Rules for Walking

12 Jul, 2024

⏲ 4-minute read | last updated 3 months, 1 week ago

For the past ~12,000 years, humans have been making progress through unspoken consensus of societal norms. When they're broken, we take a step closer to chaos.

Let's all agree to a little less chaos (at least when walking). Here's how¹.

1. Follow Car Traffic Rules (Mostly) - pass on the left, yield at intersections, don't stop in the middle of the road. You know, common sense stuff².
2. Know The Venue - The rules change based on where you are. Grocery store? Leave room in the aisle. Walking and biking path? Keep to the side for walkers. Busy sports arena with directional walking flow? Go with the flow. Different cultures have different walking preferences too. Know where you are, observe, and be respectful of the local custom for your venue.
3. Look Where You're Going - Unlike a car, humans can use their feet to move any direction, at any time - and sometimes they do! This means you need to be on your toes. Keep your head up, pay attention, and please don't stare at your phone while walking³.
4. Consider Personal Space - Mindfulness of personal space is perhaps society's most important unwritten rule. It signals respect. Breaches of this touches on something primal within us. Remember, the less crowded it is the more space people need (and deserve).
5. Walk With Your Head Held High - At the end of your walk, make sure your can hold your head up high. This means waving, saying thanks when appropriate, holding doors, and just generally being courteous/unselfish. Plus, holding your head up high is a pro-tip too (good posture is attractive).
6. Give Us Something to Watch & Check People Out - When you step out into the world, you're representing yourself - so remember that presentation is everything! Be confident. Know that others also spend time getting ready, so feel free to give them a little attention/compliment (but don't be a creep about it).
7. Be Predictable - Signal your intentions. If you're heading directly for someone, a good trick to decide what side you're going to walk on is to look to the side that you're planning on walking (look over their right shoulder to pass on their right). It makes it easier for others to know what to do and plan ahead of time!
8. Yield - If you're entering a heavier flow of foot traffic, it's generally your job to yield. Also, if the walkable area is narrow and there is someone going faster than you, let them pass.
9. Your Mouth Is Your Blinker - If it isn't immediately obvious what you plan to do (or what you want someone else to do), say something! It courteous to give folks a heads up that your coming up behind them ("on your left") or that you would like to pass ("excuse us/behind you").
10. Cross The Street Correctly - If you're going to cross the road try to do it at a crosswalk. If you can't or decide not to and there are cars around, show some hustle! It signals appreciation to the driver who stopped. This goes with #5 above⁴, but is worth a separate rule.
11. Watch Your Group & Your Children - If you're in a large group, pay attention to spreading across the walkway and redirect people as appropriate. Watch your unpredictable children and find a balance between freedom and restriction depending on the circumstances.
12. The Heavier The Traffic, The More Important The Rules - People are pretty forgiving; but, the more crowded it is, the less forgiving people are.

Cherish your ability to walk. It's one of the biggest milestones as a child and a tragic loss as we age. Ultimately walking is a gift. Relish the freedom it affords; grant others the same; and with each step, allow yourself to be grounded in the shared connection of such a remarkable human feat⁵.

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