To the right or to the left?

bozo1

Diamond Member
May 21, 2001
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So I wonder - here in America, we are conditioned to pass on the right - when driving, when passing someone in a hallway, etc.

So, do people in countries that drive on the left side of the road (UK, Australia, etc.) pass people on the left when they meet in a hallway, sidewalk, etc.??

I've actually been wondering about this for a long time. :)
 

Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
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I thought you were supposed to pass on the left when driving. Like when you're driving in the desert at 80mph there are signs that always say, "Slow traffic keep right" So you would be passing on the left.
 

bacillus

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
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<< I've actually been wondering about this for a long time >>


I'm sure there are better things to think about! :D
 

bozo1

Diamond Member
May 21, 2001
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<< thought you were supposed to pass on the left when driving >>


What I meant is if you are approaching each other head-on.
 

dakata24

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2000
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<< I thought you were supposed to pass on the left when driving. Like when you're driving in the desert at 80mph there are signs that always say, "Slow traffic keep right" So you would be passing on the left. >>



that's what i thought also. i guess they mean oncoming traffic on a two-way street is always to the left..?
 

Koeppster

Senior member
Jul 6, 2001
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In the United Kingdom, people usually walk up and down the left side of stairways, that's what I remember. Which way do ships at sea pass each other? Can't recall....
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
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<< When I'm walking I don't pay any attention to which side I pass people on. >>


So you're one of those people that always makes others do a dance in the hallway! I always go to the right, and if the other person goes to their left, I just stand there until they get the picture.
 

Infos

Diamond Member
Jul 20, 2001
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On a bike path I pass people going the same direction on the left
When I meet someone going the other direction I try to stay to the right

You are just asking for trouble trying to pass someone
(going in the same direction) on the right :p

 

Russ

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
21,093
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<< A gentleman always dresses to the left. >>



Just one more piece of evidence to prove that I'm not a gentlemen. Hey, I'm right handed, so why shouldn't I be right ******?:)

Russ, NCNE

 

Infos

Diamond Member
Jul 20, 2001
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Communication is a wonderful thing :)

especially when it works ;)


EDIT: When I hear pass someone I think same direction.....

apparently a bunch of people are talking about when they encounter
someone going the opposite direction


 

thebestMAX

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
7,519
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Russ-

Right handed, dress left for access. Think about it. ;)

Think many others know what we are talking about?
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
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I walk between classes with about a million other people and I started to notice this recently. I place myself head on into someone walking toward me, space on either side of me for them to pass. *I* can send nonverbal cues by the smallest shifting of weight as to which side they should pass me on. Sometimes the person shifts their weight (imperceptibly, you can barely tell) and it's a simple matter to pinpoint the exact moment they signaled which side I should pass on. Check it out sometime, it's pretty weird. I think it's something we do automatically without even realizing it. There are no left/right conventions when there's 200 people on the path plus bikes. The nonverbal cues is all ya got.