DEAR ABBY: Whatever happened to the idea of keeping to the right? Most drivers observe this rule in their cars, but as soon as their feet hit the pavement, all memory of it vanishes. Our sidewalks, airports, grocery stores and shopping malls have become free-for-alls.
I was taught in school that keeping to the right prevents accidents. People have crashed into me with their grocery carts as I made a right turn from one aisle to the next and they are making a left turn along the left side. Then they look at me as if I'm in the wrong place.
Rules like this are designed to make life easier. It seems a growing number of people don't realize this is common courtesy or just don't care. I hope that by mentioning this in your column that it will remind people so our sidewalks, stores and malls will be safer for all who are walking.
If people will remember to stay to the right and pass on the left, they will see that these important rules of the road make all traffic move more smoothly. -- TIRED OF THE DO-SI-DO IN ATLANTA
DEAR TIRED: I'm pleased to print your reminder that there would be fewer collisions -- of every kind -- if we practiced good manners more of the time. And speaking as someone who has sashayed up my share of the center of supermarket aisles, I promise to be more careful in the future. Good manners are a manifestation of the respect and concern we have for others.