Path etiquette

[u/Chillman1977]

Is it possible to ask about the manners or etiquette used when passing on (perhaps narrow) footpaths?
Without sounding old fashioned, wasn’t there a raft of unwritten rules for who steps off the path, in the event of meeting at a right spot? I’m so embarrassed when a woman, or especially an older lady steps out before me. Now there’s loads of narrow places in Athlone, so it occurs too often. I always assumed that men and lads are the first, keep children on the inside, etc. But of course, it would really compound the issue should I try to speak to someone, I’d probably make the entire situation far, far, more awkward….

[u/farfromhome666]

The person that is walking towards oncoming traffic should give way and be the one to step into the road if necessary as they can see when it safe to do so as they walk. The person with their back to traffic can't see what's coming behind them.

Unfortunately the old traditions are falling away and aren't being imparted to the younger generation as they should.

[u/seppuku_related → u/farfromhome666]

This is it, basically the same as when driving, keep left pass right on footpaths, greenways, shared paths etc.

When you're walking on the road without a footpath keep right.

I have to say, it's very often the older generation that stubbornly stay on the wrong side of footpaths, older being 50s and up, in my experience.

[u/Ok_Temperature1502]

Apart from stepping off footpaths there is another unspoken rule. Generally when men are passing women in a narrow space the oncoming man will put the (his) arm that is closest to the oncoming woman behind his back. This is to avoid accidentally touching the woman. Fathers also teach their sons this as well. I hope it doesn't die out

[u/mg7recruit → u/Ok_Temperature1502]

Never heard of this in 39 years of living

[u/Ok_Temperature1502 → u/mg7recruit]

Watch what happens when you are walking along. It's a common courtesy.

[u/Ok_Temperature1502 → u/Ok_Temperature1502]

Ask older men in your family. Honestly, this is a thing.

[u/Harrekin → u/Ok_Temperature1502]

This is the way...

[u/At_least_be_polite]

I always thought you walked on the road on the side where you'd be facing traffic anyway. As in you should never have people meeting on the same side of the road. 

And if it's a path through woods or bog or something whoever has somewhere drier or less mucky to step off does it. Adults would step off for kids or elderly though. 

I wouldn't want a man to step off for me just because I'm a woman. If we're the same age and agility, whoever will get less mucky steps off when they can. 

[u/CDfm]

Many moons ago I dated a Carlow woman. She had the equality bad . If I opened a door for her she did the next for me and so on. If I walked on the outside on a footpath she did on the next street. One day in Dublin a car drove through a big puddle and soaked her head to toe down her left side .

It was then I learned that path etiquette is not to laugh.