Each of us has been in a situation where a passerby in a crowd, not noticing anything around, almost bumped into you. When you are face to face, you simultaneously take a step to the right, a step to the left, and a step to the right again — as if you are a mirror image of each other. This is especially annoying when you are in a hurry.
There are several ways to avoid such situations.
The brain is an amazing tool that is able to track the trajectories of the objects around us and process a huge number of signals. Trust your eyes, and your body will act as an autopilot.
Every driver has at least once experienced a strange sensation when his legs and arms seemed to forget what they needed to do as soon as his eyes left the road. Exactly the same principle works with walking, only it is much safer. If you don't want to go off course, keep your eyes on the road all the time.
To turn on your "pedestrian autopilot", you have to look at the feet of the people around you. Don't look straight ahead. Your gaze is usually perpendicular to your body (usually 90 degrees). If you get into a crowd and want to avoid collisions, reduce this angle.
If there are less than six people in your personal radius (1.5–2 meters), you can move freely, but do not forget to watch their feet. If six or more people got into your personal radius, this is already a crowd. And your gaze should view the entire area.
If there are 10 or more people around, you should look forward 1-2 steps. Try to carefully avoid oncoming passers-by, and not to cross them.
Instinctively, we are used to looking in the direction in which we are moving, so at first it may be uncomfortable when walking to look not forward, but down. But if you do everything right, you can literally slip through the crowd without ever bumping into pedestrians. Be careful and follow the recommendations, then you will not get injured.
Always move as if you have a goal. Your path in the crowd should always look like a traffic pattern from point A to point B.
You can also use the tactics of "shark fins". It should be used when moving through a standing crowd. For example, if you need to get from one end of the hall to the other during a concert. Use simple directional signals for this. Fold your fingers so that your palm resembles a fin. While moving, use this hand to show others exactly where you are going to move.
Also, such a gesture will help to gently push away drinks in the hands of people around you and avoid scandals. Touch the shoulder or shoulder blade of a person who is standing with his back and does not see that you need to pass. People avoid such touches and automatically give way.
If the crowd prevents you from doing business or enjoying your vacation, you should choose another time or prepare in advance.
When moving through a crowded underpass or a passage between metro stations, you can use a tightly rolled-up magazine. Just hold it firmly in your hand and sometimes swing this very hand when walking. Other people, seeing this weighty bundle, will automatically avoid you, then the road ahead will become more spacious.
There are times when you need to go through the crowd very quickly. Here your shoulder can come to your aid.
There may be people in front of you who don't like the way you maneuver between them, trying to get ahead everywhere. They will in every way hinder your attempts to overtake them.
Once next to such a person, turn your body so that your shoulder is slightly in front. Don't just turn the body, but feel the force and mass that will clear the way for you. Your body will send a non-verbal signal that you will move forward regardless of obstacles.
Most likely, it will scare away dissatisfied passers-by. They will move away, and you will be able to pass. If someone still does not want to give way, your shoulder will just push it aside a little.
The above tactics will help you get through any crowd in shops, concerts and squares. But sometimes there are cases when it is necessary to use alternative options. This applies to onlookers who are looking at local attractions and, most likely, will not pay attention to all your warning signs.
In this case, you'd better literally drill through the top of their head with your eyes. People have an innate ability to feel someone else's gaze on them. And in this case, your gaze should work as a trigger that will make them feel that you are looking at them and turn around. Realizing that you are watching them, people will instinctively step aside.
