Street Waltz!

Have you ever had a Street Waltz?  That awkward encounter where you were walking down one way on the street and another person was approaching in the opposite direction and as you both come closer, in order to make way for the person, you take a step to your right and they also take a step to their left at that same moment.

At this point you’re both standing in each other’s way.

You then take a step to your left and coincidentally at that same time, they take a step to their right.

Then you both do like 4 reps of this. Hahahaaa!

What do you call this occurrence or phenomenon? I call it Street Waltz.

It has happened countless times to me. I also witnessed a funny example of this.

Once, I was walking down the street with a friend of mine and this happened to her, and not just with a person but with a person on a bicycle!

She stepped to her left to avoid the bicycle and at the same time he steered his bicycle to his right.

She stepped to her right and he coincidentally steered to his left, all the while approaching with considerable speed!

By the time their reps ended, the front wheel of the bicycle was right infront of her feet and she was holding the handle bars of the bicycle in order to stop it. Hahahaaa!

It makes me laugh so much whenever I remember it!

I actually searched online to see if there’s a distinct name for the phenomenon and I couldn’t find any, that’s why I coined it Street Waltz.

Here are some tips to save the day when you find yourself in a street waltz situation:

A Simple Gesture, a Big Difference: Sometimes, a small action can resolve the situation. A smile, a nod, or a quick “excuse me” can signal your intention to move in one direction, encouraging the other person to follow suit.

Utilize the Space: If there’s enough room, consider stepping aside momentarily to let the other person pass. This can be especially helpful on narrow sidewalks or in crowded areas.

Embrace Patience: Occasionally, a brief pause is all it takes. Make eye contact with the other person and wait a beat. Often, they’ll recognize the situation and adjust their course accordingly.

Humor Can Help: A lighthearted quip like “Sidestep competition?” or “Shall we try this again?” can ease any tension and make the situation more lighthearted.

Remember, a little courtesy goes a long way. By employing these strategies, you can navigate these minor pedestrian roadblocks with grace and keep the flow of foot traffic moving smoothly. After all, a little cooperation makes the sidewalk a more pleasant place for everyone.

So, have you had any street waltz encounter?

Please share in the comment section so that we’ll have a laugh.