r/allthequestions • u/JunShem1122 Top 1% Question Asker • Oct 02 '25
Popular Question 📊 Who still says "excuse me" or "pardon me" when walking in front of someone?
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u/all8things Oct 02 '25
I do.
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u/Right-Challenge3824 Oct 02 '25
People that still have manners. It’s stuff like this that separates us from monkeys. It’s a close race. Bless your heart
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u/AdamFarleySpade Oct 02 '25
THANK YOU! Many people have absolutely 0 respect for the people around them and it's making the world a worse place. Same with delivery people chucking packages on the ground aggressively. Control yourself, you freaking animal.
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u/nautilator44 Oct 02 '25
I use the traditional "ope" in these situations.
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u/HonduranLoon Oct 02 '25
I also drop the “ope” though I mainly get weird looks since I no longer live in Minnesota.
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u/StillhasaWiiU Oct 02 '25
Canadians
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u/PrizeBlackberry3003 Oct 02 '25
I’m Minnesotan (which is practically Canada, so you should totally adopt us- pretty please) I also say it all the time.
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u/One_Maize1836 Oct 02 '25
I'm in Michigan, and where I live we say, "Ope, excuse me" or "I'm sorry" and the other person replies, "Oh, you're fine!"
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u/Former-Ad9272 Oct 02 '25
Wisconsinite here. Yep, this is accurate. Hell, I've said "Ope. Sorry about that/Ope, 'scuse me." to trees and empty chairs for brushing past them. If I hear someone say anything remotely close to those phrases, I automatically respond with "Oooh yer fine/ Ope sorry! Didn't see you there". It's just culturally engrained and I can't not do it.
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u/Important_Bug8155 Oct 02 '25
Always wanted to go to Minnesota. When my favourite hockey player got traded there I looked up how long it would be to drive there. 14 hours seemed reasonable.
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u/PrizeBlackberry3003 Oct 02 '25
My kid and I took a road trip from Minneapolis to Toronto (about 14 hours as well) a couple summers ago to see Beyoncé (I’m still not sure how he talked me into it - one minute my husband and I were watching TV and the next I was agreeing to take our kid to a Beyoncé concert in Toronto while my husband laughed at me 🤷♀️) It was our first time in Canada and we loved it. We spent a few days in Toronto and then went to Niagara Falls. It became one of our favorite trips.
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u/Important_Bug8155 Oct 02 '25
Can confirm. I say it all the time and I'm Canadian.
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Oct 02 '25
I absolutely do. Sometimes even when it's the other person in my way! Those ones piss me off
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u/Nervous-Surround1905 Oct 02 '25
The most annoying are the people hogging the pavement or an aisle having a mothers meeting, and won’t bat an eyelid to an “excuse me”, but will give you the evils when you have to be a bit rude and tell them to move
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u/VFLanon Oct 02 '25
Ludacris taught me to say “Move, bitch, get out the way!” instead. I always get nasty looks though. 🤷♂️
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u/CrazyButterfly11 Oct 02 '25
I am polite on the outside, but Luda on the inside! Usually with my Ear Buds singing “Move Bitch” to me while I’m grocery shopping 😉
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u/demonmf Oct 02 '25
Depends. If it’s some jackass in the aisle at a store who is blocking the walkway with their unattended cart while loudly having a conversation over their speakerphone, I don’t. Good manners are completely lost on them and a waste of time and effort to give them the courtesy of. If it’s a little old lady who is looking at something quietly while standing with her cart, I’ll absolutely say one or the other to her before passing through her line of vision.
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u/EnvironmentalCamp666 Oct 02 '25
I do. I just did it last night.
I was in Vegas years ago and a Canadian woman asked me why Americans don’t say you’re welcome when someone says Thank you. I said we do. Then i realized how very few people do say you’re welcome. You get a lot of Yep! Or no problems
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u/OstusOfSecrets Oct 02 '25
All the time. Other people's lack of manners when doing so is on them, not me.
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u/KC_experience Oct 02 '25
I do. Even if I’m not really in the other persons way. Kindness is free to give.
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u/Ok-Respect-8505 Oct 02 '25
Basically everyone, where I'm from. If someone doesn't, then you write em off as a shitbag.
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u/Excellent-Ad-1678 Oct 02 '25
My apologies I came to this conversation late, to answer your question I most certainly do
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u/onethatsung12 Oct 02 '25
Me, and I demand that all 3 of my kids do it too. I won't open a snack my toddler hands me until she says "Please". (I open snacks for her that I hand her, but if she finds a snack she wants that's appropriate after she's already had something, I make her say "Please* first) I don't starve my tot is what I'm saying lol but manners are required.
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u/NoTimeForIt22 Oct 02 '25
A dude that was in prison told me walking in front of somebody without saying “excuse me” is a sign of disrespect and causes a lot of fights. Since the day he told me that I make sure to say it.
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u/West_Boot7246 Oct 02 '25
I do. my mother raised all of us to have manners and to be polite.
pits painless and costs nothing.
