3 ms·
I had; and to a certain degree, still have this issue. But I got my rate of doing the "get-past-you shuffle" down quite a bit after learning a simple trick. W
by asadjb 8y ago
I had; and to a certain degree, still have this issue.
But I got my rate of doing the "get-past-you shuffle" down quite a bit after learning a simple trick.
While I avoid eye contact, most people do not. Most people, when they see an on-coming person, judge which side (left/right) to pass them by looking at their gaze.
The trick is to look in the direction you want to pass the other person in. So if you're going to take the left side, look to your left.
Most people will then pass you on your right side.
- failrate 8y agoYep, head facing is maybe even better than eye contact. In addition, local road rules even out the rest (e.g. which side of the road do people drive on in the country where you are currently walking).
- eridius 8y agoDefinitely head facing. If I'm anticipating a collision, I generally turn my head slightly in the direction I'm going even if I don't move my eyes. I think of it like my nose is pointing to the side I'm going.
- feintruled 8y agoAnother good technique is to commit to avoidance early, and stick to it. For example, when you notice the collision course, start bearing left immediately - the other person may have started to move in that direction, which would normally start the 'shuffle' as you both shift to your right, but you short-circuit that by not reciprocating - keep left. Seems like it might be rude, but in practice it doesn't seem so, the relief outweighs any ill feeling (or so I imagine!)
- darkerside 8y agoA quick hand wave in the direction you're going works even better
- kqr 8y agoAnother is to just stop, stand still, and wait for the other person to solve the situation. I've realized how terrible I am at dealing with those situations so that's what I've started to do.
- wdutch 8y agoGreat advice! I'm definitely going to put this into practice.