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Original poster

People who don't move out the way on the pavement

236 replies

EarwigO · 24/05/2023 11:12

Is it just me or is this getting worse?
You're walking along, someone (or a group of people) come the other way, you both need to move slightly to pass without colliding. Only they don't.

It used to be a thing I noticed men doing - I got so annoyed with having to step into the gutter/press myself against a wall to avoid them, I stopped doing it and let them walk into me. At which point they invariably apologised!

But it seems to happen so much more frequently now, and not with men - usually a couple or a group of women.
Do they honestly not notice you? Not care? Just expect you to disappear out their way?

OP posts:
Coaltitmum · 24/05/2023 11:23

GoodChat · 24/05/2023 11:20

I just keep walking with purpose in this situation. If we collide, we collide.

I want to do this 😂

Darkstar4855 · 24/05/2023 11:22

I see this all the time, people walking in a pair/group and expecting everyone else to step into the road to get round them. Or they move over to their side but then expect you to thank them for not blocking the whole path/pavement like some sort of entitled arsehole.

Coaltitmum · 24/05/2023 11:22

Yes more people are doing this here and they don't say " thank you " when you've stood aside to let them by.

BiddyPop · 24/05/2023 11:20

I am often walking up against a wall on my route to work and have people expecting me to just melt into thin air. It's happening a lot more now, since Covid, than it used to before lockdowns - a lot of social manners seem to have been forgotten.

GoodChat · 24/05/2023 11:20

I just keep walking with purpose in this situation. If we collide, we collide.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 24/05/2023 11:19

Do you mean when you have a buggy? I noticed this on a trip to town recently. I was sick of manoeuvring a loaded down buggy out of the way on cobble stones while people strolled merrily right into my path so in the end I stopped doing it and ploughed on (within reason) without slowing down.

SunnySaturdayMorning · 24/05/2023 11:18

Seeline · 24/05/2023 11:16

Yes I've noticed this. I was always taught to step aside when I was little - especially for older people, less able etc. I taught my DCs the same.
I'm mid-50s now, and feel people should be stepping aside for me, not pushing me into the gutter! I can't remember anyone stepping aside for me since I stopped using a pushchair TBH.

People shouldn’t be stepping out the way for you because you’re over 50. Nor should kids step out the way for adults just because they’re adults.

People of any age should move out the way for each other because it’s polite.

Nothing to do with age.

flossypots · 24/05/2023 11:18

Many more inconsiderate arseholes about these days it seems.

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 24/05/2023 11:16

This drives me wild!! I walk home past a narrow pavement beside a busy 4 lane road and the amount of people who look offended at the notion they should walk in single file rather than I walk onto the road is staggering.

Mirandia · 24/05/2023 11:16

I live in a rural area so not really an issue. But the last time I lived in a town I did notice it seemed to be getting worse. It may just be a culture change. In some countries they assume people will just squeeze past them. So if you hover behind you never get anywhere. The Brits have an unusually large personal space bubble. I guess as people go out less because they’re always staring at their screens they don’t get socialised to protect other people’s space.

Seeline · 24/05/2023 11:16

Yes I've noticed this. I was always taught to step aside when I was little - especially for older people, less able etc. I taught my DCs the same.
I'm mid-50s now, and feel people should be stepping aside for me, not pushing me into the gutter! I can't remember anyone stepping aside for me since I stopped using a pushchair TBH.