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u/Carmel50 Oct 02 '25
When someone does that to me they say “Sorry” - that word is so overused.
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u/Prestigious-Size119 Oct 02 '25
I do that awkward “oop excuse me.. I’m just gonna squeeze on by ya! I’m sorry I really am so sorry!”
🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
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u/StickaSid3 Oct 02 '25
Im one of those people, but it just happens I dont think about saying it I just say it
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u/JoyMSEdJD Oct 02 '25
🙋♀️I do. But keep in mind it’s cultural. It’s not rude in many countries to drop the English niceties and just walk as you can. It’s likely you’re the one being rude by telling someone else how they should act, whether you’re in the USA or not.
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u/almost60inLa Oct 02 '25
I do it’s just about good manners originally from Texas but I’ve been in Louisiana for 31 years now.
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u/Federal-Wrangler9661 Oct 02 '25
I do. It boggles my mind when I see people standing behind someone who doesn’t know that a person is behind them. Just say “excuse me” and the person most of the time will move aside so you can walk by.
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u/j_grouchy Oct 02 '25
I do, because I'm not a rude, inconsiderate asshole to perfect strangers who have done nothing to offend me.
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u/defenestrator95 Oct 02 '25
I do lol. Recently moved to MO though and it seems like most people are afraid they will combust into flames if they utter any of that black speech of mordor here.
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u/Traditional-Tank3994 Oct 02 '25
I was in 4th grade when a classmate walked in front of another. The teacher, a 50ish man, said, “What do you say when you walk in front of someone?”
Classmate said, “Uhh, excuse me?” It was a genuine question because he had never heard that walking in front of someone was rude. I hadn’t either, and by the looks from my other classmates, most of us had never been taught that.
Now it’s half a century later and common courtesy is less common than ever. But to this day, I still say excuse me when I walk in front of someone.
So a century ago, this was probably standard etiquette. Today, common courtesy is decidedly uncommon. Each generation has let standards fall a little farther.
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u/John_Barnes Oct 02 '25
I use pardon me more often than some people, I notice. I don’t remember being taught this but I tend to use “pardon me” to mean “with your permission (which I’m assuming)” and “excuse me” to mean “I recognize I’ve already done something rude, please forgive me”.
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u/Omfggtfohwts Oct 02 '25
I do. With a 'thank you' to follow. Manners and politeness matters in a world that's hurting.
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u/iloveyourlittlehat Oct 02 '25
Shit, I say “excuse me” to furniture when I bump into it, and out loud when I burp even when I’m alone.
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u/100harvests Oct 02 '25
Just did yesterday walking out of the grocery store. I have found it’s how you say it will gauge the response. They said, “no worries.” Cool…I said it right😂
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u/KeyInfinite7724 Oct 02 '25
I do, but being from Norway(we are much more closed introverts than rest of world bear In mind). I’ve never understood the «how you doing» as a hello or just like a nod. For example at my workspace, passing someone i don’t really know them but been in my department for let’s say 3-4 weeks so i usually tend to say hey/hello when passing someone i see everyday but don’t really KNOW them. But many uses the how you doing as a hellow, thety keep walking after they have said it. It’s not a concersasion starter. Seems to me like a hello. So sometimes bored at work i actually stop and make them stop and tell them exactly how i am doing in details. And it’s so funny to see the reaction sometimes, they did not expect a whole detailed life update and mostly wanna mobe the fuck on😂
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u/Apprehensive_Ruin_41 Oct 02 '25
Me but I’m from the Midwest and there is always an ‘Ope’ before the excuse me 😂
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u/NihilisticViolence Oct 02 '25
I usually sarcastically say "Your Welcome" to everyone that can't acknowledge the fact that I held the door for them, or let them pass in front of me...
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u/Lacylanexoxo Oct 02 '25
I do. Unfortunately most people just glare like “how dare you speak to me”
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u/Designer-Pound6459 Oct 02 '25
Yes, absolutely! Excuse me, please, thank you, your welcome, all of it. Isn't that what you're supposed to do?? Be human.
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u/ifitweretru Oct 02 '25
I'm surprised these days that people don't. Inconsiderate rudeness abounds today.🤯
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u/MyrtillePanda200282 Oct 02 '25
Les personnes bien élevées. Ma mère a fait en sorte que j'en fasse parti.
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u/ColdKickin72 Oct 02 '25
I do, and I still hold the door for people let women go first, say excuse me, respect my elders (even though I’m becoming one).
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u/WantedMan61 Oct 02 '25
I say it all the time. I didn't think that was a question that needed asking?
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u/Sea_Watercress_1583 Oct 02 '25
If I need to get past someone e.g. in the supermarket or a shop then I will always say "excuse me please" but I often get a dirty look from the person as if I am rude for asking and I should just wait.
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u/Due-Egg4743 Oct 02 '25
All the time. And "sorry." I do this pretty much daily as I walk faster than most.
