also a great way to see folks you know and visit and yell at friends in the parade.

Denz,

Thanks for positive reinforcement!

Carol,

So funny and so true. Thankfully, my kids always liked the nonchocolate variety of candy. They were more than willing to let me have the chocolate and the peppermint.

What Mrs. Nittler is complaining about is the lack of courtesy she was shown at the parade. I don't really know if inconsideration of others is more rampant now than in the past, but it is a problem. She did ask the father to move so that she could see, and he rudely refused.

nitpicker, you're exactly right that parades are for children. This should include Mrs. Nittler's two grandsons who were in the parade. They lost the chance to hear from their grandparents, "I saw you in the parade and I was so proud of you." Instead, they heard, "We went to the parade to watch you, but some rude people wouldn't let us see."

beadbaby,

I agree with what you're saying. Common courtesy is running low in this country.

I also think its unfortunate that these folks didn't get to see their grandchildren.

However, I also wonder exactly how they asked this father to 'move out of our view'. If I was there with my kids and people were sitting back on the curb and then got up and tapped me on the shoulder and say to get my kids out of their way, my response may have been a similar one.

If it were my grandchildren who were in the parade, rather than leaving (regardless of how rude this guy was), I'd move until I found a view of my grandkids. I've been at parades where I had full view and missed seeing my kids on the float due to the fact that they were one of many on the float. I didn't make them feel bad about it, though. Just told them I was proud of them and moved on.

nitpicker, you're quite right to point out that Mr. Nittler may have asked rudely. However, Mrs. Nittler stated that she had problems so that she can't stand (or presumably walk) for a long time. It sounds to me like she really couldn't move, that she's partially disabled.

"However, Mrs. Nittler stated that she had problems so that she can't stand (or presumably walk) for a long time."

Therefore... we must BAN CANDY!!11

Really- she had a good letter about people in crowds being jerks and went the wrong way.

Nit,

Beadbaby is right; you are speaking as an able-bodied, maybe mid thirties person. Ms. Nittler said she had a disability and has grandchildren (which would make her older than you). I know from personal experience some thoughtless slob can change your abliness in a flash (one day I had no disabilities; the next day I did). Therefore I can empathize with her ruined day.

You see, those grandchildren wanted their grandparents to see them in their place of prominance. They look for the loving and proud faces of their grandparents. And as a grandparent, I can tell you I want my grandchildren to know I am there for them, no matter what. For children, this means SEEING their grandparents.

I know, without her saying a word, it would have made no difference in the way she asked the man to move. We live in such a rude, me-first, to hell with you, fallen world. The exceptions are unusually sweet and the rules are unusually rude.

Your idea of a disabled section is an excellent solution to a real problem. I sincerely hope that catches on. I quit going to parades several years ago when my own disability made it impossible for me to stand more than a few minutes. I took a chair one year but found all I saw was the rumps of those who pushed in front of me.