What kind of philosophy do have while walking on the sidewalk?
Do you keep to the right or the left side of the sidewalk? Do you yield if someone is walking toward you in your path of travel, or do you expect him or her to yield? Do you look at people walking toward you, or do you avert your eyes and look down? Do you greet people as you're walking with a "Good Morning" wish? Do you stop and try to pet a dog being walked? Do you cuff your kid up side the head while yelling at him while you're walking, or do you stop and then do that?
And if you're walking to the court house on the extreme right side of the wide sidewalk, right next to the buildings, looking ahead at the hefty guy striding directly toward you, do you look him in the right eye, nod your head to him as he is approaching, and knock the mother fucker on his ass when he doesn't move to his right and then say to him, "Excuse me"?
Just what is the proper sidewalk-walking etiquette in that latter circumstance?
Posted by Bill at January 22, 2008 11:44 AM
I typically walk on the right side of the sidewalk. If somebody is walking directly at me, I'll either yield or stop dead in my tracks, forcing them to go around. My eyes are usually all over the place; if I know the area, I'll walk looking at people ... if I don't, I'll be scanning the area. I say "good morning" to some people, usually just a head nod though. I don't try to pet a dog being walked unless I know the person ... and then I talk to the person and THEN pet the dog. I stop to cuff and yell at my kid.
As for the hefty dude ... I'd stop, make him go around, then push him from behind, knock him on his ass, and maybe a good kick or two for good measure.
Posted by: tj at January 22, 2008 12:02 PMI'm a moody walker. Sometimes very social, I like to be friendly. And the people in my favorite walking area are usually nice. I like to greet dogs, and they can sniff my hand, but I don't pet unless invited. I love them, they know I'm cool, but it's a boundary thing. ... At other times, I just want to be alone with my podcasts. In that mood, only dogs, children and the elderly block my path with impunity. I might bite.
Posted by: Kyle at January 23, 2008 03:37 AMI had to learn to walk on the right here surprisingly enough. I'm no good at eye contact. I look in the shop windows.
I think if there was a hefty guy I would try my best not to look like I feel like a victim. They can sense if you feel like a victim..
Posted by: Anji at January 23, 2008 06:23 AM