Sharing the footpath
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36107
Printed Date: 24 August 2025 at 9:15pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sharing the footpath
Posted By: JessDub
Subject: Sharing the footpath
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:42pm
|
Do you walk on the left or right, or just wherever?
I always walk (with buggy and dog) on the left - because we drive on the left so it seems the logical thing to do - but lately I've had to stop and move over for just about everyone. Is there something I don't know, what is correct walking etiquette? (This issue is grinding my gears, especially with a big dog on leash and buggy to manoeuvre) ------------- 
|
Replies:
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:48pm
|
We were always taught (in south africa though) by my Dad to walk so you can see the oncoming traffic. So you work on the right hand side of the street and you can be more aware of what is going on.
Dont ask me if this is the right thing however. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:48pm
|
don't know what the rules are.... but this one really peeves me too!
i've been walking with a small baby in my arms, no umbrella, and had to move out into the rain to get out of the way of someone WITH an umbrella!!  some people just live in their own little world... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 6:54pm
|
Found this:
Safety tips for pedestrians Footpaths provide a safe place for pedestrians. Where there is no footpath, walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic, except on curves, where it is best to walk on the outside edge of the curve. Cross the road only when it is safe to do so, using pedestrian crossing where available. When crossing the road at night, cross near a street light if you can. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:00pm
|
in wgtn and around uni and stuff ppl walk on the left too same as the cars. dunno why but everyone seems to follow like sheep so thats what we do. lol. because i have a buggy when i go on walks if anyone isnt walking on the left they seem to get out the way anyway cos it is easier for them than me with a dbl buggy ------------- 
|
Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:00pm
|
I say stick to the left.
I'm that stubborn b!tch who stops walking and stands there holding the buggy waiting for them to go round me 
|
Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:31pm
|
I stick to the left too. -------------  
|
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:34pm
|
Yip left too! Is very funny watching Lambton Quay in Wellington at lunch time and everyone clearly walks on the left hand side! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
 Angel baby - May 2008
|
Posted By: catisla
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:42pm
you can always tell the tourists in wellington cos they walk just wherever and wonder why they get dirty looks from the locals  i think it is quite funny really that the rule for walking on the left has just developed in that way------------- |
Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:47pm
|
I always walk on the left.
In London on the escalators up/down to the tube, people stand on the left (or is it right?) and if not, people who are running up or down to get tube get really cross. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
|
Posted By: LateStarterLorna
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:57pm
Same At least when walking a dog, will be the same with a buggy, I am a nice person who will move to let buggies thru if its smaller path regardless of which side
If you want them to move out of your way, the trick is not to make eye contact, be in you're own world
What annoys me most is those that are two or three abreast and still expect you to move out the way, whilst they carry on, stand your ground, unless they are bigger than you lol ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/weIHiFu/" rel="nofollow">  |
MooCow wrote:Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 8:52pm
|
I'm sure we were taught at primary school (way back when) to stick to the left- same as traffic. Maybe tourists stick to the right as they drive on the right?
It grinds my gears too ------------- http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers"> |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 9:46pm
|
We do left here as well. I also walk my dog on the left & therefore I or the buggy & I are between her and others wanting to use the foot path.
Up in Auckland, people were walking all over the place. This was Queen street, it was really annoying. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Troods
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 10:03pm
|
I've always walked to the left of the footpath, seems the logical thing to do.
Yep in London on the tube escalators you are meant to stand to the right, which always struck me as odd, but then I figured they allowed for the fact people probably carry stuff over the right shoulder, so stops bags etc getting in the way of people in a hurry walking/running up an down the escalators?? Also, what do you do when walking diagonally across a buzzer controlled intersection? I always veer slightlly to the left, to avoid colliding with people coming the other way. In my head, if everyone did that, we'd probably avoid collisions from all 4 directions. Does that make sense? Or am I just thinking weird? ------------- 
Missed MC July 2011
|
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 10:13pm
|
When walking on a footpath (whichever side of the road) I stick to the left of the footpath. It's just the logical thing to do.
When running on the road (no footpath) I run towards traffic on the right side of the road so no cars can sneak up behind me and run me down without me knowing. Lol. (Unless the left side has a way wider verge - then I run on that side to keep off the road as much as possible). ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:08am
|
i walk in the middle! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:15am
| Cant say Ive ever thought about what side of the path to walk on, I just walk and if I see someone coming, obviously move to whichever side so we can pass each other, to me that seems to be the logical thing to do. |
Posted By: MyLilSquishy
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:20am
|
if you are talking which side of the road - just depends on where im going
but if you mean which side of the footpath - i always walk on the left (like you drive on the left) thats the way i was brought up. its just common sense really |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 8:30am
|
It depends on the footpath. Some are narrow so I will walk near the road when I have the pram so no one walking past me forces me it to a garden of down a bank. The kids walk on the other side of me so not near the road.
