[YouTube Link]

You sociology and psychology buffs probably already know this, but did you know that two people will often only walk in unison if they know each other?  According to the YouTube page of some kids who actually did an experiment on this a couple years back:

Strangers on the street do not walk together. Even if traveling at the same speed, people will walk in a staggered formation unless the pathway is too crowded to avoid it. In the event that one person wishes to pass another, the passer will accelerate and overtake the person being passed, who might choose to slow down a bit until the pass is complete. Then both people resume their normal walking speeds. If one person is walking directly next to a stranger, it is usually inferred or expected that he or she wishes to pass.

We broke this unspoken rule by walking next to a stranger on the street at the same pace they are walking.

How weird is it when a complete stranger is walking right next to you?

Tagged as: Social Norms, Sociology, Walking Together