My 2nd time in Copenhagen - Walking on sidewalks is odd here.

Stay your lane, and right before contact stop and make eye contact to make it as uncomfortable as possible for everyone.

As a dane, this annoys me so much that i want to throw the people doing it out on the street and wish for them to be hit by a bus…. I stay in my lane in either side, and when they are close enough lock eye contact and just keep walking.

If it is old people or some who needs some support, ofc i stand to the side or go around, but the rest is just poor behavior and I am not here to please such a holes😇

Just stand still if a big group approach you then they will figure out to walk around you

Most people are stupid, and don't care about anyone but themselves. And since they can afford to, since they will never see consequences, they will continue to do so.

Stand your ground or be the one that relents, I choose based on my mood, and who they are. Fuck em, they're being idiots.

This is a thing in every city, town and village i have been to in Denmark.

Same thing in the gågade in any city, people stand with strollers, bikes etc in a group to talk and not giving space - despite you looking straight at them while approaching.

I live in a small city and as a fast walker, there are certain routes i avoid while the shops are open. Usually i can zig zag between the crowd, but i prefer to just take other routes.

Same thing in stores as well. Us Danes are usually a friendly and respectful bunch, but we can also be very inconsiderate towards other people in the public space - especially the older segment are "good" at this.

Unfortunately it's a thing, yes. This was one of the first things I noticed after moving to Copenhagen 8 years ago. My Danish boyfriend can't really say why is it like that, although he definitely doesn't support it. I guess it's just how it is and we all have to accept it.

As a Dane myself, I find this behavior increasingly disappointing and it feels selfish that many don't consider others. I always try to make way for people, but it's becoming difficult to continue this when others don’t do the same. It also gotten a lot worse over the years and seem to continue..

It definitely is a thing - and most decently behaved ‘Copenhageners’ also find it annoying 🙄 my personal ‘trick’ is trying to catch their eye at a distance, eye contact usually allows for both parties to kind of bear a bit to the side… if they don’t, I pull out my phone when we’re close to colliding and start texting, literally act as though I’m just walking and can’t see them, then they’re usually more likely to circle around me… if none of the above works, just tense your shoulders a bit and brace for impact 🤦‍♀️ if I’m ever on a busy pedestrian street like Strøget though, I just make sure to basically weave between people. I walk fast, I’m tall and thin, so at least it’s easy to see over people’s heads and find a fast way out of the congested pools of people lol… I really think the trick is to make room for yourself, before making room for others (at least when that’s what 90% of other people do) - the lack of spatial awareness is a cultural disease. Just the other day, I was on the metro with the entire front portion empty, lots of seating, but I couldn’t get through because everyone had just gathered right in front of the doors since passing Kgs Nytorv and Nørreport and stood there just blocking the doors and each other 🙄

Also a thing with people walking WAY TOO CLOSE behind you, I swear it happens to me constantly, like there’s no one for blocks and some Rasmus will pop out of a shop door and just be riding my fucking ass indefinitely, drives me nuts

I see a lot of people saying “look them dead in the eyes” etc. when walking by. This, I found, is bad advice. You should walk straight your lane, and then look to the side a few metres before passing, as if you have not seen them. This will make people move 9/10 times in my experience.

As a Copenhagener who was raised right - this pisses me off on a daily basis, and sometimes, if the other person won’t make a SINGLE TINY effort to try and make space for the both of us, the little devil in me that my mamma did NOT raise makes me bump into them on purpose because I get so annoyed. Entitled ass behavior to not be aware of your surroundings and other people AAAAAAAH

I've noticed this, and it's triggering me so much. I love the city, but I've never experienced such struggle with space awareness in any other city in Europe.

A tip that I've used soooo many places is to begin slowing down when getting close. People subconsciously will avoid things that doesn't move, and if you slow down just enough, they'll move out of their way

People don't give a shit about getting out your way, you just have to get used to the entitlement. It's similar in Asia, people feel no need to make allowances for others with regard to space. I'm from England so it was hard to get used to. Just walk straight through people that can't be bothered to be situationally aware. People on bikes and with childrens prams will travel 2-3 in a row and stop everyone else, and will not care at all.

I'm from Boston. Sidewalk behavior in the two cities is identical. It is neither brutish, as you suggest, here nor idyllic, as you suggest, there.

