To not think I should have to thank them

[Tellmelies65]

I went on a walk to the supermarket earlier and came Across a group of people talking on a pavement. They were outside a house clearly talking to the person who lived in the house. They moved as I approached them and then the woman shouted thank you at me.
I’m not a rude person but I don’t think you should have to thank someone when they are on a pavement.

Bloody hell, why the hostility? It can't be a nice way to live, surely?!

@Iamthedevilinthedetail

Where I live, people will give you a lot of space if they can - they'll get off the pavement, walk round cars, stand in garden gates etc in order to allow social distancing, and we ALWAYS say thank you to each other for making that wee bit effort. There's a sort of code. A single or couple of elderly infirm get the pavement- others walk round; dog walkers with multiple dogs or mums/dads with prams get the pavement-others walk round; it's nice to be neighbourly and look out for each other. Yes, say thanks. It costs nothing to be polite.

Can I come and live near you please? I had to walk my dogs in the road yesterday twice for the same group blocking the pavement. I know they saw me but no acknowledgement at all from them.

It's the ones you passed before them that annoyed you, the ones who moved out the way did the right thing so the polite thing to do would be to thank them.

"They could have gone for a walk rather than blocking access to a pavement."

Yes because people who have health issues, including bladder issues no longer exist, or don't deserve human contact. Not everyone can go for a walk.

It would do you the world of good to go about your business with a more positive attitude and exhibit good manners. All these people who walk around with negative hostility must suffer for it.

I'd have said thank you, but I also wouldn't have made a show if someone didn't as I'd move out of courtesy anyway

I do not understand this - I have ( & I do know not the only one ) taught my son that manners cost nothing - if people don't respond - well hey ho but I agree with previous posters who think saying Thank You is not hard and even if not appreciated - I would rather my son said thank you than not. But maybe my age. My Grandmother always said - Dukes don't swear at dust men - by which she meant - you are polite to all people - whatever. If they do not respond - well - not the end of the world. ( This is not anything against dust men - it was 60 years ago she came up with it ) - lovely to hear how many people are instinctively polite

They could have gone for a walk rather than blocking access to a pavement.
If they are walking towards you or slower than you then they are just as much 'blocking access' than if they are standing still. It's actually more difficult to get past a group walking slowly and talking in front of you as they often don't realise you are there.

Of course you should have said thank you. They moved to let you pass, instead of just staying there and you having to move into the road.

It’s just basic manners to move over for people who want to pass on pavement and it’s basic manners for that person to say thank you!

I thought everyone knew that!?

Yabu

It doesn’t even take 2 seconds to say thank you!

@Tellmelies65

They wouldn’t have needed to move if they weren’t on a pavement. I think it’s rude to stand On a pavement talking.

Why? Everyone is entitled to use public footpaths, including to stand and talk. They moved out the way... It's not like they created a barricade and didn't let you pass. You're in a high tier, they can't go inside the house to see this person. Do you want them to stand in the road? 🤷‍♀️

I would say thank you. I'm baffled as to why anyone wouldn't say thank you. It's really not hard, is it, to just say 2 short words. It's polite.

YABU it’s polite to say thanks!

@Tellmelies65

In my mind they shouldn’t have even been standing there talking. We are in tier four area.

Whether they should be standing outside talking is not relevant. If they move out the way, you say thanks.

Also, they literally might have only been there for 2 mins... Having a very quick chat. It's hardly like they're having a pavement party

Sorry OP to me you come across rude by not thanking them

@Tellmelies65

As I said I would thank someone if they let me go first on a pavement or let me come out a shop before entering themselves but I think if you’re on a pavement talking you should move.

Even if it's polite for them to move, it's still polite for you to say thank you.

@Givemeabreak88

I’m with the op , I think it’s more rude to stand and block a Pavement so people can’t get past without having to ask you to move.

Quite - but the people chatting did move to give the OP space to walk past, rude not to say thanks.

Blimey! A thank you under any circumstances when someone moves out of your way is standard

Bet you're one of those stuck up twats who can't be Arsed to put up a hand if thank you when somebody lets you past on a narrow roAd, or when somebody holds a door open you walk past with your nose in the air. Can't stand people with no manners, makes my blood boil.

supersonicginandtonic No I definitely would thank people in that situation. As a general rule I’m a very polite person. — a path with a hard surface on one or both sides of a road, that people walk on: Keep to the pavement, Rosie, there's a this is the definition of a pavement therefore you are meant to walk on them rather than talk.

You are pissed off, they are pissed off. Now a thread with 300 posts.

If you had just remembered your manners that could all have been avoided.

Yeah, you're rude. They moved for you when they didn't have to, why wouldn't you just say a quick thanks. Basic courtesy on both sides.

In with OP. It might have been nice to say thank you but I dont think its necessary. If I had to move to accommodate I wouldn't expect a thank you. If anything I'd probably say sorry for being in the way! Shouting after someone to tell them they are rude is in itself rude and doesn't make anyone feel better about the situation

This is an example of what our society has become / even more so over the lockdowns/ pandemic experience - it is new situatuion for us all and we all need to make some adjustments on our outlook and attitude towards others. When I have been out I often come home and think what on earth is happening here! Be kind, we're all in a stressful time together, the least we can do for each other is to be friendly and polite and try to keep the threads of society together.

@Tellmelies65

supersonicginandtonic No I definitely would thank people in that situation. As a general rule I’m a very polite person. — a path with a hard surface on one or both sides of a road, that people walk on: Keep to the pavement, Rosie, there's a this is the definition of a pavement therefore you are meant to walk on them rather than talk.

You're being pedantic and you didn't like being called out in your ruddy.