created by Atticuslacroix on 26/02/2025 at 22:37 UTC
91 upvotes, 38 top-level comments (showing 25)
Having lived in many cities, I’ve observed a common, unspoken rule when it comes to walking in public spaces: groups of people naturally adjust their formation to allow others to pass. The general understanding is that no one should selfishly take up an entire pathway by walking side by side, especially in busy areas. However, in Edinburgh, I’ve noticed that this rule seems to be the exception rather than the norm.
It’s a recurring issue—groups walking three or four abreast, oblivious to those approaching in the opposite direction, forcing individuals like myself into awkward situations. The choices are either to stop and wait for them to notice (which often takes longer than it should) or to stand my ground and risk walking straight into them.
This raises an interesting question: if social courtesy is not being observed, is it fair game to hold my path rather than constantly yielding? After all, if there is no other option but to stop or collide, why should the burden always be on the lone pedestrian to accommodate the group?
It’s a fascinating aspect of pedestrian behaviour that differs from city to city. In some places, particularly where space is scarce, people seem more aware of their surroundings and automatically make way for others. But in Edinburgh, perhaps due to its high volume of tourists, students, or simply cultural norms, this awareness appears to be lacking.
Ultimately, should people who ignore pedestrian etiquette be met with passive resistance, or does politeness dictate that one must always give way? Is it a case of standing firm or adapting to the local flow, even if it feels unfair?
Comment by sjhill at 26/02/2025 at 22:42 UTC
171 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Ramming speed.
Comment by monstera_152 at 26/02/2025 at 23:26 UTC
73 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If they’re coming towards me in a line across the pavement I put my resting bitch face on, stare directly at them and walk confidently straight at them. Usually they’re quick enough to realise I’m not stopping but I have no hesitation in walking right through them if not.
Comment by ForTheStory52 at 26/02/2025 at 23:21 UTC
116 upvotes, 5 direct replies
I just stopped moving out the way. So many tourists have just barged right into me as if I don't exist, and then they act shocked, but I'm so so tired of moving out of their way.
Comment by ambolefum at 26/02/2025 at 23:46 UTC
44 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I refuse to move (within reason)
If it's an elderly person, someone with a pram, someone in a wheelchair etc I will bend over backwards to move, but other than that if I'm going with the flow of traffic, someone is clearly aiming for me and expecting me to move or there's people walking 2+ abreast and expect me to move, we are going to collide because I'm standing my ground.
Today I was walking to my car and 2 young boys were walking side by side, at one point I was literally standing IN a puddle trying to get in my car and I had little room to move and he still expected to, we ended up shoulder checking eachother and tbh I have no regrets.
Comment by cynicalveggie at 26/02/2025 at 23:41 UTC
47 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Long story short; ram through them. I've nearly got hit too many times by stepping onto the road to avoid an oncoming group.
The harder question is: what is the protocol if the group is heading the same direction as you? Say they're in front of you, walking incredibly slow and taking up the whole pavement, and you just can't walk past. It's a bit harder to walk through from behind.
Comment by TDogBud710 at 26/02/2025 at 22:47 UTC
43 upvotes, 2 direct replies
If it’s just one person on an empty street and I’m on the left I’ll hold my own but if there is a flow of people in my path I’ll move accordingly.
It’s hard as I’ve always been taught to walk on the left (hallways in schools mostly) and especially with Waverly having multiple signs about walking on the left I assumed it was the standard. The flow is only determined by the people in it, on North Bridge I’m often switching from left to right and finding myself doing the same anywhere else.
Comment by Common_Physics_1568 at 27/02/2025 at 07:10 UTC
17 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Third option is to loudly say "excuse me". People generally leap apart in shock. Works especially well with groups strolling down north bridge oblivious to the people being forced onto the road to get past them.
They just need to be brought out of their own little worlds.
