What would you do?

[Exterous]

You are walking down the sidewalk in a city next to a busy street. 6 youths between the ages of 10 and 13 are walking abreast of each other in a line coming towards you. None of them make an effort to share the sidewalk for people walking the other direction. As you are walking in that direction you have a couple options:

1. Step off onto the busy street to pass them
2. Stop and wait for them to walk around you
3. One was wearing a hoodie so shoot him and plant skittles on the body
4. Continue on your original trajectory and assume the Trajectory of Dominance
5. Yell at them to share the sidewalk and to get off your lawn

I chose option 4. I chose a path lining me up with the small gap between two of their shoulders and, when they still refused to make any effort to make room on the sidewalk, shoulder checked both of them, creating a path for myself, my wife and several other people behind us. According to my wife both of them looked shocked and angry as they were spun around. She also tells me that she was surprised I would do that to kids of that age but I maintain that that is what they get for not sharing a sidewalk in a busy city.

So what say you ATOT?

 

[TwiceOver]

Walking and shopping have the same rules as driving. Stay to the right, don't stop unless you have to, pass only when clear on the left.

Just keep walking. But then again I don't live in a major city where youths randomly attack people for no reason. I do believe they would get their asses kicked around these parts and the parents would probably be OK with it.

 

[NoCreativity]

Good for you. People (kids included) need to learn some fucking manners.

Sadly I see this happening more often. Even worse, it happens at work. I have yet to shoulder check someone at work but that time is coming.

 

[soulcougher73]

I would have done what you did. Kids learn best at a young age. So be sure to shoulder check them often until they learn.

 

[Vdubchaos]

What you did is fine and I would've done the same.

 

[Murloc]

it doesn't really happen that often.
If the sidewalk is tight and there's a couple of people coming up, I keep walking but stop if I'm going to hit them because they don't align in an indian file to properly share the sidewalk with opposing traffic, and wait for the wrong-doer to pass me on the side like he should, then I resume walking. This assuming I'm alone and keeping to the right, otherwise I'm the one being irregular so it's my duty to move aside.

Sometimes when I'm walking and someone on the phone in a moving crowd (or even in other situations but usually this) suddendly stops and turns around I just feel like walking on and bumping on them just to prove a point. That's not a kid thing though, it's women who have this bad habit for some reason.

 

[rcpratt]

4 is always the option. Sidewalks are meant for bidirectional travel. Get the fuck out of my way or get walked into.

 

[Krazy4Real]

4 is the right option. I would have done the same.

 

[Broheim]

Trajectory of Dominance! I've always done this and will continue to do it until I can't walk anymore, and even then I'll cut you down with my wheel chair.

 

[SithSolo1]

I chose 4 but in this day and age its risky. They are as likely to draw guns and shoot you down as they are to keep on walking.

 

[Jaskalas]

I chose 4 but in this day and age its risky. They are as likely to draw guns and shoot you down as they are to keep on walking.

Likely to pull out sharp / blunt weapons and go to town on you for another one of their sensational youtube videos. A group that large can be an innocent gathering of friends, or a violent gang. You can't tell until you cross them.

 

[vi edit]

LOL. Trajectory of Dominance. You need to trademark that. Love it!

And yes, that's my vote. Red Rover Red Rover send vi edit on over!

 

[clamum]

Hmmm. I'd say option 4 but in reality I'd probably just go around them.

 

[IronWing]

Accost them and preach to them the Good News. Next time, they'll cross the street or throw themselves under a bus to avoid you.

 

[SlitheryDee]

What you definitely should do is keep your path and make them move out of your way. I probably wouldn't do that though. I never find myself strolling aimlessly down a sidewalk looking for something to do. That is to say I'm always going somewhere, and I'm probably pretty anxious to get there. Doing things that could result in an altercation can only slow me down and add to whatever level of inconvenience I'm experiencing at the time.

Still, I don't understand why they should feel angry about what you did. If they're taking up the whole street and don't move as someone approaches there are going to be collisions.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Trajectory of dominance, perhaps with a verbal warning (not "old man them", but "fat man them", AKA "LOOK OUT THERE IS A BIG FAT MOTHERTRUCKER WHOS GONNA PUNCH A HOLE IN YOUR WALL O LITTLE PEOPLE."

 

[mugs]

Trajectory of dominance. This happens to me all the time at the mall, someone sees something shiny and turns and walks straight toward it. I got tired of dodging people who walk right in front of me, so now I don't change direction for anyone unless they were on that path before I was. Usually they get out of my way, but occasionally I run into someone shoulder to shoulder.

 

[AstroManLuca]

If I was in this situation I would likely be pushing the baby stroller, and when you have a stroller, you constantly assume the Trajectory of Dominance. People fall all over themselves to get out of your way, cars stop to let you cross even not at a crosswalk, and anyone who doesn't move out of the way is vilified by all those around him because he HATES BABIES.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Smiles suggestively, lick your lips, and do something dirty with your hand.

They'll get out of the way.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Walking and shopping have the same rules as driving. Stay to the right, don't stop unless you have to, pass only when clear on the left.

Just keep walking. But then again I don't live in a major city where youths randomly attack people for no reason. I do believe they would get their asses kicked around these parts and the parents would probably be OK with it.

What do you do when a cyclist comes up alongside you and blocks your path?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What do you do when a cyclist comes up alongside you and blocks your path?

While I'm walking, or when I'm driving?

 

[Exterous]

If I was in this situation I would likely be pushing the baby stroller, and when you have a stroller, you constantly assume the Trajectory of Dominance. People fall all over themselves to get out of your way, cars stop to let you cross even not at a crosswalk, and anyone who doesn't move out of the way is vilified by all those around him because he HATES BABIES.

Hmmm....I might just have to buy a stroller to do this...

Smiles suggestively, lick your lips, and do something dirty with your hand.

They'll get out of the way.

At first I thought this was genius but then I realized you'd probably get arrested for pedophilia in the US for doing this

LOL. Trajectory of Dominance. You need to trademark that.

Paperwork submitted

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Oddly enough, being a big guy, this never happens to me. I bumper car bitches every time I am in a theme park though. Because ain't nobody got time for that!

 

[Imp]

Depends on how threatening they look...

If they look like pussies, I move to a side, best I can but not too far to inconvenience me, and make an effort to walk into them with some body part. I've blocked people on the subway who expect me to let go of a bar while it's moving to let them through to the closed doors 3' away too.

If they look like they'll kick my ass, then I bend over backwards!

 

[exdeath]

Keep walking and act like they aren't there.

I have no problem side stepping most times just because I walk with a purpose (4-5mph walking) and naturally try to look ahead and navigate an unobstructed path around "normal people" who aren't intentionally in the way because I know I'm the "special case" that's out of place hauling ass like that.

But I also don't comply with or subjugate myself to pissing contests.

Though most people move. I imagine its disturbing to "normal people" seeing a 200 lb 6'3" guy plowing towards you at 5 mph while looking through you with a 1000 yard stare and look of indifference.

Id do my best to not be an asshole to little kids though. Kids are awesome.

Shoulder checking 10 yr olds, Srsly?