I’m danish and have been living in Copenhagen for the past 15 years. You are right, it is a thing and it is getting worse. I have started to just politely move to the right of the sidewalk but not a cm more, instead of pushing myself towards the Wall or similar. It results in that i often bump hard in to people and then they stand there with a picachu face 🤷‍♀️ I’m a relatively small woman and it confuse then so hard that I do not just jump away and let them walk as they please 😂

Imma not defend it because I realise its shitty, but I WILL tell you how we navigate that shit;

You pick a point behind the head of the person you want to pass, left or right, and you keep looking at it. That's the side you're gonna pass them on. It works 90% of the time.

I've bumped into people while accidentally not looking and I realized they did it on purpose. It's a weird behavior and makes people look like complete douchebags

It's the entitlement lmao

Maintain course and speed.

There are some tricks to make the other part move out of the way instead of you.

1. Look away, example: Look in the sky as you see a bird or plane or some other interesting thing. If you are not paying attention to the other part they will notice and move around you.
2. When you play the game of "chicken" against another part walking against you someone has to move to the side. When you keep your lane and the other part won't move simply STOP. If you are not moving the other part will move around you and you taught them a lesson.

After implementing one and two I never have to change my lane anymore.

Call it out: say to them, "gå til højre!" That's how you change this behavior. The worst is the baby tram folks who are the most entitled people I have ever met in my life. Call it out.

No this is not normal. The bad part is that yes it is a thing here and because most people here lack spatial awareness and don’t care if they disturb you, you have to just avoid them or confidently find a way to walk “normally” and you can even give them a look to be honest… maybe they will realise they are standing in the way. This thing alone will tell you a lot about how “aware” people are here .

This is very much a thing! I feel like I am going crazy as if nobody else notices this.

I might sound like an old grumpy person (which granted there might be some truth too) - it wasn't always like this. It seems like being mindfull of others in many aspects of life has slowly corroded. I see it so many places.

When I was a kid my mom would tell me not to do stuff - even if nobody was around - just in case someone might come along.
Todays parents don't give a shit if they take up the entire sidewalk and their kids might drive their push bike RIGHT into me or something.

I think people both don't care of others and simultaniously is petrified of others.

EDIT: Just to clarify I don't think this is a parents-only thing... but more of a generational thing. Mindfullness is on the way out and it comes from proper upbringing.

Here everyone owns the sidewalk. Oh I mean everything

People in the streets piss me off.

I'm sorry to say it but a lot of Danes especially in Copenhagen does not give a f**k about common sense as well as the official traffic rules.

I tried to find solutions to this problem many years ago but with no luck.

For a long period of time I simply took a small halt for like 5 seconds before the clash and people annoyingly changed course.

Unfortunately, this tactic has backfired lately, especially when I am up against groups of people.

A couple of weeks ago 2 girls started to shout at me because I was blocking them in walking in the opposite direction of the sidewalks. They argued that they were 2 people walking next to each other so I was an idiot because I did'nt wanted to move right into the opposite direction of my walking path. It was adults not Kids.

I hope you find a smart way to get around without getting into too much trouble 🤞🏻

I’ve always stepped to the sides. I have however seen exactly what you are saying. Large groups of people that don’t walk infront of and behind eachother. They always have to make a single line. Assholes, every single one

Definitely just body check people. People need to learn.

One thing I noticed is that even small women in places like netto or the escalator will physically push me and go past me instead of saying excuse me so I can give them more space. These people are definitely danish. I am a huge guy so even tho I am standing to the right side of the escalator I need to turn myself in to avoid contact and usually people would say excuse me as they are passing. I haven’t experienced that anywhere but China. People in Copenhagen are unpredictable as half seem to be extremely polite and the other half downright rude whereas people are very predictably polite in a place like Osaka

Hyper individualistic country.
This is also a trait in Sweden.

Just look up in the sky, as if at an airplane or a tall building. They’ll move. Same thing in NYC. It’s not a European thing. It’s a city thing. People don’t want to collide with people who aren’t looking where they’re going. They’ll probably say to each other “stupid tourist!” but they’ll never know that you played them.

What a snowflake

You just have to act like you are a little bigger than you are, if they force you into the street stand your ground, they will have to walk around you. Heavy eye contact.

