Side walk etiquette
By ladygator
@ladygator (3465)
United States
July 25, 2012 11:27am CST
I am wondering how many others get so annoyed with people while walking on the sidewalk? It really amazes me and infuriates me that people are so darn rude walking on the sidewalk. The people that I encounter on a regular basis are really oblivious to the other people that are also walking there. There will be a group of 2 or more and they will just stay where they are, sometimes forcing me off the sidewalk. I am usually a very kind person but when they do this I just want to put my elbows out a little to hold my space. And if they shared we could just walk with ease right past one another. And I also want to just tell them that I need my space to walk on the sidewalk also!!
1 person likes this
14 responses
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
These are very wise words reimpie9. I will work on this because it really just annoys me and I end up being mad about it for a few days and it does nothing but make me on edge when I get up to go on another journey.
Have a great evening.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
29 Jul 12
No I am working to be a more calm person. It tends to be hard for me to to just let things roll off my back. It has to do with the way that I process my stress and appropriate reactions to everything. Yesterday I had an okay time on the sidewalk. I just walked in the center of the sidewalk and they were kind and let me pass by.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
19 Sep 12
I have begun to put my arms our a little and walk further to the center. With my head up high and send out a vibe of confidence. The last time I was walking down the street I did this and they sure did move over. But the one guy that moved over seemed a little annoyed. But I had a small sense of satisfaction behind me.
@homeshoppers (6166)
• Philippines
26 Jul 12
I understand your sentiment coz i used to be with that before, one time while walking to the sidewalk theres 3 people walking ahead of me and i cant overtake coz their taking all the space and they are walking so slow like they're walking at the park, laughing and talking as if theres no other people around them. I almost got irritated when someone behind me told them to disperse as theres so many people in a hurry behind them and when i look back theres a lot ended trying to get a space its like a long line waiting for something then of course they let us pass one by one and everyone who passed through them gave them insulting words like its not a park their walking with and that they dont own the pathway and etc
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
I am glad that you have had a positive experience in this!
@squallming (1775)
• Malaysia
26 Jul 12
This kind of bad attitude happens not only at sidewalk, but also other crowded places. There had been many times I saw people walking in group would just walk side by side which renders others to not able to walk pass them or have to follow them behind and wait for opportunities to walk pass them. They are really being inconsiderate to others which I find it a very bad attitude. Most people are selfish after all.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
It is selfish you are so right. Being nice is am important asset to us all. Thats why I get upset, because I always am curtious while out and about.
@Cristy_63 (27)
• Philippines
26 Jul 12
Life is simple don't complicate things with this kind of situation lets be honest with our selves we must simply express what we feel I'v been in the same situation almost every day, I deal with it as my emotion dictates me, i don't control my emotion just to please others who does not have etiquette at all. I only show etiquette to those people who shows respect to other people. Just be vocal with what you feel or else you'll get sick by thinking how to deal with them!!!!
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Cristly,
This is a very good point. I am planning on working on this. I guess the anger does me no good as those people dont give me one thought so I am merely wasting my valuable time thinking on how angry this makes me.
@Daisy_22 (1229)
• Philippines
19 Aug 12
Sometimes we just need to ignore them especially if we are walking early in the morning going to the office.We should not let our emotions overflow for it might create disappointments and frustration in the beginning of our day.Some people are doing that just merely to annoy you or even to just attract attention from you.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
20 Aug 12
Thanks for responding Daisy_22.
That could be the reasoning, but I am pretty sure that its really a matter of them just not caring and giving no respect to others. And they are just kind of oblivious to thers. I think that its the general wish of mine that we carry peace and generosity for others and they just dont have a clue. Another peice to this involves dropping a door in your face, not helping someone that is on obvious need of a simple door being held due to pushing a baby in a stroller or having their hands full. Or just other things that make it seem that they are the only one ones that matter.
But I am getting better about this, I just stay in my house....LOL When I chose to go out walking I avoid the busy areas and just keep my mind focused on peace. And for the most part I am doing better about this.
Have a good one!
