Learn English – Should-I-go-left-or-right confusion when you’re walking past someone- is there an expression for that

word-request

You know the confusion that happens when you're walking down the street, there's someone coming from other direction, you decide to go (your) left they decide to go (their) right, and then you decide to go (your) right then they decide go (their) left and so on? Is there a standard expression that describes that situation? What would a native English speaker say?

Best Answer

The word is 'droitwich'

DROITWICH (n.) The uncomfortable phenomenon when two people meet while walking and attempt to pass only to have both persons go in the same direction, thus each continuing to block the path of the other. The occurrence is usually brief but unsettling enough to cause grievance and annoyance in one or both parties (or however many are involved).

Two other expressions include: "the get-past-you shuffle" and "the pavement tango"


Thanks to Brian Hitchcock for getting me the link (-z7sg Ѫ's excellent answer). I posted this answer so that the users can read and learn. Comments are often ignored/overlooked especially those who are new here.

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