So, it’s time for a common sense public safety announcement: be courteous to people who are walking around you. Especially in small crowded spaces like Sinclair’s campus.
Campus isn’t that big, and the hallways can be tight and narrow. Do you know what makes them even more claustrophobic?
People walking at a snail’s pace right in the middle of the damn hallway! Or someone meeting a long lost friend and coming to a dead stop to chat. How about those people that walk past a corner and hug the left side, so anyone crossing almost has a head on collision with them?
There have been so many awkward moments in my time where I’ve bumped into or almost ran into somebody who did these things, and they looked at me like I was at fault.
It’s annoying, and since the semester has just started it is a great time for a refresher course for everyone.
Walking through the many hallways and corridors of Sinclair is like driving a car. Stay to your right so that the middle is freed up if someone wants to pass you. Everyone walks at a different pace depending on how late to class they are.
Also, if you’re crossing into a new hallway, take wide turns. Don’t hug the corner and veer off to the left. That’s how near collisions happen.
Another tip is to be mindful of where you are when you see someone you know and want to talk to them about the weather, the big game or whatever people talk about.
It’s great that campus is small enough where you can make quite a few friends in small spaces, but for the love of God, migrate to the wall or sit in a class or something. Don’t be the cause of a six-student traffic jam.
While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about elevators. The miracle shafts that save us from traversing three flights of stairs are good, but can cause problems as well.
Proper elevator etiquette is important. If you’re in the elevator and getting off, don’t sit in the back and dilly dally when it opens. Treat it like Nascar and get out of there so others can get on.
Conversely, if you’re waiting for the ‘vater, don’t stand right in front of it. More often than not someone will be in it and if they’re doing the right thing they’ll be getting out of it at the speed of light. Standing right in front of it puts you in danger of being ran over or shot the dreaded evil eye.
Following those two rules gets people on and off the elevator very quickly and avoids awkward situations.
Keeping these campus courtesies in mind will help you on your walk to classes and in the real world. Walking through stores and restaurants will be less of a pain if you apply these rules to those places, so that you aren’t an inconvenience to those around you.
Henry Wolski
Executive Editor