How to avoid bumping into people?

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So I'm walking in my own direct on sidewalk or through a hallway and I notice some one else walking in the opposite direction. We notice each other I politely move aside to let them go and they do the same, and where still in front of each other. Whats the trick of moving around people without the awkwardness?

I would say none, or just seeing the person before they see you and then move.
The world is filled with people, and you cant really avoid, NOT bumbing into someone, unless you never leave your house or live in a place with barely any people living there : /

Well i never see anyone bumping into each other when they've been able to see each other approach from even just a couple of steps, it's only when turning corners, doorways or turning/stopping suddenly that I've seen bumping in the general population.

Having difficulty reading non verbals means it will be easier to telegraph your intentions than try and figure out theirs. Make it really obvious which side you'll step to using your shoulders and direction of gaze, preferably do this before you're close enough to bump.

I have two techniques.

First, don't look at the other person - just keep walking. If you look at them (even if you're not making eye contact), they apparently think you will move the correct direction to avoid bumping into them. If you're not looking at them, they will move to avoid you.

Second (this is fun) - walk directly at them. They will naturally move out of your way.

Sometimes the awkwardness results in a good laugh for both people involved!

I just thought of a third technique that I use fairly frequently - stop where you are & let the other person move around you. I do this the second I realize we are in the "dance" of both moving the same way to get around each other.

usually what I do is scan ahead to make sure I don't wind up in somebody's path.

I think the trick is to not be afraid of the awkwardness. Like Stinkypuppy said, sometimes it results in a laugh.

Little awkward things happen between people all the time, and if you watch, you might see that people sometimes deal with it in a playful way. If you worry about it, it becomes this big, scary thing, but really it's just life.

That's usually my strategy, but I want to prevent the awkwardness in the first place



Prolly a good idea, I need to look ahead and work on my ability to anticipate where people are moving.

No real way to avoid bumping into people at some point. I hate it.

there are several suggestions in the thread dude give them a go, you get your whole life to practice them,

Well, far from being playful, I found that people often dealt it in an abusive way.

People could get abusive about it, for example it wasn't uncommon for people to say "f**k's sake".

Taking into account suggestions from posts about this topic in the past, things have vastly, vastly improved.

If both think like that, then they will bump into each other lol.

Zeichner wrote:

" If you look at them (even if you're not making eye contact), they apparently think you will move the correct direction to avoid bumping into them. If you're not looking at them, they will move to avoid you."

Thanks! This was like a revelation!

I don't know if this answered the OP's question, but for me, it explains a lot! specifically, why I tend to do the "I'll move over" dance with people I know, but never find myself doing it on a crowded sidewalk.

I avoid eye contact with strangers like it's some kind of disease vector -- because if you make eye contact in Louisville, KY, the likelihood that they'll talk to you is sky high, and I have no idea what to do when strangers talk to me (outside of very limited contexts, like ordering food, for which I have developed 'applications,' so to speak).

At work, and with people I know, I try to at least pretend to make eye contact in order to be polite and friendly, and this happens to me all the time. From now on, I'll try just moving over without making eye contact.

I absolutely HATE that situation! I never ever laugh I get pissed off emediately but the other person use to laugh and that piss me off even more! I cant understand whats so funny about it

I always avoid all I can to bump into someone as its very stressful to me if I do. I use to be very straight and determined on my path, dont show any hesitation. I never look into someones eyes, I try to appear busy and always look in another direction if meeting someone
What I also hate is when its narrow and I give way for another person is to hear a "thank you" in return. Stupid person think I do them a favour while I only try to save my own ass from beeing bumped into the persons body
*I hate beeing touched by a stranger*

s**t, I still haven't figured this one out.
I think everyone everywhere will always have this problem.
Just pick a side and stick with it. Force the other person to move.
Or alternatively, look for a route around the person as you approach.