If there are no paths & you need to walk on the road I always walk head on to traffic, unless it is bin day & can not get around them with the pram so have to hop on the road every now & then. I too do the no eye contact if I don't intend to move. It is a lot harder to move a pram out of the way from someone walking. I do it in the mall also. Pet hate is cars & trucks parked on the foot path & we have some narrow footpaths where I have had to walk on the road with a pram to get around. |
Posted By: julz85
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 11:45am
|
i dont know about which side of the path to walk on but in australia its very big no no to stand still on the right side of the escalator . left side is for those standing still , right side is if you wanna walk up . people get very angry and rude if you doint follow this rule , not quite the same here in NZ iv noticed , people are way more laid back about it . ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
|
Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 11:51am
|
I walk to the left, or if I'm not and someone is walking towards me I then move to the left so they'll pass me on my right.
But speaking of having to move your buggy and dog for other people, I find this so annoying in the mall. When you have a trolley loaded with groceries and usually a child in the trolley too and maybe with one walking, and people don't move out of your way or walk in front of the trolley so you have to stop, and try to manoeuvre the trolley around people, hard task when it's heavy!! It takes 2 sec to go around the trolley, or wait for the trolley pass, instead of jumping in front of the trolley and making me stop! ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: MyLilSquishy
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 12:05pm
when people do this it makes me want to yell at them in the middle of the store and start calling them inconsiderate and rude and lazy (that they wouldnt take an extra step forward or back) and all that lol. makes me angry. im actually a really courteous person and grew up with the "please and thank you" mantra, and whenever i have to walk past someone in the supermarket aisle that is stopped and looking something, ill say a quick and bláze "sorry" on my way past so they dont think im rude. lol i ended up passing this guy and his (approx 1yo? daughter) one day with DS in his pram and after the third time he told me i could stop apologising and he would just assume "sorry" for the rest of the shop (was only in the 4th aisle lol) |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 4:41pm
OMG people drive me insane when they don't walk on an escalator/travelator and take up the whole space so I can't get past! Not only are they inconsiderate but they are also lazy! (I'm not talking about people with trolleys/prams/little kids before you jump on me )
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 4:47pm
|
....walking?
whats that again ? ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 4:55pm
|
Haha, my dh will say loudly when people are doing this "funny how some people think this is a ride". ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 5:03pm
It's that thing you do between the car and the supermarket when going to get chocolate and beer. (In the supermarket you just glide around behind the trolley, so that doesn't really count as walking.....) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 5:54pm
|
ahhhh thanks Delli, thought it sounded vaguely familiar -------------
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: sbeach
Date Posted: 07 October 2010 at 5:55pm
|
you think not walking on the escalator is funny.....I work at the airport and sometimes we can monitor where the passengers are through the CCTV...some people queue to get on the travelators!!!! it is the funniest thing ever!!!! they arent very long and the walk is only on a very slight incline!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 8:50am
|
people actually want to walk up an esculator??? if you wanted to walk why would you not take the stairs?
But it bugs me, pre baby i always used to go out of my way if there was a buggy oncoming. Hardly ever happens to me now :( |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 9:42am
Because there are no stairs! It's a travelator or nothing in my mall. |
Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 11:22am
|
Ok so country hick here
Whats a travelator????? |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 11:40am
|
Im wondering the same thing moocow lol
and pff I dont walk up an esculator lol, I stand there and let it take me up, thats what its for. Unless Im in a rush, then I will walk up it. Call me lazy, I dont care 
|
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 11:45am
|
A travelator is like an escator but it goes along the ground. They are usually in air ports when the gates are miles away from the main terminal. It;s really cool to walk along them as you feel like you are going fast & then gravity hits you when you get off LOL ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 11:45am
|
It's a moving footpath - like a flat escalator ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 12:02pm
|
I was going to say wtf is a travelator!
Exactly Sheza, thats what they are for. Totally not lazy! |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 12:29pm
|
Travelators also go up like an escalator but they are flat without the steps. They use them in place of an escalator in malls so that you can use trolleys on them.
