Ignorant people

[Patatopotato]

What is with people having no manners or spatial awareness these days?

Just out of work and walking along the road (busy city centre with traffic so not option to just walk into road) approach 4 men in suits taking up the whole footpath.

Not one attempt to make a gap for me (or anyone else to get past) so I, quite rightly in my opinion, bang my elbow right off him, wish I'd of done it harder tbh!!

Aibu to have wished it had of had such force it would have knocked the phone right out of his hand!! (He was holding phone in front showing his equally ignorant mates something)

@DinnaeFashYersel

<smirk>

Catch yersel on hen!

You shouldn't be elbowing people out of the way.

While I wouldn't elbow someone, yanbu about groups of people taking up the whole width of the pavement. The road I live on has pavements wide enough for 2 people. The amount of times I've walked towards 2 people walking next to each other who don't then get into single file so we can pass eachother is astounding.

I think my dc learnt how to do that at about 3 years old.

I usually find I can make eye contact and carry on walking when there's one of these groups of pavement-hogs, and they manage to sort themselves out. Otherwise, as PP have said, I stop.
Of course I'll make way for people who need it - infirm or with kids for instance.

Thank you for this.

It's astonishing how many posters would kowtow to this crap behaviour.

Patriarchy chicken.

This! Going by replies so far, Mumsnet's ripe for a reintroduction.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teaching-daughters-patriarchy-chicken_n_5cd2ea26e4b0e524a47e15d4

I've been doing this since I was a teenager, I didn't know it had a name.
I remember reading somewhere about how we were, often subconsciously, stepping aside and letting men pass and when I first saw it I couldn't stop observing it everywhere. It took some practice and some nerve to get it right but now I do it without even thinking. I even taught my 13 year old daughter just a few weeks ago.
The trick is to stare unflinchingly ahead, way into the distance as you walk confidently along. Don't make eye contact or adjust your trajectory, march straight ahead like a soldier, and watch as the oncoming traffic parts for you. It's quite amusing!
Disclaimer: Obviously there are times when it's inappropriate, ie. for elderly or disabled people who can't easily move out of your way.

@pinkgrafittirat

Women do it too you know, especially dog walkers, those with children/prams, and groups of female joggers!

I stop walking and stand my ground in these circumstances (no elbows)

The look of confusion on their faces when I haven't moved to the side to let them pass.

They look up, briefly look uncomfortable then move around me as I'm stationary.

It seems to happen a lot in my town and it's always younger or middle aged men. Women generally make eye contact and we both move to avoid impact.

I stopped man dodging as I got fed up with it always being me giving way.

Best and no sensible option

Most

So great that you taught your daughter, @ScotInExile! I do the same as you, keep walking.

I play patriarchy chicken too. Once you start you quickly realise that men expect us to move for them every time.

Why do you think so called normal people should all move for other people? Are you saying those men are not normal because they didn't move? I spent years moving (in many ways) for other people. Then realised no one does it back. Surely if a large group is blocking a whole pavement the most courteous thing would be for the large group to make themselves smaller space wise rather than the one person flatten themselves against a wall or step off the pavement? (Because you say stand to one side as if there's always room for that).
Anyway. I do similar to the @Patatopotato these days. I don't actually "elbow" anyone but I tend to put myself in a brace position that involves either putting my handbag in a different position or tensing my muscles in my arm/shoulder so I'm prepared for the impact. Otherwise you spend your life leaping out the way, walking into bushes and branches, stepping into the road, walking on grass verges and into dog shit, and generally just realising that it's always you moving while no one else gives a shit. You won't even get an acknowledgement of thanks. To be honest I think that's what would make the difference. If i moved for someone and they said thanks. On the rare occasion a group does move for me then I always say thanks.

Why should women have to stop and wait because men are extremely rude and entitled and think women aren't allowed to take up space? If you're walking in a group you should never take up more than half of the path/pavement, unless it's completely empty in which case you should be constantly aware of other people both in front and behind you who might need to get by. That's just basic manners and not being a total cunt.

Besides, we're talking about situations where there is no "side" - if you're on a footpath or pavement and the people walking three or four abreast are taking up the entirety of the path, then there physically is no "side" you can stand in - obviously, because if there was, you'd just use that side to walk.

On most pavements, you have a wall on one side (can't exactly melt into solid brick!) and a road on the other (extremely dangerous). Obviously no one should ever have to step into moving traffic to avoid rude entitled people, yet some people do seem to have that expectation!

If you're on a path then presumably it's either a narrow path with brambles or whatever on both sides, or a path through mud. Not like a path through nice neat grass, because then people would just walk on the grass.

Besides I guarantee if you just "stood to one side to let people pass" where I'd live, you'd still be standing there two hours later, since it's literally just a non-stop river of people.

Golly, between this and whoever the poster is that keeps hunting out any post about rape and commenting with the laugh emoji, the MRA contingent on Mumsnet is really having a time, aren't they?

Who knew Gilead had wifi?

Careful, you'll be called man-hating misandrists in a minute.

Remember, women aren't allowed to take up space or criticise men, ever, especially on a forum for women.

I think you will find there is a side. We are in the UK so we stand to the left and let people pass on the right, politely, without elbowing them, whether they are male or female.

I think you will find there is a side. We are in the UK so we stand to the left and let people pass on the right, politely, without elbowing them, whether they are male or female.

Who is this 'we' vs who are the ones who get to pass unimpeded?

I let people pass on whichever side seems safer/more convenient to them if they're less mobile than me or have kids etc.

It's just a group of people chatting and not being super aware of people around them, it's hardly crime of the century

I guess the groups I meet frequently who walk 2/3 abreast and take up the width of the pavement (and find don't move over) missed that lesson at school.

No one said it was 'the crime of the century'. But it's rude and inconsiderate and can physically hurt other people.

But it was the OP who decided to stick her allow out to hit them though

But as the single it's you that do.