AIBU to stop always moving aside for people in public?

I’ve refused to move out men’s way for years (unless old / visibly disabled). It helps to walk confidently and assertively. I still enjoy the look of surprise on their face.

I am disabled, though not visibly so, I don't use any mobility aid. Most of the time I stop and wait for the people to pass. The ones who are polite will say thank you. The ones looking at their phones tend to be startled and baffled to be standing in front of me.

It's been called patriarchy chicken. Not getting out of the way of men who expect women to take up less space/defer to their manly striding.

I stopped ages ago. I've startled many a man. It's easy, pick your path and hold firm. I also just stop if it's obvious someone isn't going to budge over.

I had that too. Two women, each with a pushchair. Between them, taking up the entire width of the path. I had to step into the road to avoid them. A busy road where we were on the left, so I had to look behind to check it was clear.

I’ve had this with a young bloke, it was a bit of a stand off and I just laughed and thought it’s not worth my energy

Thank you! I knew there was a word for it, just couldn't remember it.

The other day I was running on a footpath wide enough for three abreast. Three people walking abreast were walking towards me, they had grass verge on their side, I had a river on my side. Not one of them dropped back, I ended up stopping and the person nearest to me shoulder-slammed me and then shouted at me! I was standing still! Good job I'm fat or I'd have gone in.

I do actually have to stop quite regularly when people are walking abreast. It's mad. If it's narrow and people are being normal, I'm happy to drop to a walk or step on a verge or whatever, so it's not like I'm just barrelling on. Drives me mad.

I’ve always called this patriarchy chicken, as it’s usually men who expect me to move for them. Anyway, when playing, I don’t move aside at all, and just stop dead in front of them and wait for them to go around if they haven’t before we’re about to collide.

I first experimented with this a few years ago, IIRC there was an article in the newspaper, an observation about how crowded London pavements were and how many men walked as if they expected the Red Sea to part in front of them; and how it was predominantly women who would be that parting sea. It made me realise that I continuously (and subconsciously) alter my path in favour of oncoming pedestrians.

My first try-out was on a fairly narrow pavement, further narrowed by scaffolding, and two huge brick-shithouses walking side-by-side bearing down on me. Rather than step into the road, I just stopped dead when they were about six feet from me. They looked a bit startled, but moved apart and passed on either side of me. Result !

Apparently people are more likely to give way if they perceive you are not looking at them, so look into the distance rather than at the oncoming flow. And, if they continue to bear down on you - stand still. Be the rock in the river that they must flow around. It has worked for me so far.

I will give way to those I consider need way given - elderly, crutches, wheelchairs, parents holding children, prams etc. But an able-bodied adult heading straight for me - no. If they don't do that subtle shift that people do when they're adjusting their path to pass cleanly, then neither will I.

YANBU
I read a tip on here, and that was when you see a person/people coming towards you and you don't think they will move.... just stand still. They will go around you.

This is known as manslamming and was very popular a few years ago in response to academic papers showing that women subconsciously get out of the way for men far more than men get out of the way for women.

@Clara1984 i understand what you're saying, why is it you that has to move out of the way.

I was going to say similar, but to add that even slowing your pace can have the same effect. Often the person walking faster will automatically make room in a dodging-around-an-obstacle type of manoever.

i was once walking along a footpath, narrow, just fits 2 people side by side. Two women were walking towards me side by side so I did what a previous poster said - I basically walked on the side furthest from the kerb. As they got closer they were still side by side so I slowed until I was stopped so they were forced to walk round me, Cheeky mare tutted at me. I don’t know where she expected me to go when there was a wall to my right

I don't think there's anything 'ultra polite' about leaping out of the way every time you see someone approaching, especially if you're seething with resentment all the time.