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

[EarwigO]

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?

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.

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.

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.

Many more inconsiderate arseholes about these days it seems.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

I want to do this 😂

Similar age & it was something DM always taught us to do too & something we have taught DC. Obviously not everyone does teach DC this because I am now the only one moving out of the way when I’m walking anywhere, even couples walking two abreast & I have to step in the road or get bashed. Infuriating.

I live in the SW and it's a certain type of person who tends to do it here. :/ everyone is lovely and even says hello!

Yes definitely getting worse. And so annoying when four people walking abreast jus carry on and expect people to move into the road to get around them.

Some older people make have balance or pain issues. You should definitely give them more space and teach your children to.

Everyone could have a reason for needing more space.

That’s why I teach my children to be polite and step out the way for anyone. Age doesn’t come into it.

@Coaltitmum generally they'll go single file when they realise you're not moving. Sometimes they won't and you just have to brace for impact

Hand holding couples are the worst, terrified their relationship will spontaneously end if they momentarily let go of each other to allow you through. I refuse to go into the road anymore. I used to all the time in covid especially when I was out for a run. No more!

I just move over as much as I can then walk tall. As others have said, if we collide we collide. I’ve done my bit by moving over, if they crash into me by being a wanker, so be it.

It’s the worst when you get groups of 3+ people (who in my experience tend to be students or elderly ladies) who crab walk alongside each other blocking the whole pavement.

I nearly had to walk into a wall because a couple couldn't let go of each other and wouldn't go single file.

I'm mid-50s now, and feel people should be stepping aside for me Whoa. Your attitude is pretty gutter worthy to be fair!

Very narrow pavements in our town. I use a stick now and will move to the side for one person, or a mum with a toddler and pushchair and they usually smile. But I will not move for three abreast and just keep to the wall side and continue. What I will NOT do is step into the road.
And people stand and have conversations in the middle of the pavement so you can't pass them. A loud, polite and firm, "Excuse me!" usually works. If they look friendly, I tell them I'd wallop them with my stick if they hadn't moved. Laughter.

It has definitely gotten worse recently. Since covid people seem more aggressive on the roads too.

I was brought up to make way for other people whenever possible and have had to try and unlearn it in some situations because it's taken as a sign of submissiveness by some.
Sometimes it's a cultural thing, sometimes it's just ignorance. Few people teach their kids respect: it's all about making sure nobody is 'dissing' their kids.

It was shocking to see people bumping into my mum a couple if years ago while she walked painfully with a stick. This was in the very posh Cotswold town she'd always lived in.

I always make way for older and very young people as a matter of course and do what I can so they feel respected and safe in public spaces. It's about empathy for me.

I'm old and in pain. Moving to one side causes me more pain. I'm not moving for anyone unless they've got small kids or a pushchair.