To the distinguished-looking but poorly behaved man in his mid-50s wearing a gray suit in ATL Terminal E—you are a total jerk! We were minding our own business at the Delta gate waiting for an international flight, wearing KN95 masks (which look like duck bills). Because of an autoimmune disease that impacts my lungs, I have to wear a mask in enclosed areas. This jerk makes deliberate eye contact and starts quacking loudly at us. ‘Quack! Quack, quack, quack!’ Why would anyone act like such a jerk? I don’t want to assume what he was thinking, but it’s difficult not to. [Sigh]. Update: First, thanks to everyone who commented. I appreciate the support and ideas. I’ll be ready for the next time this happens (I say ‘when’ because as long as I’m masking, I expect to run into more jerks). I received many suggestions—some I’ll use, others aren’t for me. Ultimately, I’m reminded of a James Clear quote: ‘If someone is acting like a fool, you can just move on and let them be wrong. You aren’t obligated to fix people who are committed to being ignorant. Occasionally you might need to try to find common ground, but typically you can just take back your time and move on to better things.’ I think that’s the path I’ll take, though I admit I do like the idea of quacking back! Best to everyone and safe travels!
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I’m immunocompromised and wear masks often. I’ve done this several times, and while I’m not exactly proud of it, whenever someone makes a comment about my mask, I tell them, ‘Oh, I’m wearing this to protect you from what I have! But I can take it off if that makes you more comfortable.’ No one has ever taken me up on the offer. I don’t understand why people are so bothered by me wearing a mask. It isn’t hurting them, but they still feel the need to say something.
As a former coworker used to remark, ‘the trouble with the public is that some individuals shouldn’t be permitted out in public.’
My mom was once scolded by another traveler for wearing a mask during a flight. She had terminal cancer. 