Or do young lads try to walk right into you deliberately?

[MrJohnsonAteMyCustard]

It's something I've noticed quite a lot recently, always with young lads/teenagers. It's as if they are deliberately walking into you with no intention of moving. I've come to expect it now so make sure I give them a very wide berth, because I've noticed that if I don't get out of the way they will most certainly at the very least brush past you.

For a long time I thought it was 1) Coincidence 2) Me needing a reasonable amount of personal space. But no, it happened today, in quick succession and the two lads obviously knew each other. Is this a new 'thing'??? Is it a game??

If anyone can enlighten me on this, that would be great as I'm wondering if it's just me they seem to want to antagonise

[Lilicat1013]

Noeuf don't take it personally, you were likely picked as a target likely because you were a female walking on your own. The chose you because they are pathetic and want to opt for someone who they don't think is going to punch them.

I don't really have any advice aside from that since my approach as been to be absolutely willing to punch them but I have an evil temper and lack any sensible part of my brain that warns me I could get hurt.

[SouthWestmom]

Thank you lilicat I'm really surprised how weird and vulnerable I felt.

[ssd]

if its a south London thing then thats why I've never seen this

mind you, some of the Glesga wummin I know would put anyone on their arse who dared to barge into them

[ssd]

....and give them a bollocking on their way down

[elodie2000]

Teenagers can be very unaware when it comes to space around them. I'm thinking about the busy corridors at school. They are often oblivious and more often than not are not trying to cause trouble.
They walk towards me, stop in front of me, stop in the middle of the corridor blocking everyone's way.
I keep moving slowly and say loudly 'excuse me lads/ girls' and they do move.
I've seen deliberate slamming too. This is done in an attempt to assert authority. This has never happened to me at work (school) but in town. Both young & older adult males.
I do NOT move to the side but stop dead when I see they are deliberately walking towards me. They ALWAYS move. To avoid a head on collision.

[haveacupoftea]

This has never happened to me but if it does whoever does it will get a fucking good shove and get told theyre a wee shite!

[PurpleTraitor]

I understand this. I consciously square up to a lot of people who live around me. Most of them are men and in groups. It's a combination of them being loud and aggressive, and spreading out literally all over the pavement, not paying attention to verges, Road edges etc, roaming their own path, in a group that's usually 4-8 strong and at least 4 broad. The volume it usually loud. At least one of them will be on the phone but always talking not texting. Every second word will be 'fucking....' (I like the word but it's part of an overall image) they will be dressed almost exclusively in grey and black, sportswear, trainers, hoods or padded vests. Two or three will be smoking.

I hear them coming I see them coming, they look through me and continue on their track. I square my shoulders, elbows out, make entomb eye contact to make them notice I am there, they get vaguely uncomfortable and I stick to my own chosen path - nine times out of ten they'll part and I'll walk through, because most of it is swagger.

I square up by instinct. Some people would swerve by instinct. I don't know what that says about me.

[PurpleTraitor]

Although one ran into me and my young DD just this week at full pelt. Knocked us both on the floor. He did at least say sorry before running off at the same speed.

[flumpsnlumpsnstuff]

I live near a school and yes there is 1 group of teenage boys that do this. They tried it with me but luckily I know all the parents so loudly said "oh boy1 surely you're not barging people out the way, that's not the little cherub your mum brought you up to be." Also my youth although I'm not proud of it has earned me a certain pecking order respect with these groups. However I would not have the lack of respect these kids have with others, mainly though you will find it's the lost ones trying desperately to show they are tough and worthy luckily it's the minority and most grow out of it quick.

[Positivitee]

Around here it's usually 20-40 year old professional men who do it. You can actually see their shock when you refuse to step aside.

[SealSong]

Never have experienced this where I live. People walk past you here with a pleasant 'morning, love' or similar, with teens scuttling past with a mumbled hello. But then I live in a small Northern village. In't big city (Leeds or Manchester) people can be more bargy, but I don't think I've ever come across anyone doing it deliberately.