What is up with sidewalk etiquette in Vancouver?

posted March 24th, 2017 at 8:18 PM

Call me delusional, but I've really had it with the negligent sidewalk attitude in this city. I worked as an English teacher abroad for years and have lived in numerous cities and towns around the world. And since moving to Vancouver, I still can't figure this out: what's a person gotta do to get a little room on the sidewalk in this town? It seems that 80% of the people simply assume that the rest of us peasants will move out of the way for them. Perhaps it's my overly gracious Midwestern sensitivity that's simply turning me into a sidewalk pushover, and I need to start standing up for myself. Literally. What's up with the sidewalk hogs in this city?

24 Comments

Situational awareness....

Mar 24, 2017 at 10:52pm

...is near zero.

Me?

Mar 24, 2017 at 11:10pm

I am 6'4 and 250. I will graciously stay to one side but I am done walking in the gutter or on the grass. Hold your position walking three abreast and expect my shoulder on your chin. People in this city are idiots about sidewalk etiquette. And don't even get me started about people with umbrellas who stay under the awnings and force the umbrella-less into the rain.

Anonymous

Mar 25, 2017 at 3:40am

Slam into the next person who tries this on with you.

Afterward, it's almost certain that your demeanor will change to the point where these clowns will take notice and leave you alone, accordingly.

They don't call it the asphalt jungle for nothing.

Mitch

Mar 25, 2017 at 10:30am

Not sure it's just a Vancouver thing but yeah some people deserve a good stiff shoulder.

head down

Mar 25, 2017 at 11:47am

most people have there head down looking at there stupid phones, I shoulder check these morons into the " boards", defend your personal space!!

I've posted about this before

Mar 25, 2017 at 1:17pm

There is no sidewalk etiquette in this city. People are assholes and don't move. I am also a sidewalk pushover and it's infuriating at times. People in general are horrible and rude. I am from here and this is not the city I remember growing up in.

NS

Mar 25, 2017 at 2:12pm

Totally!! Agree!!

Vain town

Mar 25, 2017 at 2:22pm

A very large percentage of Vancouverites are self-absorbed entitled divas, men and women, a result of their coddled upbringing. and vancouvers culture.
they'll run you off the side walk if they can. this type of thing happens in every aspect of Vancouver living.

pssst

Mar 25, 2017 at 2:33pm

living in asia should have helped you with this. if they are frail and elderly you move out of their way. if they aren't and clearly entitled/faces deep in phones/etc you do the last second look-away and square your shoulder.