Sidewalk protocol. - Page 2

JimNasium · 07-26-2006, 09:09 AM

I typically take a short walk every morning and afternoon. It helps clear my mind, reduce stress and provides me with some physical benefit. Nearly every day I encounter people who have zero clue on how to properly utilize a sidewalk. It seems to me that common sense would dictate that if you are walking two or three abreast on the sidewalk that one of you needs to yield to oncoming walkers. Instead I often encounter a modified game of chicken with the oncoming offender refusing to move. Usually, out of a spirit of civility, I move to the grass and keep going but I must admit that it irritates the hell out of me. I'm seriously contemplating putting out a bowl of antifreeze to teach these beady-eyed slopeheads a lesson once and for all.

Sully · 07-26-2006, 11:10 AM

In that situation, I like to just stop. Don't keep walking, don't move over, just stop and see what their next move is.

Of course, I try to avoid walking at all costs.

Walking is for suckers.

KCTitus · 07-26-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

In that situation, I like to just stop. Don't keep walking, don't move over, just stop and see what their next move is.

I have always noticed this phenomenon especially the hallways of buildings as early as high school. It wasnt until I got older, I began employing the above 'stop' method. I have found you can typically predict which group will or wont yield to people going the other way. Stopping presents them with a choice of yielding or walking into you and it works quite well.

listopencil · 07-26-2006, 11:55 AM

Just keep walking in a relaxed but hurried manner and don't make eye contact. Pretend to be looking at something over their shoulders to your right, keeping a mild grin on your face. If you've ever seen "Zippy The Pinhead" that would be perfect. It works for me every time.

greg63 · 07-26-2006, 12:03 PM

Next time put on sun glasses and use a little white walking stick in a sweeping motion in front of you; kinda sway your head back and forth.

JimNasium · 07-26-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

Eh, just give them a good bump with your shoulder as you pass by and they'll learn. 'Course, I can probably get by with this a little easier than a scrawny bean pole like JimNasium.

I'm gaining on you. Currently I'm somewhere between 205 and 210 pounds of love.

**Rain Man** · 07-26-2006, 12:12 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with the "stop" method. I think it's good for trying to train people, as opposed to just moving.

And why do some people walk on the left side of the sidewalk? This isn't England. It annoys me to be moseying along in proper form, and then I have to move to avoid a collision because Sir Chauncey of Dyslexishire is walking directly toward me on the left side of the sidewalk.

I was thinking about a similar issue just the other day, and pondering if perhaps I could be part of the problem. When I'm on a sidewalk, I'm an active navigator. I'm mentally plotting the courses of everyone near me, and developing a route in real time to pass through with no collisions. I'm constantly making slight course adjustments to account for sidewalk conditions many steps away. Therefore, I don't have much of an issue with the brain-damaged slug people who just walk slackjawed, unless I encounter them at a corner or other location where my radar can't lock them in and do a Doppler on their courses.

The problem occurs when I encounter another person like me. Since we're both plotting courses, we each plot a course to avoid the other one, which not infrequently then puts us on a collision course. Since we both adjust, we then end up in a situation where we both move left, then both right, etc., until we have to formally make a decision on who's going which direction. Therefore, this is one of those rare instances where good planners are more of a problem than bad planners.

Bootlegged · 07-26-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

I'm gaining on you. Currently I'm somewhere between 205 and 210 pounds of love.

Built like a fresh PEAR.

JimNasium · 07-26-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Built like a fresh PEAR.

You should see my stem.

**morphius** · 07-26-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I wholeheartedly agree with the "stop" method. I think it's good for trying to train people, as opposed to just moving.

And why do some people walk on the left side of the sidewalk? This isn't England. It annoys me to be moseying along in proper form, and then I have to move to avoid a collision because Sir Chauncey of Dyslexishire is walking directly toward me on the left side of the sidewalk.

I was thinking about a similar issue just the other day, and pondering if perhaps I could be part of the problem. When I'm on a sidewalk, I'm an active navigator. I'm mentally plotting the courses of everyone near me, and developing a route in real time to pass through with no collisions. Therefore, I don't have much of an issue with the brain-damaged slug people who just walk slackjawed, unless I encounter them at a corner or other location where my radar can't lock them in and do a Doppler on their courses.

