Sidewalk etiquette

TheProdigalModern · 02-04-2005, 08:37 PM

I was thinking that someone should write a basic sidewalk etiquette for the college university scene. These are reactions and meanings of said reactions of two individuals passing on the sidewalk. Keep in mind that this list is not final or authoritative. Feel free to add.

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Stare past/around/at feet: I do not know you, and do not want to appear creepy. Alternate: I know you, but you have hurt my feelings in the past. Alternate: I know you, but we've done something that would make us feel awkward (e.g. make out). Alternate: I know you too vaguely to make eye contact.

Eye contact: I recognize you.

Upward jerk of chin: I took a class with you, or have met you once in some other capacity, but that's as far as our connection goes.

Downward nod of the head: We are on speaking terms, but I don't have time to stop and speak with you right now.

One wave of hand, waist level: Same as downward nod. Alternate: Same as double wave of hand, chest level on a busy day.

Double wave of hand, chest level: You're a friend of a friend who I enjoy hanging out with in a group of friends.

More than two waves, chest level: Notice me! I know you well or I at least want to know you well. Alternate: I'm socially retarded.

Verbal exchange, short: I feel the need to be polite with you. No need to offend you by ignoring. Alternate: We've met in the last couple of days, but during that time we've hung out for at least a moderate length of time. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes; I would like to ask you on a date but don't know you well enough yet to do so. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes; I think that I'd like to be your friend.

Verbal exchange, long: You are my friend. Alternate: You've pissed me off. Alternate: We're reconciling. Alternate: We're in a class group together, and we need to coordinate something.

Hug: meaningless; ambiguous; females use it in any and all contexts.

Kiss, short: We're dating or will soon be. Alternate: We're close friends with a lot of history behind us.

Kiss, long (with or without tongue): We're dating or will soon be. Alternate: We're close friends with a lot of history behind us. A lot. Alternate: We're more or less acting out our immature fantasy of what college should be, full of meaningless making out.

ApparentlyNothing · 02-04-2005, 08:54 PM

Haha, I like the "hug" one and the "kiss, long" one. The hug because it's true, and the kiss just cause it's funny.

I tend to do the finger point with a lot of my guy friends. Like, "Hey you, I know you." But a lot of times, it doesn't go further than that.

Nate · 02-05-2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vershal

Kiss, short: We're dating or will soon be. Alternate: We're close friends with a lot of history behind us.

Kiss, long (with or without tongue): We're dating or will soon be. Alternate: We're close friends with a lot of history behind us. A lot. Alternate: We're more or less acting out our immature fantasy of what college should be, full of meaningless making out.

With the abundance of Latin American students on my campus, a kiss usually means "Hey, we're Latin American students." You don't see much other kissing on campus, unless it's between gay people.

**adamwagg** · 02-05-2005, 02:22 AM

These are brilliant.

The upward nod is very true, also i like the stare past for people you vaguely know, but not really and arent sure if they know you.

Theres nothing worse thatn nodding at someone who gives you a look like "who are you you freak"

Of course a nod could just be polite so its generally safe.

On reflection i only really nod at other guys, id think its rude to nod at a lady (i dont know why i do but hey), For girls i smile or say hi.

ThanksALatte · 02-05-2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vershal

Hug: meaningless; ambiguous; females use it in any and all contexts.

Hey now... I'm a female and I don't do that. If I hug someone, it's for a darn good reason. But yeah, lots of those fakey ones going on... but jsut so you're aware...

Can ya translate this one?
Three in a horizontal line walking really slowly blocking the sidewalk when it's apparent that everyone behind you is in a hurry.

His
Latte

Nate · 02-05-2005, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThanksALatte

Can ya translate this one?
Three in a horizontal line walking really slowly blocking the sidewalk when it's apparent that everyone behind you is in a hurry.

It means "Class? What's that? We're just general studies majors."

In His love,
Nate

SamR · 02-05-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamwagg

On reflection i only really nod at other guys, id think its rude to nod at a lady (i dont know why i do but hey), For girls i smile or say hi.

I've found girls to not understand why guys nod at each other and think it to be dumb. Therefore I don't nod at girls either, just say hi or something else.

lopar · 02-05-2005, 01:43 PM

Unfortunately, being a recovering shy, I still haven't figured out the whole sidewalk thiing... I used to think i was the master of eye dodges, but now that i see other people do them occasionally, it's obvious that they look dumb no matter how you do them (though once or twice I've seen some master dodges that almost brought tears to my eyes

)

anybody else a dodger who is trying to quit?

i think the biggest issue i have is when you can start looking at them... like, it seems really weird to be looking at their face from the minute they start coming towards you, and there's this pocket, this one moment in time, where you have your make or break contact moment..

i think i think about this too much

KATSRUS5 · 02-06-2005, 02:32 PM

you missed the adsent minded stare straight head - meaning I'm off in another world and am not paying attention to anything else except what is inside of my head

(this is me *nods*)

**adamwagg** · 02-09-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KATSRUS5

you missed the adsent minded stare straight head - meaning I'm off in another world and am not paying attention to anything else except what is inside of my head

(this is me *nods*)

I sometimes pretend this to avoid eye contact with people i dont really know and dont really want to half say an awkward hi to.

OneHope · 02-10-2005, 11:43 AM

What about the hand shake. I think that the length of the hand shake is an indication of how good friends you are with someone.

Also, I think that list works for guys but completely falls apart when dealing with women.

Strat_dude · 02-11-2005, 11:12 PM

I don't really understand any of that list. At A&M, you either smile and say Howdy or you're a jerk

Quote:

Verbal exchange, short: I feel the need to be polite with you. No need to offend you by ignoring. Alternate: We've met in the last couple of days, but during that time we've hung out for at least a moderate length of time. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes; I would like to ask you on a date but don't know you well enough yet to do so. Alternate: We're in a class together, and I'm making small talk as we walk to different classes; I think that I'd like to be your friend.

For me, a short verbal exchange means "Last time we met, I didn't care enough to remember your name, but you might realize that if I just smile and keep walking, so I'm just going to make conversation about really general topics such as 'How were tests this week?' until you're convinced I'm a friendly guy."

Dr. Worm · 02-11-2005, 11:26 PM

I look people in the eye and give a polite smile and subtle nod. I feel happy when people smile back at me. I feel hurt when people purposely avoid eye contact. I don't really care much when people are off in their own little world and don't notice me, though I would have appreciated a smile.

Oh, and sometimes I'll make out with them. You know, just because its college and thats what I feel like I should be doing.

marvinranch · 02-12-2005, 10:26 AM

Well, maybe I'm odd but all the head nod stuff works great with me (being a girl and all) I understand it perfectly. But I also learned it working at Wal*Mart from MANY different people of various ages, sexes, contexts, etc.

Occasionally I am guilty of being so lost in my own world that I don't notice people who are obviously waving or talking to me

los angeles · 02-17-2005, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lopar

anybody else a dodger who is trying to quit?

Me! I am shy to the point of being socially disabled.
In high school I never talked to anybody! Even now I find myself avoiding eye contact way to often. Though I am getting better at saying hi to people I know. (Ain't that terrible?)