sidewalk etiquette

[angledge]

Is there an accepted set of rules for walking on the sidewalk? I've always felt that sidewalks should be treated like roads. For example, if you live in the United States, you should walk on the right side of the sidewalk (like you drive on the right side of the road), pass on the left, & if you have to stop, move over so you aren't blocking the progress of others.

Obviously, Brits & other left-side-driving weirdos should also walk on the left side of the sidewalk.

Do these simple rules exist only in my own head, or do other people know them too?

***cross-posted to rq_version2***

Comments

[marasca.livejournal.com]

That's generally what I go by, though (much like when I drive) I sometimes pass in the "slow lane" if necessary. My biggest pedestrian gripe is people who don't walk predictable, just kind of drifting along the sidewalk at an angle so you don't know if they're about to turn into a building, if it's safe to pass, etc.

[kwokj.livejournal.com]

I think most people will agree in theory, but forget a lot in practice.

[scotis-man.livejournal.com]

I think the real problem is that most of America (or, at least, California) has not only forgotten the rules of, but also the definition of, etiquette.

[azure-dragon.livejournal.com]

jade_phoenix noted on coming to England that while Americans organise themselves into lanes on a busy pavement, the Brits do not, and continue to walk randomly and hurredly all over the place.

When roads are quiet I tend to walk in the road when the pavement in full, knowing that I will be moving fater than 90% of the people there anyway.

[ataralas.livejournal.com]

I use the general rule of "get out of my way, you stupid midwestern tourist"...

No, seriously, faster in the center, slower on the outside, and for GOD'S SAKE, DON'T JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALK. (yes, that's one of my major pet peeves)

[blu-matt.livejournal.com]

In my experience the older the pedestrian, the slower and more pavement (== "sidewalk") they take up. Fatties too.

[blu-matt.livejournal.com]

Oh, and tourists

Tourist 1: *stops and pulls out camera* "Ooh, look, is that a castle?"
Tourist 2: "No I don't think so, that's a..."
*crash*
Me: "$&!*ing tourists!" etc.

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

And Yahweh spake unto Moses, and said "Heed my laws, for they shall guide you in the great cities unto the end of days." And He wrote His commandments on two slabs of pavement. But lo, they were too heavy for Moses, so Yahweh abbreviated His Word somewhat.

1. Upon the sidewalk, thou shalt behave as though it were the road, and lanes shall be established, that the hasty may have dominion over the slow, that those who travel in opposite directions may not come into contact with one another, and that those who power-walk might safely bypass those who gawk.

2. Thou shalt not come to a cessation of motion in the sidewalk, for it angers Yahweh God, and He shalt smite thee. And if He does not, He shalt permit others on the sidewalk to act as His hands, and they shalt smite thee in His name.

3. Thou shalt attend to thine surroundings and be not distracted by godless pursuits. Those who useth their cell phones with great vigor while remaining unaware of those around them arouse the displeasure of Yahweh God, and He shalt smite them, and inflict greater roaming charges upon them, because they are bastards. Those who draggeth wheeled carrying containers must also pay heed, that they not entangle the legs of those around them, and cause grief. They shall inherit a beating.

4. Do not be fooled by the moving walkway, the escalator, and yea, even the stairwell of old, for the law of Yahweh applies to them as well. Let the slothful stand aside that the hasty may take advantage of technology's boon.

5. Behold the stairwell, for it may contain a banister dividing it in two equal parts. Proceed on the right side, much as thou wouldst drive thine car on the highway, unless thou drivest in the British fashion, which is an abomination unto the eyes of the Lord.

6. Control thine progeny, for they must learn of the law of Yahweh. Should they lose direction and wander into the path of the opposing traveller, they may be trampled, and justice will be done, yea, even amidst the wailing of the infants. Yahweh invented the leash for a reason, and His reasons are just.

7. Control thine elderly, for they move with lethargy and unseeing eyes, and will confound the feet of the traveller with walkers and canes. Yahweh will recall them unto His hand, should they cause one to miss the 9:05 train.

8. Blessed are the jaywalkers, but accursed be those who jaywalk unprofessionally, disregarding the flow of vehicular traffic around them. They shalt be impacted upon by the bumper of the taxi, which shall act as the hand of Yahweh God, even if it is driven by a Pakistani.

9. Tourists, respect the cities that thou visiteth. Respect too those who dwell in those cities, for they know the laws of the sidewalk that Yahweh has set down in concrete. Respect, as thou respecteth the laws of thine own dwelling, or thou shalt be smitten with yon two-by-four.

10. Thou that dwelleth in country, in greener pastures, in the valley of the shadow of rurality, that know not the sidewalk and its ways, Yahweh says unto thee, Get With The Program, bitches.

Amen.

[vulgarbarbarian.livejournal.com]

Ain't nuthin' worse than a herd of big fat bitches who take up 7/8ths of the sidewalk and amble slowly like a herd of grazing hippopotami. Worse thing about living in Brooklyn. I recognize the necessity of walking in the street in midtown, but in the boroughs? Fuck that.

What was it that cleolinda said? Oh yes,
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I KEEL YOU, HOR!

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

Word.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Metaquoted. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/metaquotes/3394609.html)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

No matter where you live, there's no cure for tourists. The whole point of their visit to your home city is to walk around slowly, gawping at all the pretty.

We've got herds of them here in SF, too.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I'm just glad I remember how to spell it.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

My pet peeve are people walking three- & four-abreast, slowly. YES, I understand that you want to talk to each other, but there are hundreds of other people simultaneously using the same public space (i.e., the sidewalk) as you are! Be considerate!

[tinuvielchild.livejournal.com]

(here from metaquotes)...

Commandments 8-10 are love. =D

[photosinensis.livejournal.com]

These rules also apply to hallways, as that's where I have the most problems with people violating the rules of the road.

But making right turns is still easier.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Visiting from metaquotes - I totally agree with these Commandments, and say that tourists coming to any major city should be handed a copy right before they leave the plane.

Especially with all the rubber-neckers that seem to visit San Francisco! :-/

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Meh ... I may be fat, but I try to at least be decent to others sharing the pavement with me! :-)

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Oy - no kidding!

It makes me want to start carrying around an electrified spork and shout, "Git along little dawgies!" as I poke them in their asses.

[thinggtwoo.livejournal.com]

OHMYGOD, this is HYSTERICAL!!! May I post this in my journal on another site, with credit given??

:-P

[cleverthylacine]

But what do Hillel and Shammai have to say on the subject?

Re: :-P

[starpaint.livejournal.com]

That these laws, being unusually and exceptionally clear, need no further elaboration. But Hillel addresses the Godliness of well-tuned sideways and why it's so imperative that country hicks get a development program together already, dammit.

(P.S. I love you.)

Re: :-P

[azurelunatic]

*cackle*

pyrogenic once said that two Jewish men in the same room is all it takes to start an argument. Not a fight, but a debate. Even if they agree with each other.

[kayepants.livejournal.com]

I just got really excited about your icon.

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Hehe - thanks! I loved Jay on Project Runway ... he was so witty and brilliant. :-)