Situation: 2 people talking to each other in a hallway (or aisle at a store), one on either side of the hallway. You are walking down the hallway, and have to walk between them. Should you say "excuse me" or not?

I was always under the impression that since you're interrupting a conversation by walking into it, you should politely say "excuse me" and walk on. But really, saying something causes a greater interruption, so are you really being polite?

 

what reaction propted the post?

 

I would say "excues me" for two reasons:

1. To be polite.
2. So that maybe they'll stop their conversation enough to realize they are taking up the whole walkway and move to one side.

IMO - They are the ones being impolite making you walk between them.

 

No reaction - I just find myself walking between people discussing things quite frequently, and I almost always say excuse me as I go between them.

ltweintz: good point, I never thought of it as them being impolite by standing on opposite sides of the hallway.

 

I usually say "scuse me" only because that's the way I was brought up but when I think about it, why should I? Look at it this way: they don't have to stand looking at each other across the hallway. They could both be up against the same wall and leave enough room for others to get by. They're the ones being inconsiderate not you.
It's just like at the supermarket when 2 people meet each other and stand smack dab in the middle of an isle or intersection and yap their faces off completely oblivious to all who must weave around them. I feel like saying, "go to the coffee shop, jackass!" Or what about the dummy who stops the shopping cart in the middle of an isle to go "browsing". Hard to get around either side. Geez, now you've got me going.

 

i say excuse me, but what i mean is get the frik out of my way and stop blocking the hall! but i know if i were in their shoes I wouldn't give a rats rear end if someone was pissed at me for doing that.

 

DING DING DING!! ltweintz has the correct answer...!

This is an annoyance to me...when people are walking 2 or 3 wide, talking and coming towards me and I am forced to get out their way. Often times, I'll say "Excuse you."

I treat hallways like highways. There is a middle dividing line that traffic should flow in the same manner as a highway. And when people are walking in the wrong side of the "highway", I think THEY are at fault. They are the ones who are supposed to "excuse me" or just get the hell out of the way...!

OK, so I'm a prick...sue me!

 

Greg-

I like your attitude.

 

I think all us pricks should unite, get together and become hall monitors.

 

I think whenever you interrupt a conversation, or cross someone's view (i.e. some dude checking out what kind of floss he needs for 45 minutes), I think it's a good gesture to say "excuse me". Even if they are blocking the aisle, it can help to be polite every now and then.