Which side of the pavement--?

Which side of the pavement/sidewalk are we supposed to walk on?

I try to keep to the left as on the roads, but get in a number jam-ups that way and occasionally some nasty looks -- should I be walking on the right side of the pavement/sidewalk?

You walk wherever there isn't already somebody there! 

ahhh.....the endless question! 

It seems whatever side i am on is wrong! 

Yup, this question occasionally pops in my mind, too. One should think as the traffic is on the left side, the same would go for the pavements, stairways ect. But hey, isn't it weird, everybody seems to be naturally drawn to the right side? Even the signs at the tube escalators tell you to stand on the right and ppl. overtake you on the left! I've therefore concluded that left-hand traffic can't be something that comes natural to one but then I'm no behavioral specialist  

err ... to get back to the actual question ... best is to go with the flow ... lol  

t.

Does it make a difference?

I also wondered about this question since whichever side I seem to choose is wrong! According to my husband the only rule is if you are passing a person with a stroller or an elderly person you always pass so they are on the "inside" of the pavement---so if a car runs someone over it will be you!

Helena

You should usually walk on the left on the pavement.  That way, it's safer with the person nearest the road traffic facing the oncoming vehicles.  As stated by previous posters, if you're fit, healthy and have good sight you should pass people who don't share your good fortune on this on the outside (traffic side).  In one way street, the person walking against the direction of the street should walk on the outside.

[Note - I was trying to make this reply seem a little more humerous that it reads ... please do read it with a pinch of salt, as my humour seems to be so dry as to be invisible today  ]

What about escalators?     Is it the same as sidewalk etiquette?

You stand to the right, and those who want to walk up it walk on the left.

You should generally stay on the left, but where there's steps and the bar is on the right (especially going down), then folks tend to travel on the right had side. Given that most of the population is right-handed, it does seem more "natural" to move on the right.

The signs in the Tube state to stay to the right and let those who want to walk up the escalator pass on the left.

Yeah, but I was thinking of the times when you're going down stairs and there's not a bar on the left. Because folks want support and most are right-handed, then the rules spontaneously change.

I noticed this, too, and find it confusing.

Does it make a difference?

Yes, it does if you are walking in a congested area. It definitely matters in New York City; I assume it would matter in London or in another large city.

Honestly in London I walk wherever I can...no one else seems to be following any rules!  I try to walk to the left on sidewalks, but sometimes have to move right - so I just go with the flow. 

I live in the country, so we don't have pavements. However, on country lanes, you walk on the opposite side from the traffic -- i.e., the right. That way, you're always facing oncoming traffic on your side and won't get unpleasantly surprised. Same rule applies in the U.S., except obviously over there you'd walk on the left. I don't know what the rules are when pavements exist, though. I haven't seen one in ages!