You know when you're walking through a large crowd and end up in step with someone else, then have to do that all-too-familiar back-and-forth dance until someone breaks free and you go around each other? Wired wants to help you avoid this.


Over at their How-To Wiki, tech culture site Wired offers a few quick tips for walking through crowds without getting caught in that dance or running into people. Some of the tips may sound obvious (e.g., "watch where you walk"), but it's also full of good reason. For example:

To get on autopilot, pedestrian-style, look down at the feet of the people around you. The head and torso are lagging indicators and often give you bad information with regards to the speed and direction people are traveling. All that information is in the feet. Don't look directly forward. Your gaze is generally perpendicular to your body, usually 90 degrees. Reduce that angle, making it tighter as your space becomes more crowded.

Be aware of how crowded your "personal zone" is — use a 6-foot radius as a rule of thumb. Less than six people isn't too crowded, so move as you would normally, but watch people's feet as they enter your zone.

Evade, don't invade. Change direction often to slip behind people rather than rushing to cut them off.


Hit up the full post over at Wired for more suggestions. Got your own tried-and-true tips for making it through a crowded space? Tell us about them in the comments. Photo by Mr. T in DC.

Walk Through Crowds [Wired]