Comment by Proper_Jicama_7885 at 26/02/2025 at 23:15 UTC
13 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I could’ve written this myself! So frustrating. I end up having to cut into the road last minute so often because people seem to think that they shouldn’t make space when walking side by side
Comment by __orangepeel__ at 27/02/2025 at 12:53 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'm getting tshirts made
I'll then start selling them to this sub. I will make pounds! Pounds I tells ya.
Comment by nbanbury at 27/02/2025 at 07:39 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Main character energy is the issue. People think the world revolves around them, and everyone else is an NPC. Bellends.
Comment by NorthernJimi at 27/02/2025 at 07:54 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Ask yourself, what would Franco Begbie do...
Comment by Man1cNeko at 27/02/2025 at 00:34 UTC
12 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I live in a tourist destination and this phenomenon is also on display. I think it’s something to do with that. We often say “wherever the fuck you’re from- there are sidewalks and they probably work the same way” but that goes out the window when people are in a different city gawking.
Comment by HaggisPope at 27/02/2025 at 06:55 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yeah, some people just don’t think in this city. It gets worse too, sometimes I’ve seen visiting school groups of like 20 kids taking up an entire length of street while waiting for a bus.
Comment by Botter_Wattle at 27/02/2025 at 07:46 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I went through a phase of getting angry about this and trying to hold my line but eventually I've come round to thinking it actually doesn't matter. I don't "lose" if I move, I lose if I let it get me worked up. So I'll move and have a quiet eye roll/tut then carry on with my day.
Comment by ironicadler at 27/02/2025 at 10:41 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I use a cane to walk. If large groups of people taking up the whole pavement don't get out of my way, a cane to the ankles is pretty effective.
Comment by Nuo_Vibro at 27/02/2025 at 08:01 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
stand still, let them walk around you
Comment by DemonEggy at 27/02/2025 at 11:16 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My partner, being a small, angry Scottish woman with no fear, walks straight through people who are in the way. However I, being an apologetic, pacifist Canadian, always get left behind.
Comment by robbie-jobbie at 27/02/2025 at 08:25 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Overpopulation + Overtourism + Overstudentification = Pavement full of multiple cross-purpose pedestrian groups of varying size and pace.
A solo pedestrian has a singular focus. A group has... friends!
Comment by lodestonesaremagnets at 27/02/2025 at 00:31 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
When I am facing oncoming sidewalk traffic of a group of people , and they don't adjust their configuration, I stop walking so that if there's a collision, it's their fault. I also like to say 'don't let me get in your fucking way' when people bump into to me on the sidewalk. Especially in the summer.
Comment by nyxoh22 at 27/02/2025 at 08:27 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The amount of times I’ve walked down northbridge at 1mph because three or four tourists have devided to walk right next to eachother is mental people should know always walk together with the spave for someone to pass
Comment by GammaBlaze at 27/02/2025 at 11:23 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Become the bowling ball.
Comment by obake_ga_ippai at 27/02/2025 at 12:47 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's getting worse for sure. I usually refuse to make room for groups who are being oblivious, but lately that's resulted in people actually bumping into me. Before, they would notice my existence at the last second and move.
It would be great if folk would stick to a general rule like always walking on the left. Middle Meadow Walk is like a slalom, having to weave in and out of groups who've decided to forge their own paths regardless of what others are doing.
Comment by Murky-Ice-5227 at 27/02/2025 at 12:55 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Tourists aside, Stockbridge mamas with van sized prams walking side by side are probably the worst cause they know it and they don't give a shit.
Comment by Smart-Commercial2012 at 27/02/2025 at 08:17 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Drop the shoulder, let them know you're there
Comment by seaflans at 27/02/2025 at 22:51 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The other issue is this city can't decide what side of the pavement to walk on! If you drive on the left, you should walk on the left! Or Don't I **dont care! just have a rule!** *it would be far easier to justify (to myself) ramming someone for taking up the sidewalk, if I knew I had the right of way on one particular side or the other.* And I think this is a small part of why we get these big linear blocks of people, because when no one can decide which side of the line should drop behind their friends, as they're on the wrong side of the pavement, no one does drop in. I don't feel i've explained this well but maybe someone will get the gist of it.