The problem then occurs when I encounter another person like me. Since we're both plotting courses, we each plot a course to avoid the other one, which not infrequently then puts us on a collision course. Since we both adjust, we then end up in a situation where we both move left, then both right, etc., until we have to formally make a decision on who's going which direction. Therefore, this is one of those rare instances where good planners are more of a problem than bad planners.

I'd avoid taking any advice from the guy who walks down the side walk so poorly that people have to throw chicken noodle soup at him...

Bootlegged · 07-26-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

You should see my stem.

No, YOU should be able to see your stem.

JimNasium · 07-26-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lattimer

No, YOU should be able to see your stem.

WilliamTheIrish · 07-26-2006, 12:21 PM

Stop and ask them which part of the sidewalk they's like.
Then jam them face first into that side.

greg63 · 07-26-2006, 12:27 PM

I'm convinced that the problem is that the side walk is too narrow.

**Nzoner** · 07-26-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

I'm gaining on you. Currently I'm somewhere between 205 and 210 pounds of love.

Sounds as though you've been partaking of Nasiums Brew a little too often.

JimNasium · 07-26-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nzoner 338

Sounds as though you've been partaking of Nasiums Brew a little too often.

I am 6'3", so I'm not "pear like"........yet. Jenny hasn't complained.......yet.

07-26-2006, 09:09 AM
JimNasium Voodoo Chile Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: At the crossroad Casino cash: $-793143	Sidewalk protocol. I typically take a short walk every morning and afternoon. It helps clear my mind, reduce stress and provides me with some physical benefit. Nearly every day I encounter people who have zero clue on how to properly utilize a sidewalk. It seems to me that common sense would dictate that if you are walking two or three abreast on the sidewalk that one of you needs to yield to oncoming walkers. Instead I often encounter a modified game of chicken with the oncoming offender refusing to move. Usually, out of a spirit of civility, I move to the grass and keep going but I must admit that it irritates the hell out of me. I'm seriously contemplating putting out a bowl of antifreeze to teach these beady-eyed slopeheads a lesson once and for all.
Posts: 7,134

07-26-2006, 11:10 AM	#16
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	In that situation, I like to just stop. Don't keep walking, don't move over, just stop and see what their next move is. Of course, I try to avoid walking at all costs. Walking is for suckers. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

07-26-2006, 11:55 AM	#18
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $-874120	Just keep walking in a relaxed but hurried manner and don't make eye contact. Pretend to be looking at something over their shoulders to your right, keeping a mild grin on your face. If you've ever seen "Zippy The Pinhead" that would be perfect. It works for me every time. __________________ *While you live, shine. Have no grief at all. Life exists only for a short while and time demands its toll.*
Posts: 56,813

07-26-2006, 12:03 PM	#19
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $6584990	Next time put on sun glasses and use a little white walking stick in a sweeping motion in front of you; kinda sway your head back and forth. __________________
Posts: 19,231

07-26-2006, 12:12 PM	#21
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-492449 VARSITY	I wholeheartedly agree with the "stop" method. I think it's good for trying to train people, as opposed to just moving. And why do some people walk on the left side of the sidewalk? This isn't England. It annoys me to be moseying along in proper form, and then I have to move to avoid a collision because Sir Chauncey of Dyslexishire is walking directly toward me on the left side of the sidewalk. I was thinking about a similar issue just the other day, and pondering if perhaps I could be part of the problem. When I'm on a sidewalk, I'm an active navigator. I'm mentally plotting the courses of everyone near me, and developing a route in real time to pass through with no collisions. I'm constantly making slight course adjustments to account for sidewalk conditions many steps away. Therefore, I don't have much of an issue with the brain-damaged slug people who just walk slackjawed, unless I encounter them at a corner or other location where my radar can't lock them in and do a Doppler on their courses. The problem occurs when I encounter another person like me. Since we're both plotting courses, we each plot a course to avoid the other one, which not infrequently then puts us on a collision course. Since we both adjust, we then end up in a situation where we both move left, then both right, etc., until we have to formally make a decision on who's going which direction. Therefore, this is one of those rare instances where good planners are more of a problem than bad planners. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history. Last edited by Rain Man; 07-26-2006 at 12:18 PM..
Posts: 145,279

07-26-2006, 12:21 PM	#27
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $2620607	Stop and ask them which part of the sidewalk they's like. Then jam them face first into that side.
Posts: 35,754

07-26-2006, 12:27 PM	#28
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $6584990	I'm convinced that the problem is that the side walk is too narrow. __________________
Posts: 19,231