AIBU to not understand people who stop and stand to the side on wide pavements when you pass (and then expect to be thanked)?

[UpperLowerMiddleClass]

Firstly, I’m not talking about narrow pavements where there is not enough space for two people to pass comfortably, and so one person needed to stand aside. If someone stops and lets me pass them on a narrow pavement I smile and say thank you. And sometimes I’ll be the one stopping to let someone coming the other way pass me. All well and good.

But there’s been a few occasions recently I’ve been walking down a regular size pavement - 1.5-2 metres wide maybe - and someone coming the other way has made a point of stopping as I approach and then standing to the side while I pass them, before continuing to walk on. I make sure I keep to the side as I walk so there’s a good amount of space for two people to pass, it’s not like I’m marching down the centre of the pavement and not budging.

I don’t thank people if they do this - to me it’s their choice if they want to stand aside on a pavement where there’s no need to. But yesterday I very clearly heard the woman who did this - step aside for no reason - mutter ‘Not even a thank you!’ once I’d passed.

It can’t still be anything to do with covid fears and social distancing can it? Especially as the person who stands aside is not moving any further away from me, but it just standing still until I’ve passed them.

So what’s this all about? If someone chooses to stand aside despite not needing to should I be thanking them?

I know, this asking for thanks for something that wasn’t wanted or needed is very bad manners, isn’t it?

Can you explain why this is good manners? If there is plenty of space for both people to pass without touching, or meaning someone has to walk off the pavement then its unnecessary.

I'll normally step to the side on a narrow path and it does annoy me if that isn't acknowledged, but why would someone do that on a 2 metre wide pavement?

I have been smacked into by a couple of runners who thought there was space when there wasn't. I think you guys should really be stepping onto the road to pass people because it's pretty painful when you miscalculate the space and run into someone at speed. However, if you won't do this I would rather make you feel awkward by moving out of the way than get run into again.

People standing talking and blocking a narrow pavement - I just smile and say, "Excuse me, please," and they usually jump out of the way, apologising. If they seem friendly, I grin and wave my walking stick at them.
If a child is encouraged to move out of the way, " Mind the lady," I'll always make a point of thanking them. Or I'll move for a child if appropriate. Good manners matter whether you're 6 or 76.

It's not something I've noticed on pavements wide enough for people to pass easily. And on narrower pavements I've found people nearly always say thank you if I stand aside, as I always thank people who make way for me.

The one group who seem not to bother with thanks are joggers, in my experience. Not even a wave or nod of thanks mostly. I just silently wish dog poo trainers on them as they disappear.

I give a slight smile/nod to everyone I walk past if there's eye contact, whether they're purposely letting me by or not. Costs nothing and saves being uncomfortable. If they're not looking at me, I don't and just ignore them.

I've also been on the other side, where I've stood to one side where the footpath isn't wide enough for two, and the person coming the other way has been concentrating on their phone and completely oblivious, and yes, then I do sometimes say "you're welcome" as they're clearly not aware of where they are - especially when they're almost certainly walk straight into you, if you didn't move aside.

I know what you mean but I still smile and mutter a thanks (they do the same) because they must have thought it was needed. The intention and gesture counts.

The worst are the ones who walk down the pavement 4 wide and make no attempt at all to deviate from their course.

I think it's 1. a combination of covid and 2. I look more unsteady on my feet/larger than I think I do.

Yes this one is annoying and it shows either how oblivious or entitled they are.

Also maybe they don't want you to think they are about to attack you. Or they want space. It's a them thing not a you thing.

I'm a runner and regularly (this am actually) find I have to move into shrubbery on a narrow path to accommodate others passing who don't even acknowledge me . Rude twats. I don't want a round of applause but "thank you " takes seconds to say and costs nowt.

Bloke on the school run today in East Mids on a motorised scooter sharing with his kid, on the narrow pavement, yes you, you Knob, I'm looking at you

Some mixed responses!

Maybe it is a post-covid thing in some way, but surely if both people just carry on walking and pass each other that’s actually less time spent in close vicinity than if one stops to let the other pass?

That is an excellent response!

I'm with you on this! Especially when I'm running, people jump out the way like I'm going to attack them. And I'm a slow runner. And don't take any more pavement space than a walker

Fucking hell this is next level miserable and I've read some miserable shit on here. Wow. A quick smile, nod or thanks take under a second.

I have a movement disorder and sometimes passing too close to another person causes me to fall over. So they may have Parkinson's, or a similar disorder.
I don't expect thanks for stopping though.

It's just good manners which are rapidly disappearing in the entitled it's all about me attitude displayed by many now.

Really?!?! It's not hard just to say thank you.
Some people get their knickers in a twist over the smallest things

I don't know about "expecting" to be thanked, but I can't imagine encountering someone in the situation you describe and not giving a nod or a smile or some sort of friendly acknowledgement.

I've come across this a lot, I think it's a hangover from the full on covid days where you were advised to keep 2m apart.

The only time anyone's ever barked "you're welcome" at me was the day DH died and I was truly on another planet when someone held a door for me.

If it happens to you a lot, I'd guess it's you more than them.