Since we've been here there is always a hustle and bustle on the sidewalks. I have noticed huge groups of people obnoxiously standing in the right positions so it's nearly impossible to squeeze through. When you say "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" people look at you as though you've just cussed them out. If you don't say anything, they still look at you as though you've somehow insulted them. I've started going with the trend and also reply with a smirk... I'll admit that's probably not the best idea.
I ran into another situation today on the sidewalk while holding my umbrella. My first question is who goes up and who goes down? I'm surprised I didn't take anyone's eye out today. However, while walking on the right side, which I would assume is the correct side, people a) would walk straight for me trying to play chicken or b) would stumble in a random path till they have gotten around me. I suppose I should too be lucky I didn't lose one or both eyes in my trip to pizza hut --which on a side note cost $20 for a personal pan pizza, salad, and diet coke, AGH!!
I'm embarrassed to say I do not know what is proper sidewalk etiquette here.
So I'm wondering is it not appropriate to say excuse me and/or walk on the right hand side of the sidewalk? Are they confused since they drive on the wrong side of the road?
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6 comments:
My Grady at Oxford students, 2004 & 2005 found that sidewalk etiquette (spelling??!) is to more orless ignore everyone, definitely don't say "excuse me" or any other polite phrase, don't be surprised to be bumped into all the time and just keep walking. Wish I were there to walk with you; Oxford's brilliant (do they still say "brilliant" all the time?).
Regards from a Grady prof, e
I've been hit many times myself... I guess you just can't get mad because over half the time it seems to me like they're all tourists (I may be wrong) that don't quite know where they're going. It was much worse today with the umbrella situation. My tiny umbrella seemed to impede in everyones space even though they had giant umbrellas themselves! I know it's true that people drive more angrily/haphazardly in inclement weather; I guess you could say the same for pedestrians who don't want to get wet!
I always figured the tallest person was obligated to raise the umbrella and the shorter person lower the umbrella.
My teaching year (06) it was sunny, hot, hit 90 degrees with no AC and rarely rained, so it wasn't much of an issue. Plus I just wore a slicker with hood on rainy days.
Being polite can backfire. As I mentioned somewhere else, saying "yes sir" and the like strikes many over there as a bit smart aleck.
Oh, and HI Elle! She started the whole Grady version at Oxford and knows of what she speaks.
Enjoy yourself, everyone. Drink a pint for those of us left behind.
Oxford is a busy little town. I ventured out yesterday around 5 to run some errands and the "people traffic" was bumper to bumper. I feel like I am playing chicken when people are walking towards me. I think 5 must be when everyone gets off work.
I don't think that we should ever have to avoid using our good southern manners simply because people here lack them. I was raised to say "excuse me", "yes ma'am", and "yes sir" and I am not willing to stop. If they are offended by any of these manners I use, then I suppose we are even for all the times they have pushed me off the sidewalk. I love it in Oxford, but these people need to learn some good southern manners!
I understand that we are in a different country and not everyone is going to have the same manners and etiquette that we have back home. However, like Hannah, I can't just "turn off" my manners while I'm here. Southern hospitality is definitely one of the things I miss the most.
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