That's fine if people want to stand on an escalator but don't take up all of the room so that people can't get past! I'm always in a hurry to get out of a mall 
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 12:37pm
| Ohh they have one of those at the mall I go to, Ive been on it once or twice - Once with the pram and a huge trolley thing(was me and my nana), we just stood there cos yeah, for obvious reasons lol. The other time I went on it with the pram, we walked up it(it felt weird lol). |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 1:33pm
|
I hate it too when people stop in the middle of the escalator/travelator or supermarket aisles etc and take up all the room so you can't pass! Sometimes I walk up the escalators depending on who I'm with. If I'm with DH we walk up, if I'm with my mum we stay still lol (but I always stand behind her so other people can pass us.)
I was in a shop once and this man and his kids were taking up the whole aisle and I couldn't get past. I said "excuse me" a couple of times but they didn't hear me (or ignored me!) so eventually I just squeezed past them. The man turned around and growled "An excuse me would be nice!"  geez make me feel like the rude one!------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 1:52pm
|
I hate when people, mostly old ladies lol, stand in the middle of the aisle at the supermarket and banter!! OMG so annoying! usually I have to screaming fighting kids in the trolley and when I have to stand there and say excuse me a million times it pisses me right off,
Same goes for people who stand in the middle of the mall aisle/walkway parts and talk, mostly teenager and old people! and they wont move, they make you go round them! and with a pram that really makes me mad. |
Posted By: catisla
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 3:45pm
|
People who get to the top or bottom of the escalator and then stand there dithering while they decide which way they want to go, meanwhile ignoring the people piling into the back of them
coldsores 
people who say 'less' when they mean 'fewer' people who say 'literally' when they don't mean it, as in 'there were literally millions of people in the shop" or the like people who say they are starving when they have never known what it is really like to be starving People who leave the beep on the keypad on their phones so all you can hear is beep beep beep when they text animals kept in cages, but especially birds ------------- |
Posted By: catisla
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 3:49pm
|
oops -got mixed up between this one and the Grind you Gears thread!
i will add people who don't post properly in forums to that list! ------------- |
Posted By: MrsMc
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 5:25pm
|
I walk anywhere unless there's people coming the opposite way then I head left.
I find it very frustrating when you move to the left and the other people just keep on walking anywhere making you walk on the grass. unless of course the person coming towards me has a buggy or child on a bike etc then i move right onto the grass |
Posted By: nathansmummy
Date Posted: 11 October 2010 at 9:09pm
|
I walk anywhere on the footpath and if I can move over to allow people to pass I will. If I'm carrying my baby I expect them to move out the way for me. If I have my buggy I often let them pass first - it depends on whether it would mean going into a ditch or something - obviously I'm not going to do that to my baby.
I remember being single and thinking that mothers with babies thought that because they have a buggy they have the right to demand right of way and that used to really annoy me. However, the stress of manoevering (sp?) a buggy around shops, cafes etc., it's helpful when people make it easier for you. And when I was pregnant I was sooo shocked that people would barge past me or rush to get in line before me or make me stand and wait for them to walk past. Chivalry (and even just good manners) is dead. The other week I was struggling to get through double doors with my buggy, and a man probably late early 30's was standing there with his very expensive suit on, looking at his very expensive watch, trendy shirt and tie (oh so glam) - just stood there and watched me until I said to him in an annoyed tone "can you help me please?" and he did, but I didn't say thanks and just rolled my eyes at one of the cafe staff. Ugh. I hope it's just Auckland and not everywhere. |
Posted By: amme_eilyk
Date Posted: 12 October 2010 at 12:26pm
| I walk anywhere unless there are people coming towards me when I head left. I will be expecting them to get out of my way when I have the buggy. I have a tendency to stare them down (i must be scary) when I am pushing my nana in a wheelchair. Admittedly I am committed to running them down with her as the wheelchair is pretty solid and they would get smacked in the shins with the footrests and no harm would come to my nana. I love the walk and glare, best thing I learned in Italy. |
Posted By: LateStarterLorna
Date Posted: 12 October 2010 at 1:42pm
|
Cars parking over the footpath, ahhhhh so annoying, I want to put bullbars on the front of the pram and ram the car, one does it round the corner and by the looks its impossible to get round, so you have to walk out into the middle of the road because they also have a car parked on the road, heaps of other road spaces too, theres no gap between street car and pavement car, so you cant even go on the verge, I make make a note to stick on windscreeens - with glue hahahaha
I do ram trolleys left in the middle of the isle and the person has wandered off, if they are around, I make comments to them as I pass - I suspect I might get beaten up soon ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/weIHiFu/" rel="nofollow"> |