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Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:07 am
by Canuikstan
When i am walking down the street and come across a group of people standing and blocking the pathway... I walk right up to the edge of their group and then stop and look at them intently.

This generally unnerves enough of them that they part.

If i am walking down the sidewalk and a group of them are walking towards me, i continue on my path, until we come face to face.. and then stop and look at them intently.

This generally unnerves them enough that they walk around me.


You don't have to be timid or bitchy. just be confident and walk with a smile..

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:47 pm
by Zazu
The worst place for sidewalk hogs seems to be Downtown Disney, especially the sidewalk past Pleasure Island in the early evenings.

My approach is to first place SWMBO behind me. If I don't, her sharp tongue may start more than I care to finish.

Second, I move to the right edge of the sidewalk.

Third, I stop just before collision.

Fourth, I employ the skills I learned as a lineman back in high school football.

Finally, look down with an expression of pity and suggest they watch where they're going in future. *Never* offer to help them up -- resume walking at once.


Only once have I needed more than this. It was a summer evening about 7:30, and the kids had decided to congregate in front of the local theater. All over the front of the theater. I checked, and they hadn't left a single path to the parking lot.

So, I chose the thinnest spot in the crowd, and headed for it shouting, "Pardon me! Coming through! Gangway!" over and over until I was obliged to knock two of them down to get through.

Was I worried about having 100 teens angry with me? Not for a moment. You see, I'm (way) over 40, and thus am completely invisible!!!

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:44 pm
by Syndrome
Zazu wrote:So, I chose the thinnest spot in the crowd, and headed for it shouting, "Pardon me! Coming through! Gangway!" over and over until I was obliged to knock two of them down to get through.
This is a good strategy on the Disney ship when big groups of teens (and sometimes groups of kids including their rude idiot parents) decide that the main staircases are actually chairs in disguise. I've seen other people complain that "Excuse me" or indirect mumbled comments don't work. Of course not! You have to appeal to their sense of self preservation. I just yell, "Coming through!" while continuing at a brisk, no-nonsense pace that backs up the tone of my words. Only rarely do I actually have to trample anyone...they tend to move pretty quickly.

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:09 pm
by kurtisnelson
Zazu wrote:.
Did someone say something?

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:18 pm
by markstudy
5 ladies tried to walk through me like I was a ghost. It was very funny when they found out that I am solid matter.

These 5 ladies looked like a Martha Stewart tea party all dressed up. They come walking down the sidewalk towards me at Animal Kingdom. ... I usually use the stop and make them go around. But these ladies thought they owned the world :p:

So, in a flash, I remembered just a fragment of a movie line from one of my favorite old movies (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) ... "ramming speed" :twisted:

The ladies took one last look at me and split like bowling pins flying in all directions after I throw one hard strike.

They looked at me like they couldn't believe I held fast to my half of the sidewalk. I have never seen a better priss face. :D:

What is it about girls and herd mentality? Reminds me of being in High School and no girl would ever ride in the back seat, even if I had to pile 3 in the front seat with me ;) :D:

Sorry, but sidewalk bullies are fast becoming one of my favorite things to run into at Disney... "Go ahead Punk!... do you feel lucky?"

PS I always duck in-front of my wife when we are walking 2-wide and come-up on other people. Its the polite thing to do!

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:16 am
by BRWombat
markstudy wrote:So, in a flash, I remembered just a fragment of a movie line from one of my favorite old movies (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) ... "ramming speed" :twisted: ...
Also, Animal House. :D:

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:24 pm
by DevilDuckie
mechurchlady wrote: FAT LADY WITH A GOUDA COMING THROUGH.

I am stealing this line. I can think of all sorts of moments when it would be useful.

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:26 pm
by hobie16
BRWombat wrote:Also, Animal House. :D:
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Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:51 pm
by disneyaddict
kurtisnelson wrote:Did someone say something?


No, it's just the voices in your head... :eek: .

Re: How to deal with sidewalk bullies

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:35 pm
by mechurchlady
DevilDuckie wrote:I am stealing this line. I can think of all sorts of moments when it would be useful.
FAT LADY WITH A GOUDA COMING THROUGH.

People only hear the fat lady with a....
They do not hear the rest and get befuddled and think you said something important.

Psychology and the SG mind is a facinating topic, lol.