Sidewalk Etiquette

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  • #603727
    hanab
    Member

    What is the proper etiquette when two or three people are walking on a sidewalk and another person is coming from the opposite direction? Am I expected to step into the grass or road in order to allow the two or three friends to continue to walk together, or would it be proper for them to acknowledge that the sidewalk is generally designed for two-way traffic, and move into a single-file configuration to allow the person coming the other way to pass?

    And, if the latter, do you think that people are just in their own little world and don’t notice someone else coming, or aren’t aware that there are others in the world, or what?

    #879694
    Tomche
    Member

    The group needs to make room for the single. They can’t monopolize the entire width of the sidewalk.

    #879695
    Tomche
    Member

    Personally, when I am walking alone and there is a group coming that doesn’t seem to want to make room for anyone else on the sidewalk, I simply continue walking full-speed toward them and inevitably the person on the side will quickly move aside (sometimes at the last second) as I am passing in order to avoid bumping into me.

    #879696
    hanab
    Member

    Sometimes I think seriously of doing that, but it doesn’t seem so ladylike. Still, if I do move aside, I come home stewing…which is not very healthy.

    #879697
    Tomche
    Member

    Perhaps it isn’t and is more manlike. In any event, for the most part I usually find this problem with a bunch of over-talkative women.

    #879698
    ZeesKite
    Participant

    THAT is my biggest fright of walking the streets in New York. Anyways, what I do in this most sticky situation is crouch towards the inner side, towards the house or something. If the guy doesn’t move over, he’ll HAVE TO run straight into a stationary me. Me? Iv’e got all the time, I can wait… I just don’t think it’s proper for someone to push me into the street, (or doggy restroom).

    #879699
    HaLeiVi
    Participant

    Small boats move for larger boats. Both airplanes turn right. Single stroller moves for double stroller. Walking man moves for stationary man. Queen’s boat moves for lighthouse.

    If you don’t want to walk straight in or move aside, do what ZeesKite does, stand still. I also usually move to the building which leaves out the option of being forced into the street.

    #879700
    Tomche
    Member

    Yes, I do that too; walk on the side of the building, in addition to charging ahead.

    #879701
    2scents
    Participant

    I just move to the side.

    I usually go triple the speed of those going in groups. Which means that this situation lasts for less than a second.

    #879702
    Tomche
    Member

    hanab: For yourself, that is probably the best approach. Walk all the way on the side of the building (or property) rather than on the side of the street. This way they have to make room for you, since there is no where for them to push you off into.

    #879703
    hanab
    Member

    Ah, clearly most of you folks are city mice. But I am a country mouse, and the alternative to the ‘doggy restroom’ is somebody’s lawn. Also since in the U.S. cars drive on the right, I figure walking on the sidewalk should be to the right as well.

    “Small boats move for larger boats. Both airplanes turn right. Single stroller moves for double stroller. Walking man moves for stationary man. Queen’s boat moves for lighthouse.”

    And, if you are a gentleman, you should move aside for a lady. But not in Williamsburg, I understand.

    “In any event, for the most part I usually find this problem with a bunch of over-talkative women.” – well, my experience has been with rude and oblivious men.

    But I think I will try, next time, to look down and march ahead. Let them ignore me at their peril!

    #879704
    TheGoq
    Participant

    This is a pet peeve of mine in this country we walk on the right and personally i dont care if you are with a bunch of friends go single file im not stepping in the dirt just so you can walk all over me.

    #879705
    ZeesKite
    Participant

    This bring to mind a story I heard of the saintly Chofetz Chaim. He once stepped aside for a gentile neighbor. Said he – “that man will live a long life”.

    He actually did!

    #879706
    Song of Blessing
    Participant

    growing up in a city where most of the time a group specially of non jewish guys would walk straight into you without blinking I tend to dodge to the side. And hanab – yeah its annoying but if they’re so rude then they’re not worth your time or frustration… take a deep breath and know you’re better than them and go on with you’re day 🙂

    #879707

    Hoe about saying, “excuse me”?

    #879708
    oomis
    Participant

    Much of what we call “good manners” is simply a matter ofcommonsense and menschlechkeit. If abunch of people of walking in a row, hogging up space, they should realize that they need to momentarily “single file” it for the oncoming pedestrian. Otherwise, they are just bulvanim.

    #879710
    Song of Blessing
    Participant

    DassYochid: If you’d say “excuse me” to these people you’d be asking to get beaten up.. or pushed over… trust me… im talking about low lifes…

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