I have found the exact same thing since moving to Denmark 2 years ago.. There is no manners when walking down the street especially with younger people... And no one holds doors open for people. Just simple common courtesy does not exist. It's definitely different to how I was brought up.

The US has sidewalks?

I’ve been to Copenhagen many times and never really experienced people being rude walking. Go to Yountville CA and I get so pissed at people who walk 4 across and don’t move. When I’m with my son who is 6’5 300 lbs plus people seem to move quickly.

Unfortunately, yes, it's a thing. I alternate every month, one month of giving space and going around, and one of unapologetic smashing into everyone and everything in my way. This keeps my conscience clean and it's kinda fun

Yes unfortunately. I tense my shoulder, stay my course and if a group of people don’t move so we can share the sidewalk equally, I ram into them. Maybe say “excuse you”. I don’t see why I should squish up against a wall or go onto the road. It sucks but I’ll teach them one at a time 🙃

That shit pisses me off. 

People who havent been raised properly. 

I stay in my lane and wait for people to move right. 

In my experience if you are on the right hand side the person oposite to you changes line. If you are on the left hand side most of people will not move.

Assert dominance by taking your space. If people walk besides each other, taken the “right lane”, I’ll walk right into them.

This has become increasingly worse over the last 15 years. I don't take no shit and stand my ground. In fact I enjoy the battle of ages. A mother with a stroller - i give up and make ways.

If people walking in groups don’t make room for me, they’ll be crashing into me. I will be to the side, but I won’t squeeze myself past. Sometimes you just have to own your space.

If it’s lots of room I just bob and weave.

It's a 100% a thing. Depending on your mood you can go out of your way to avoid, lightly brush past them (AND DONT LOOK BACK). Or simply go for the full on barge: drop the shoulder and swing back. They'll be horrified but you'll be vindicated 💁🏻

I call it a social disability. Lack of thinking about other people, and it’s pissing me off as well :)

Mexican here, living in DK since 2010. The bumping into each other without acknowledging it is something I experienced recurrently. That, and people invading my personal space (closer to me than 60 cm), while queuing.

It’s crazy how inconsiderate people are. Annoys me so much

This unfortunatly is a thing in most cities. At least on Sjælland

This is a new thing I have noticed too..people are getting confused about "keeping to the right" . Been happening more after corona / vac

I noticed it in anywhere where I am not in Japan. It’s basically western dominated individualism more than being in Copenhagen. Not that much consideration for others for simply walking in public space.

Generally, people from CPH are rude, arrogant, pretentious and without manners. I walked in rain there, had no umbrella and could barely see. Someone walked into me - their umbrella poked me in the eye and they proceeded to yell at me 😂 LIKE IM SORRY FOR EXISTING HERE MY GUY!

You just need sharper elbows. And stay your lane - keep you pace, and make them move for you.

So.. I just got back from two weeks in cph and I can say I’m not sure what this is about. I rode a bike (and was already warned to stay in my lane), and walked everywhere. It was my second time there this year and I’m somewhat dumbfounded that I missed this.. seriously .. even a bunch of Danes are chiming in. I guess I was in a fog lol

It happens so often to me. I'm usually on the bike and don't notice it but the times that I walk it happens a lot.

The other thing is people trying to come in and blocking the exit when you are stepping out of public transport. I had to raise my voice at a 50+ year old man yesterday walking in the train as I'm trying to go out with 2 IKEA bags on my shoulds. Like what the hell man.

Oh yeah, definitely a thing. I was accommodating to the new behavior for my first year or two living here, now I just go full Philly any time I encounter rudeness. Loud and direct, and I follow up in Danish if they try to be stupid about their own rudeness.

I noticed it too and was told by friends at work in CPH to not look up and then people would move at the last minute. Worked sometimes.

Having lived in the UK, US and Germany I can't say I have noticed this.

Sadly people are retarded, i normal start to say. GIV PLADS!

I feel like people stand in the way, and don't go to the side everywhere I go. Not just in Denmark. Literally everywhere. I've never been anywhere in the world where this was not a problem.

I don't recognize this. Are you mainly in the Inner City with all the visitors and tourists? I live in Nørrebro and don't find this to be a problem at all.

