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RANT: Sidewalk hogs

Started 2 years ago by BookGal
Latest reply from sweetandy

BookGal
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Here's a little rant ... Please share the sidewalk. Do not walk two or three or four abreast, especially when you see another person or persons walking toward you. Or, if you hear people coming up behind you.

Goodness gracious folks - didn't your parents ever teach you anything about good manners and being considerate of others?

Please make room. That means walking single file until after you pass the other person. Really, its quite easy to do - it won't take a lot of effort on your part.

It is the little considerate things we do that make neighborhoods so much more pleasant for everyone.

Posted 2 years ago #
Smitty
Member Profile

I love busting through the "three abreast" coffee chatters who think they own the sidewalk. Being a relatively big guy I love picking a line and sticking to it......but I'm sure they think that I am the rude one.

Posted 2 years ago #
anonyme
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I am a small woman, not a big guy, but I've frequently crashed through these hog lines. I sometimes announce "Two-way sidewalk!" as I do so.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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love it when i am wielding a walker or wheelchair...

EXCUSE ME .. i'd hate to hit you with this thing:)

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
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Right there with you, Smitty.
My favorite sidewalk hogs are the parents with each holding a coffee and a pastry from Bakery Nouveau, a stroller, a toddler, and a dog, lurching down California, completely spread apart, parents ignoring the dog and the toddler while the fumble for their I-phones.
I guess when even THAT overwhelms your multi-tasking abilities, paying attention to, and being thoughtful of your fellow pedestrians is WWAAYY down the list of priorities.

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
Member Profile

sort of the other side...I walk with a cane. I am just a tad slower than quite a few walkers. I get highly annoyed when someone who is more surefooted than I am comes up behind me, gets on my heels and is breathing down my neck. Please to go around me, PLEASE. I am not going to move for you, as I am the one with the cane. If I am walking with someone I will stop and move over at times...but it's NOT always my problem, NOT always up to me to accommodate you, the more sure footed one. You walk on the grass for once and give me the sidewalk.

Thank you very much :)

Posted 2 years ago #
JayDee
Member Profile

I am considerate of those with canes/walkers/infirmities. I may be there one day, but not yet. Until then I bide my time and cool my jets.
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I am fairly large and sometimes when confronted with an unyielding group of peds, I will just stop (looking behind me before I do so) and wait for the truth to dawn on them.
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My pet theory is that people walk like they drive. You get those seemingly able-bodied folks who stop at the end of the escalators downtown and are surprised when others literally run into them.
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OK: I have ended my "Andy Rooney" moment: "Don't you just hate it when..."

Posted 2 years ago #
cakeitseasy
Member Profile

Yes, and judging sidewalk etiquette, many never learned to keep right either. Personally, I think a lot of social discourtesy trickles down from the 'hippy generation' who felt they had to break through rules and social norms to express themselves with complete, unfettered freedom. Yield to others on a sidewalk? Leash the dog? Follow traffic rules? Don't cramp my style, man, you're such a facist, loosen up, it's a free country! I notice a lot more of this behavior around Seattle than any other city I've been too. It could also just be that it's a city that is increasing population faster than it can adjust. Still, you have to wonder about people who were raised with the attitude 'what's the problem? they can just go around ME.(because my right to enjoy myself trumps being considerate).

Posted 2 years ago #
pam
Member Profile

amen to all of the above!

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
Member Profile

40+ years later, can't we let the hippies off the hook as the genesis of all societies ills?
Most of the oblivious sidewalk hogs appear to me to be under 40, which places them squarely in the selfish Reagan generation, thinking their exceptionalism trumps the need for consideration and politeness.

Posted 2 years ago #
blackwatch
Member Profile

I'm totally with you, I'm really tired of Hippy bashing. The hippy movement might have been a bit naive at times, but at least our hearts and ethics were in the right place. There was kindness and concern for others, rather than the eat or be eaten attitudes that abound today.

Posted 1 year ago #
thee
Member Profile

i glad this thread is back... it has so much potential!

Posted 1 year ago #
ws4ever
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and in the name of common courtesy while pedding around, don't people teach their kids (of all ages) not to point and stare, or not to say disparaging things about passersby? It's the comments that I see otherwise civil-looking people make that just floor me.

Posted 1 year ago #
Smitty
Member Profile

I love this thread. I am not in the "hippie generations fault" camp. I grew up in a area with a LOT of hippies and while I never thought they were the sharpest knives in the drawer (nuclear freeze? really?) they were all kind and courteous. Compared to the Y or whatever is after generation X(the best ever!!) and their WTO crap, they were saints.

Sidewalk hogs are almost always SAHM with a DTNL, IMO.

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
Member Profile

Send the sidewalk hogs over to this thread

http://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/rant-chupacabras-tethered-to-signsbike-racks-outside-stores

and they'll be taken care of. Sidewalk cows and chickens also accepted.

Posted 1 year ago #
HolyKow
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Common courtesy (and common sense for that matter...) is decidedly uncommon these days.

hk

Posted 1 year ago #
Kevin
Member Profile

If I'm overtaking a group of sidewalk hogs I generally will break into a little jog and get around them and then continue to keep to the right. Ok, so maybe once in awhile I may look behind with with a glare. I do like the "coming through" announcement that one writer suggested.
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When meeting a group head on I generally tend to keep right and then come to a screeching halt right before the point of "collision."
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Amazing how even once nose to nose, most of them STILL don't get it.
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My favorite comment is "kind of like driving a car"... or occasionally asking the question "I hope you don't drive your car on the wrong side of the road"...
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I just can't understand why more people don't have the common sense to keep right. Most of them seem to EXPECT that you will step off the sidewalk or path and YIELD to them.
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Posted 1 year ago #
CMP
Member Profile

I've found that you're either a yielder or a hog. I always move out of the way, and have even tried to make myself play the "walk straight" game and can't do it. Try it some time when you're at the mall. You'll be amazed at how many people just come right at you, expecting you to move. Be considerate please!