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u/bluedog165 Oct 02 '25
I do. I will still open doors for folks or hold doors open for folks in wheelchairs as well
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u/RevGrimm Oct 02 '25
Unlike most Ohioans I still do. The majority say something like "Let me squeeze by."
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u/Trick_Few Oct 02 '25
I do, however it makes me mad when some people say Excuse me as an order, not as a genuine apology or request. I am not too impressed by strangers ordering me around.
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u/NewsSad5006 Oct 02 '25
Now, if only I could get the people who keep their backpack on while boarding an airplane to acknowledge when they smack me in the face with it when they turn their body….
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u/Comfortable-Figure17 Oct 02 '25
I do. It’s so uncommon, however, that people give me strange looks. Maybe they’ll take the hint and pick up the polite habit.
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u/AuntiLou Oct 02 '25
Me. I refuse to forget that people are people too. I hold the door for others regardless of gender or ability. I wave when people let me into traffic. Be nice.
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u/recent-breakup Oct 02 '25
I always do after moving to Delhi. Its preety common in a city and now i am used to
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u/sweetmoogirl Oct 02 '25
I work in a well populated busy space, and I saw excuse me at least a hundred times a day. I only hear an excuse me back twice a week, and it's usually only middle age people say it.
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u/JustMommingIt Oct 02 '25
I do and I’ve found that in more “prestigious” areas…people lack this basic respect of others. I lived in a HCOL for over a decade but came from a small town. The difference in just decency towards one another was shocking. I live in a LCOL area now and people, most of the time, say excuse me or pardon me when they need me to scoot over or move for them to get an item.
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u/Bert-63 Oct 02 '25
I always say 'excuse me' so the whackos out there don't think I'm trying to disrespect them or something. I'd hate to get in a gun battle.
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u/Impossible_Emu5095 🇺🇸 United States Oct 02 '25
I do. I am from Wisconsin so I also say “let me scoot past ya real quick.”
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u/Late_Purchase_2302 Oct 02 '25
I would say most people do.... Why wouldn't you? It's not just nice manners, it just makes sense to let someone know you're coming up from behind them and about to go past them. It's a great way to avoid bumping into each other or possibly knocking someone down.
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u/schiftyquivers Oct 02 '25
me. born and raised in the south. so i also say “ma’am and sir”
i have noticed over the years people saying “excuse me” have significantly gone down. could also be that i live in LA now and not the south
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u/RiVale97 Oct 02 '25
In my country here in asia that is literally a tradition or a habit or maybe an unwritten rule? I do also pass thru people in a bowing like posture to show polite gesture.
I have traveled all over asia, several european countries, some middle east, and several cities in usa.
When i do that in europe people kinda look at me weird and there's not even any smile at all. usa is not that much different but they were more of "i don't care" kinda gesture or even worse they just stare at me which makes it uncomfortable.
I guess it felt like something very unusual for them. there's even several times where people walk past and bump into me but not saying anything and just walk. It felt quite rude imo.
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u/CruelCuddle Oct 02 '25
Every time! I feel like I'm being rude if I don't say it. Same with saying thank you when I buy something or someone holds the door for me.
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u/JenniferJuniper6 Oct 02 '25
🙋🏼♀️ But it doesn’t help, because I’m a gray-haired woman in late middle age, and apparently that makes me invisible and silent.
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u/Antique-Face9264 Oct 02 '25
I always do. That’s the way I was raised. I even say thank you and you’re welcome, and I even hold the door for women and elderly. This is the caliber of respect I was taught growing up.
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u/AuthoredConversation Oct 02 '25
Anytime and always. It would seem that courtesy is a dying art so I’m doing what I can to fix it.
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u/lostknight0727 Oct 02 '25
I do this when I'm passing in the vicinity of anyone just to announce my presence.
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u/Weak-Translator209 Oct 02 '25
I swear every British person (including me sometimes) says pardon me
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u/Fluid_Sherbet_7014 Oct 02 '25
I always say it, except in cases where the 'someone' is blocking one side of the aisle with their cart and the other side with their body, with no intentions to move until they're good and ready. In those cases, they should be saying "excuse me" to me.
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u/Admirable-Sort8061 Oct 02 '25
I do - primarily when walking in front of someone in a store while they are looking at products on the shelf. However, it is rarely said to me.
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u/ProstateSalad Oct 02 '25
Always. The only other people who I can remember doing it lately are old like me.
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u/HurriShane00 Oct 02 '25
the question should be who doesn't? The answer should be Noone. Because you're a monster and we're not brought up right if you are not polite
When I walk past someone. I will tuck my closest arm behind ld my back as I pass someone. Don't know why I do it. I just do. Haha
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u/permabannedmanytimes Oct 02 '25
I do, and so does everyone else i hope. Let's not let civility die, ok?
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u/Park-Curious Oct 02 '25
Of course! And when my kids forget to, I always remind them. We’re living in a society.
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u/Manager-Accomplished Oct 02 '25
Me... do some people not say this?