Before you hit the sidewalk today, a few calm words: You’ve been walking badly on the sidewalks.
A ridiculous idea? Well, according to etiquette guru William Hanson’s book, Just Good Manners, you’ve been walking in the wrong group formations, failing to yield, and, what’s more, failing to operate crosswalks properly.
Scandalous.
But don’t fear, because William, a true Merlin of manners, has all the necessary guidance so that the next time you walk down a sidewalk you won’t look ridiculous.
THERE ARE NO PARTIES IN LA PAVE
Don’t treat the great British sidewalk like your own personal party space.
William says: “When in public, on the sidewalk or anywhere else, the British do not like loud and disruptive displays of bacchanal (revelry). The sidewalk is a public, shared space, and anything that makes others assume you’re not playing a game of consideration for those around you will irritate them.’
GROUP FORMATIONS
William Hanson has revealed how to walk correctly on the sidewalk in his new book, Just Good Manners.
William, above, says: “When in public, on the sidewalk or anywhere else, the British don’t like loud, disruptive bacchanalian displays.”
Avoid blocking sidewalks with overly large group formations, advises the Duke of Decorum.
Write: ‘When in large groups, do not walk in a horizontal line, blocking the path of others. Instead, break up into smaller groups of two or three if the sidewalk is wide and keep walking.
“If there are a lot of other people heading straight for you and the sidewalk is too narrow to fit everyone, it is good manners to stop and let the other people pass.”
ALWAYS GIVE IN
Always assume that those coming in the opposite direction are more important than you, emphasizes the emperor of etiquette.
He explains: ‘Automatically assuming that (those coming the other way) are more important than you is healthy and a good way to lead an educated life. Hopefully, they’ll stop for you too, which will make both polite parties chuckle about how courteous everyone has been and how you’ve been successful as humans.’
William’s new book, Just Good Manners (Penguin Random House), is now available
WEAVING
Walk in a straight line, William says, “instead of slaloming, getting in everyone’s way.”
PRESS THE BUTTON!
William includes in his tome a “note to visitors to Britain,” which is as follows: “When you are at a pedestrian crossing, you will be standing there for a long time if you have not pressed the button to cross.”
WALK OUTSIDE
“If you know the person you’re with will like your so-called protection, stand on the outside of the sidewalk,” says William, who explains that this rule dates back to a time when knights were expected to protect others. the women from the splashes of the passing stagecoaches. .
He adds: “With a change in gender norms and expectations, this rule can be used sparingly and depends on each company.”
For more information about Mr. Hanson, visit his tiktok and instagram profiles.
Just Good Manners: A Quintessential Guide to Courtesy, Charm, Grace, and Decorum (Random Penguin House), is now available. It is advertised as “a witty and authoritative guide to British etiquette.”