rule for passing people in the street/corridor

[tinagwee]

you know when people in opposite directions try to pass each other but then spend ages going left right left right but dont quite get it right until one gives up and stands still? How about everyone just automatically goes left like cars passing and then both will pass each other smoothly. I have tried this and has been working quite well.

Sorry am procastinating, got to fill in a boring application form and will do anything but fill it in until the last minute heheh

[Michael Palaeologus]

I stick my right arm out, position my body slightly sideways so that it is obvious whicb way I am going. At the same time I scream:

I AM GOING THIS WAY - MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

Works every time

[tinagwee]

you are right, that is much better heheh I will try it next time

[citizenED]

Apparently, according to as load of highly paid psychologists who spent many years studying this phenomenon* - the thing to do is break eye contact with the person heading towards you and look in the direction you want to go left or right. The other person will pass on the other side.

*actually told to me by my brother one pissed up night. works though.

[Marmora Man]

in LOndon during the black out some London streets had left and right hand lanes to reduce bumping

[Muttley]

In the USA they automatically pass to the right. Americans can't believe it when they come over here and discover we have no system.

[SteveT]

Having walking in left hand lane in Oxford st would help progress enormously.

[KalamityKel]

xcept when u wanna cross the road ;-)

[Nero]

In the USA they automatically pass to the right. Americans can't believe it when they come over here and discover we have no system.

But then Americans stand on the right on escalators, much to the bemusement of Brits who go over there. Nero

[KalamityKel]

Well they are americans...

I often find the polite but firm "excuse me" while guiding the other person out of the way works or instead of debating which side to go just walk in the middle :)) they soon move outta the way ;-)

[Brendan]

Change direction at the last minute and stop dead.

[bluecanary]

I find that if you are pushing a buggy with a rather boisterous child in it the problem never arises, especially if said child is hollering 'Excuse me!" at the top of his voice.

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I just jiggle about side to side in response to the other persons jiggling about, and then giggle about all the jiggling!

[Cassius]

Apparently women turn their backs on the person whilst men face them - is this true?

[Keef]

Just charge straight ahead screaming "I halt for no man!" in the voice of the black knight from Monty Python & the Holy Grail.

[Brendan]

Wink, start licking your lips and open your arms towards them. They?ll get out of your way.

[Polly D]

What about the slight feeling of embarrassment when you start to walk down the corridor/street and you see someone you know at the other end but the distance is a good 50m or so and so a few minutes until you get near enough to say hi :-$- do you maintain eye contact? Do a silly dance? Strut your stuff as of on a catwalk?

[embellina]

Don't we stand on the right on escalators? I'm not very good with left and right :-$ so maybe I'm confused. Or do Brits find it confusing because we only really have that system on the tube?

[mightyroar]

yes i think we do stand on the right, and walk on the left if we are really important and in a hurry!

what about when you think it's someone you know from 100m and you make eye contact, or worse still wave, then it turns out not to be. :-$

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Done that so many times I have perfected a technique to spare blushes. Keep on waving/calling but look past their shoulder as if you are aiming at someone behind them.

[mightyroar]

good advice pgc I will have to add that technique to my repertoire