Posted 1 year ago #
Trisha
Member Profile

I use the same method as JayDee above - I just stop and let them work it out/walk around me. That way, I am not being overly aggressive, but I am also not giving up my right to also use the sidewalk.

Posted 1 year ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

I stay to the far right and if "the other pedestrian(s)" don't figure it out, I just stop in my tracks. Exceptions, of course, to people pushing strollers, elderly, or others who obviously need some leeway.

Posted 1 year ago #
spana
Member Profile

I do this wacky thing where I say "Excuse me" and smile as I pass those pesky other pedestrians! WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN

Posted 1 year ago #
kg
Member Profile

I too tend to be aware of others as I walk down California while out with my small children. I do find it rude to 'hog' up the entire sidewalk, so I make an effort to not let the kids run around all hibbedy jibbedy. I don't quite understand the multi-taskers who can't enjoy a nice day to be bothered by getting their nose out of their smart phone.
That being said....It will be an interesting news day on the WSB when someone wants to barge through in between me and my child holding hands because they perceive us to be taking up too much room as we slowly meander down the sidewalk on a nice day.

Posted 1 year ago #
austin
Member Profile

I was wondering when we'd get to the other side of the fence on this thread. Threats of violence from a protective parent wasn't the direction I was expecting, but kudos.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

i wouldn't dream of busting through a mother holding hands with her kids...

those that irritate me are holding the cellphone in one hand.. pushing a stroller with the other.. and have kids and dogs attached to leashes...

a mother actually connecting to and paying attention to her children? I not only get out of the way.. i do so with a smile.

I have considered carrying a cane though...
just to stick through the spokes of the idiots on bikes who think their right to move speedily down the sidewalk without alerting your to their presence trumps your right to walk slowly enough to enjoy the scenery...
or to trip the joggers who barrel through people walking without breaking stride...
or to crack over the heads of ...

but.... that is another thing altogether ;->

Posted 1 year ago #
Erik
Member Profile

I always walk on the parking strip to get around groups since I'm usually faster and have much better balance than most people.
This olde hockey player knows better than to bust through lines...I've put enough people on the bench with my thirst for the puck.

Posted 1 year ago #
JanS
Member Profile

JoB...I will rent out my cane anytime :)

Posted 1 year ago #
HunterG
Member Profile

I do hate sidewalk hogs, but don't you think it is a little ridiculous to expect a party of TWO, to walk single file just because you are walking past?

Sure, I understand if the individual is in a wheelchair or something but come on two people?

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

ok.. i'll bite..

are we walking past going in the same direction?
if so.. those occupying the sidewalk in front of us have right of way...
pass at your own peril :(

if we are walking in opposite directions...
perhaps there is some validity to right of way...

but i think this begs the question...
it's not about what you can get away with..
it's about common courtesy...

if you are healthy and unencumbered enough to step around someone else..
just do it...
and count your blessings that you can.

Today i would give anything for the blessing of kicking it into passing gear and navigating my way past those sidewalk hogs...

Posted 1 year ago #
JanS
Member Profile

JoB...

"Today i would give anything for the blessing of kicking it into passing gear and navigating my way past those sidewalk hogs..."

I am sooo with you on that !

Posted 1 year ago #
DP
Member Profile

I'm just glad to hear about so many people using their feets instead of their cars.

Hooray for Walkable West Seattle! And Good Karma to all y'all.

  Hogs
   Yielders
    Even Cane-Wielders

Posted 1 year ago #
sweetandy
Member Profile

Whenever I'm with others, I usually walk behind them. They walk three abreast and I'm behind them, and they wonder what my problem is. Even when somebody else is walking straight at them and they're taking up the entire sidewalk, they just don't get it. I hate teenagers. (Full disclosure: I'm 19.)
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This was a problem when I was walking through the Alaska junction in that time between 2-4pm while school was in session, as kids were just getting out of school. Fortunately for me, I'm nimble enough that I dash off into the street (just a bit!) or squeeze between planters and parked cars until I'm past. Once again, the young generation needs to learn some manners.

Posted 1 year ago #
ws4ever
Member Profile

Word is out that next week DOT will be painting a center line down West Seattle sidewalks...

Posted 1 year ago #
Magpie
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I've perfected my stance downtown (where they walk 4 across and hold hands while they walk at a snail's pace, oblivious to the rest of the world). The standing still and making them break hands works best. I'm sure they are mostly tourists. Every now and then they don't stop and they run smack dab in to me (it's usually one of the kids) and then I get to give a quick lecture on sidewalk etiquette or say Excuse you, fairly loudly. Either it will make them think or go home hating how rude Seattlieites are....

If they are in front of me, I will wait for my space and dash around, while letting them know they aren't the only ones entitled to the sidewalk. I'm just thankful that bike messengers are a thing of the past!

Posted 1 year ago #
desertdweller
Member Profile

I dunno, just saying "excuse me" and moving on might be the least passive aggressive thing to do...but by all means, lets be typical Seattle-ites and bitch about a problem instead of facing it head-on.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

speaking up is often the most radical thing you can do

Posted 1 year ago #
sweetandy
Member Profile

JoB, great insight on modern culture! Never one to stay quiet, I think I'll voice my concern next time it comes up, albeit politely.

Posted 1 year ago #