Sidewalk Dynamics

I still have yet to figure them out. I thought, at first, that maybe there was some kind of Han dynasty-ish hierarchy of deference that decided who had the right of way, but after two months of careful observation and being pushed onto the street by men, women, and children alike, I still haven't noticed any consistent pattern of behavior. With the occasional exception made for the very very, cane-walkingly elderly, the sidewalk social order seems to be as anarchic and self-interested as the state of nature, itself.

And I am determined to survive my way to the top.

So far I have noted several effective strategies for keeping to one's path:
1. Wear heels. The noise they make on the pavement alerts those up ahead that someone is approaching so that they can get out of the way well in advance. They also make a girl look FIERCE and intimidate her challengers into stepping off.
2. Be as oblivious as possible. Those who are paying attention will anticipate your inaction and make the first move.
3. Focus on a distant point. Those who approach you head-on will feel invisible and move out of the way for fear of being trampled.

Then there's this sidewalk, which is whole different story: