How to deal with sidewalk bullies

[thomaskr]

I don't know what it is with people, but when they're 2, 3 - even 4 - to a breast coming down the sidewalk (or even just standing there blocking it) they somehow feel as if the rest of the world should just walk around them. As if being in a group, they act like some kind of SG unit - larger and stronger than the individual.

The worst is when you're walking down the sidewalk and you have to step onto the street to get out of their way (and here I can definitely point to non-Westerners as being the evilest culprits). The Disney slant to this post is that I did this at the age of 8 at WDW in Main Street and almost got creamed by a horse-drawn wagon.

So, I've forumlated a "work-around" of sorts. It doesn't always work, but even if it doesn't you usually end up the better man.

Rule #1: People are assholes - go into these showdowns with the awareness that "people are assholes". Generally, anybody who walks side-by-side on a sidewalk without intention to duck behind or in front of the other people they are walking with are ignorant and self-pretentious asshats.

Rule #2: Don't EVER make eye contact - keeping Rule #1 in mind, if you make eye contact, the asshole will invariably play a game of "I'm not moving/ I'm better than you/ I was here first" etc. If they make way, they are being polite and considerate as well as going out of their way to not be an asshole. Both of these things they will never do. HOWEVER! If you do NOT make eyecontact, then they will not have this challenging frame of mind in place.

Rule #3: Look away - make a point of looking at a building/car/pretty person across the street. Become engrossed so that the person bearing down on you notices YOU DON'T NOTICE THEM. That means that a) they will expect an accident and will avoid you and b) by making way under these circumstances, they are not "giving in" and "losing face".

Rule #4: steel yourself - get ready in case they are bigger assholes than you thought and are incapable of consideration of others around them. If you tense up or prepare for collision, you will (unless you're much much smaller) get the best of the collision (if it happens at all). Of all of the times my technique didn't quite work, the guy was slightly smaller than me, but I had sped up and was prepared. In the circumstance, my ONLY option (because they were 3 abreast) was to step into a heavily-trafficked street with buses and I surely would have gotten creamed. Ridiculous, I know, but I know he saw me but still insisted on maintaining his "right of way". The end result was he hit the ground and I didn't. I pretended to be completely surprised and although his initial reaction was anger, he realized that he was at fault and went on his way. An addition to this Rule is "aim for the space between people" if that's possible or you feel that you aren't large enough.

Anyway, there you go. If you act like an innocent twit, the assholes most often will make way.

Your mileage may vary.

[disneyaddict]

I don't know what it is with people, but when they're 2, 3 - even 4 - to a breast coming down the sidewalk (or even just standing there blocking it) they somehow feel as if the rest of the world should just walk around them. As if being in a group, they act like some kind of SG unit - larger and stronger than the individual.

People do this all the time at my school...it's so annoying. I was once pushed into the guys bathroom by some of those idgets . I was pushed into a hot guy (as he was walking out) , but still... :mad:

Rule #2: Don't EVER make eye contact - keeping Rule #1 in mind, if you make eye contact, the asshole will invariably play a game of "I'm not moving/ I'm better than you/ I was here first" etc. If they make way, they are being polite and considerate as well as going out of their way to not be an asshole. Both of these things they will never do. HOWEVER! If you do NOT make eyecontact, then they will not have this challenging frame of mind in place.

This is called "chicken" among a teens around here (don't know what they call it elsewhere...) If you are walking, and another person is walking the opposite direction, you're supposed to get in their way and see if they'll move. I think it's the stupidest thing ever...

[hobie16]

Rule #5: Stop and let them walk around you.

[disneyaddict]

Rule #5: Stop and let them walk around you.

Wow, hobie, I actually never thought of that one....hmm, and sounds like something I'd do, too. Good thinking! :D:

[felinefan]

If you happen to come up behind a bunch of these sidewalk hogs, get one of those airhorns, the louder the better. Come right up behind them and give 'em a really good blast. :twisted: They'll take off running in all directions--or, worst case scenario, they'll turn around and pummel you to death.

[mechurchlady]

STOP AND LET THEM WALK AROUND YOU

They must go around you or plow into you. If they see you are not moving then they will think you are a tree or trash can and move around you.

MOVE

I was in the airport and it was empy. I am walking straight to the TSA in a straight waddling bee-line when a pack of people came at me at a 45 degree angle. They were doing nothing to veer so I said MOVE and walked right through them as they parted.

My Opinion

If they are walking abreast or in packs you have to stop and make them give way or scream MOVE or FAT LADY WITH A GOUDA COMING THROUGH. This is like screaming at cows and makes them move usually. I am short, disabled, fat, waddle and will not be able to suddenly sidestep them. Nobody makes me move. I do not take guff and the except is maybe disabled kids and blind people.

It is easier for one of me to stand and let 10 of them go around.

[Syndrome]

Syndrome's Sidewalk Bully Plan:

1) Get a water bottle with a pointy neck.

2) Carry bottle at all times when at WDW.

3) When group of SG Sidewalk Bullies approaches, place bottom of bottle against your body with neck sticking out and facing SGs.

4) Keep walking assertively towards them, keeping bottle in prime poke position.

5) Marvel at how quickly they can part to make room for you when their personal safety/comfort is at stake.

I learned this by accident one summer when I was nearly trampled by a herd of Brazillian teens. When I held the bottle in defensive position they parted like the Red Sea. Now I use it for a variety of purposes. Besides sidewalks, it's a great way to teach kids in queue lines who keep bumping into you to respect your personal space. Just hold it against your hip or other appropriate place and watch them punish themselves.

[felinefan]

An umbrella works really well, too, especially if it has a pointy tip. It's either move or get shish-kebabed. Get one of those arrow points, the sharp ones, and paint the end of it red--they should get the point--in more ways than one. :twisted:

[DisneyMom]

Hmmmmm, I see a market for a "Water Bottle Holder/Self-Defense Belt.... ;)
Now, If we could make a belt to hold 4 at a time

[kurtisnelson]

Get one of those arrow points, the sharp ones, and paint the end of it red--they should get the point in the end.

That's better.