footpath etiquette
I used to think that it was something that everyone gets taught when they are youngsters. But I have noticed over the past half a year or so, as I'm walking to hornsby for whatever reason, used to be tafe and now it's work, that I'm always ending up off the footpath! and it's stupid because half the time there's only maybe one person coming the other way. like today this lady was walking right in the middle of the footpath and I had to get off it so I wouldn't run into her!
My parents taught me to keep left on the footpath and if I'm walking with someone I should walk behind or infront of them if someone's coming the other way. Obviously not the popular school of thought that's taught these days.
And women with kids, who should be teaching them to give way or whatever, take up the whole footpath! and people walk along with their friends and chat away and pay no attention to me walking along in the opposite direction, and once again I get no path space!I was reflecting on my off-the-path misfortunes on my way home the other day, and was trying to find a reason for this apparent lack of etiquette (thinking that it's lucky for the people going the other way that I don't get footpath rage) and was thinking that maybe it's a north shore thing. or the fact that I'm generally walking beside barker when it happens, and half the time it's probably barker parents. private school parent-snobs.
The problem is that there doesn't seem an obvious way to education these annoying people, (apart from an after-school class to teach those who are still impressionable, and a rehabilitation program for their push-off the path parents) and that seems a little extreme. just a tiny bit. Maybe instead of walking on the path I should run, and knock over anyone who stands (or walks) in my way. muahahaha. maybe if I'm just not so nice and don't move off the path when someone's coming the other direction. That'll make them move. Then they'll just think I'm a disaffected youth who's listening to music and being rude. But hey, half the footpath is my right! :P
Labels: random
posted by elise @ 8:27 pm
6 Comments:
yes! i was never formally 'taught' the left side was just assumed, just like when driving. and then when you are overseas, where they drive on the right side, you are expcted to walk on the right side too.
the worst place though, is the twisty stairs coming down from hornsby station.>_<
hehehe!
ok, you're gonna have fun in HK -- they drive on the left, and you walk on the right. I was always taught the right, cause if you're walking along a road, which side do you walk on? if you walk along the right, you can see the on-coming traffic, and not get run over. which is a big positive, in my opinion... ;)
and I'm a big fan of footpath-rage. just make sure you turn up your iPod as you walk/charge past, so even if they do yell at you, you have no hope of hearing them, and they can hear what you're hearing and know that they're wasting their breath... :D
kinda off the topic, but we should go to finishing school
again, slightly off topic, ... i agree that most private school ppl are snobbish, but if i had my way, i would be sending my brother to a private highschool.
i agree with you elise - i always walk on the left, and if walking with someone will move behind/in front if someone is coming the other way. it's logical as well as courteous.
i don't understand why other people don't get it!
and i went to a private school - so it's not necessarily a private school thing!!
wlwehpdy
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