Is there a name for this phenomenon?

Question

You know when you're walking down the hall or street and another person is walking towards you. You both try to get out of each others way and keep trying to go in the same direction at the same time so you just keep getting in each others way, until finally one of you just stops and lets the other by.

I was watching the Simpsons and I was reminded of that. It's so frustrating, sometimes I just wanna kick the other person in the shins. What do you call this?

I was just joking, I have no anger issues with this, lol.

Answer 1

I call it dancing. When that happens, I just stop and look at the person and ask if they want to dance. Yeah, it's just another pitfall of being kind and cordial to your fellow humans.

Answer 2

I'm not sure if even has a name, but if the hall or sidewalk is wide enough for both of you to pass without bumping into each other, I can see no problem. If the passageway is narrow, however, one person must take the initiative and let the other pass. That's known as courtesy. If both stop, one will usually insist that the other person go first. It's no different than when two cars are coming the opposite directions and there are cars parked on both sides of the street. One of the drivers has to stop and let the other pass. Usually both will stop to avoid a collision. That goes beyond courtesy -- it's to preserve the life of your car and yourself.

You sound very impatient and angry at such a trivial thing. Maybe you need to rethink your reaction in such a situation as you describe. Why do you want to kick the other person in the shins? And why would he or she want to do it to you? Can't either of you give a little, perhaps smile and be polite? Try it sometimes. It's called "common courtesy".

Answer 3

It's called "Clumsiambulatorstupidism"!

Answer 4

PMS. Seriously, find other things to think about.

Answer 5

. . . discoordination?