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
25 Jul 12
People here are pretty polite. They tend to scoot to the side or wait til you pass or go single file so that you can pass them. I think it varies from place to place as to what kind of manners you see in public on the sidewalk.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
GardenGerty,
I am happy to hear this. I am glad that not everyone is so selfish on the sidewalk.
@anklesmash (1412)
•
25 Jul 12
Some people can be really rude,quite often i see people walking side by side down a street chatting and when they get up to me they ofyen carry on walking side by side forcing me to step off the kerb and onto the road in order to pass them.When all it would have took is for one of them to have stood behind the other and we could have all stayed on the pavement.Thats what i would have done if i was walking witha friend.The other thing that annoys me is when a couple of people stop on the pavement to have a conversation causing any people passing by to walk on the road to have a conversation.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Exactly!! I see that you encounter the same thing. I am so tempted just to bump them with my elbow or arm to take my spot there on the sidewalk that I have a right to. I often wonder if this is how they drive also!!
@hsofyan (3446)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
25 Jul 12
I think not only on the sidewalk. I have often found such behavior in shopping centers. They crowded in front of shop windows, or walking very slowly, so I find it hard to pass them, even though I had permission.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
I agree with this too! It makes me mad when they are in the shopping centers. And when they decide to just stand in the isle with their cart in the middle. Making it hard to go through.
@ronadelle (1547)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
It is good to sometimes fight for your right. The sidewalk is made for everyone to walk through in the first place. So, they have no right to own as if they have their names on it. Happy mylotting!
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
This is absolutely right, I think that I will begin to take more of a stand on my side of the sidewalk.
@samson1 (738)
• Jamaica
25 Jul 12
I have encountered that situation on numerous occassions. I know that being a man, the rules of engagements on the public thoroughfare is different than that of a woman. However, if you feel so inclined, and you do not wish to endanger yourself, you may 'firmly' say excuse me loud enough that the person(s) have no choice but to give you way and allow you safe passage.
Do not be affraid to exercise your right to be safe on the public streets.., and you'll be fine.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Samson1 I will for sure use this methode. Many times though they are people that are younger than myself. Im not really much older than them and tend to look similar to the students but I deserve respect just as anyone else.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
26 Jul 12
These are my pet peeves, too! I hate it when a group of people stop and start talking in the middle of the road, leaving the pedestrians no place! I also hate that when slow people with huge luggages and packages walk really slowly in the middle of the street, and you can't walk past them, only if you step on the autoway, and if you tell them to move to the side, they become angry and say that you're rude. I also hate it when bike riders don't use the bicycle road built for them, and hit us always.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
SO we are together in this irritation. I know that the others do get even more rude with their response to you. As if you are so insignificant to them! And the bike rider thing!!! I know what you mean! There are designated areas that bikers are to use. I bike sometimes but always go into the road when there are people walking on the sidewalk.
@riyauro (6421)
• India
25 Jul 12
Oh that a bad habit of people to do this. They think the road or sidewalk is theirs. And they are so mean. They will talk in 2 or 3 and do not see others around cos they are so engrossed in the gossip. I also get very irritated with this kind of people. I guess you should remind them to give to your space and you are also there.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
It is so rude and a very bad habit. When I see younger people doing it I want to ask them did their parents ever teach them to share the sidewalk! I would like to remind them of this every time. But I dont always because I can sound very mean, but I am not. I am just big on manners which is why I am so adament to my children doing this with me or without.
@bettymarie (125)
• United States
25 Jul 12
I know exactly how you feel. Some people are rude and oblivious to other people on the sidewalk. I think it's due to the fact that they either think they own it or they are just being disrespectful. Sometimes people stop to think or look around, but I understand your frustration. I've had many instances where I've had to walk around people, and they still just stand there, and then look at you like you're the one who did something wrong. I'm sure you know that feeling. Sidewalks are to walk, but I guess some poeple think it's meant to stand on or to block others from passing by.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Exactly! It makes me so made because I like to walk downtown in our city.
Every time this happens I want to say something so badly. But I dont because since they are so careless about taking up the sidewalk, I figure that I would just be wasting my breath by saying anything. I know that it wont make a difference either.