Dear you,

Disclaimer: If you easily get offended, please feel free to stop reading this open letter to all the slow walkers who mess with my tranquility.

And no, this rant is not for those who have a legitimate reason to travel by the step, a.k.a the elder folks. I like you. I am talking about the ones who stand in front of my runway with their sluggish catwalk.

Let me begin by asking, who do you think you are? I know you notice me from the corner of your eye. Do not ignore me and continue to walk, it’s rude.

What’s your deal?

Seriously, what goes through your head the moment you decide to cut someone off? You are ruining my slight possibility of actually showing up to class on time. As if it was not enough, you are taking away my non-refundable time. Time is important, Linda. Unless you can return the seconds that could have lead me to meeting the love of my life, I do not like you.

Where do you come from?

You are everywhere I go. You are there in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. Rain or shine, you manage to stand in front of my yellow brick road. The urge to step on the back of your shoe is there but instead, I am forced to give you a fake smile implicating “you’re fine.” In reality, between you and me, the tightness of my smile communicates rage.

I have an idea! You were hired to interrupt public peace, weren’t you? I sometimes imagine how nice it must be to have your kind of time. Life must be picture perfect to be walking with such calmness. Hate to burst your bubble, but I have places to be and people to meet. Time is money and you are taking it from me. Think of the many places you could be at besides here, with me. So leave my path.

Reality check: you do not own the sidewalk honey.

Sure, let the 21-year-old educate you on a life lesson. Share the sidewalk, the aisle, the space, whatever you want to call it. I am a college student and I am tired. There is also a high possibility I have not eaten, increasing the chances of having a bad attitude. Please, do not make me use the last bit of energy I contain to make my way around your sluggish walk. Move aside.

Do not get me wrong. I am not asking you to run either. I am simply stating a nice little power walk will not hurt you. In fact, there are health benefits that may motivate you to take this serious matter into consideration. Power walking has physical and mental health benefits such as improving circulation, endurance and posture. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases, anxiety, depression and weight gain.

So, what is the big deal? Let me, help you become a better person. Do not get offended if I push you along. Let’s do each other the favor in leading my runway in a synchronized manner. Is that too much to ask for? It is a “win-win” type of situation. Be happy.

So the next time you see me working my runway MOVE. A girl needs her shine. Please and thank you.

Sincerely,

Janette Estrada