It’s must be a big and small country thing. I’m from a country which is similar in size and population as dk whereas my husband is from Madrid. He has all these rules regarding where to be on a pavement and I like whaaa?

I have noticed a big difference in other people sidewalk behavior depending on the clothes I wear. In my work clothes (suit and tie) people generally move more out of the way. In my relaxed clothes (worn out sweatpants and hoodie) no one moves.

If 4 people are taking up the whole sidewalk I usually just aim in the middle so they have to budge.

I usually brace my shoulder and smash into people if they don't move

Yeah, danish people usually just feel entitled enough to not give others space to walk. That’s just a thing here. Especially women with kids.

People are Strolling rather than walking briskly to get from A to B. It’s a pain in the hole

If you find that you consistently have to give way to other people, you may be a fast walker. If you want people to move around you, you just have to walk slower than they are. Try it. It blew my mind when I realized this.

Just walk naked… works every-time (for us ugly people).

Big problem yes, bigger after corona I think. I guess people that normally did not walk a lot got used to empty streets. And then there is the whole "I am allowed to do everything" attitude which you will especially notice when people are cycling on sidewalks right towards you or texting while biking

Look towards where you Are going and dont look away. People will move

If there coming your way, It's a game of chicken, just stay in your lane and dont look like deer in headlights .They'll move. Being stuck behind some on the other hand is frustrating AF.

I am Danish but come from the other end of Denmark (Northern Jutland) and I have made the same observation when I am in Copenhagen – and so has my wife. There seems to be a "the pavement belongs to me" movement (or lack of movement, sometimes) in the Danish capital.

If you move out of the way its your problem. You have right of way, just bump into them. I hate it, so i just bump into people if they are not moveing so we can pass each other.

I had a confused dude once who thought it was unessary, i just told him to mind where he is walking since they were filling up the whole sidewalk. and left. No issues there.

That's so interesting, I'm visiting at the moment and have found the same thing, very strange 😂

I combat this by tilting my head back slightly, chin up, and stare into the distance above, or right next to peoples heads, making sure to present a body language that i'm very determined to reach that point in the distance. This somehow makes most people move. Works even better in large crowds/festivals.

Stop in the middle of the lane and start looking at your phone. They will have to go around you.

No seriously. I try to make eye contact and smile. Move a bit to the side and then expect them to do the same. It usually works. They don’t do it to be rude, they are just caught up in thoughts or conversations. And if you just move to the side, they’ll think you’re okay with them walking on. Don’t forget to watch out for bikes, if you step off the sidewalk 😉

On a side note - I don’t know where you’re from - but I have heard a lot of foreigners commenting on how we just “hang out” on the escalators instead of running up/down. And how we respect the unspoken rule of standing on the right (still on the escalator) to allow those, who actually are in a hurry, to pass by on the left.
I know it’s different in every country… There really should be a handbook for these things!

Hmm, I haven't really noticed this. But if I am in a hurry, I put on the "power walk with death gaze" and literally "cut" between people (turn my shoulder perpendicular, slice with my hand, and squeeze through between them. This was how I walked in London during rush hour, and Copenhagen never gets as crowded.

Some countries have a magical sound/phrase that you have to make for people to make way. You just need to stay for long enough to figure out what it is in Copenhagen.

Welcome back! We're glad you decided to visit again.

The answer to your question is yes. Unfortunately. You can normally spot the people who behave this way from a long distance. My answer is simply to walk right into them with a semi high pace.

Normally I do a lot to get out of other pedestrians way if it makes sense that I am the one who do that.

But when I am in my "right", and I have jumped out of the way one time too many, this is my way of dealing with the problem.

Just give them a shoulder, stay in your lane and don’t back down. Those sidewalk shits need to learn it the hard way

Compared to the Dutch I always found the people in cph very easy going on the sidewalks! Maybe this has changed the last years?

Yes, it is a thing… let’s not argue whether or not it’s good behaviour, it’s NOT! There’s a few things you can do…. First, be brave!!!! Secondly make eye contact (if they are texting, prepare for impact or move)… thirdly, you pass on the left (if possible), and you put one shoulder forward on passing, it gives both of you more room!

Just stop. Don’t move. Just stop walking. Pretend to look at your phone or something if it makes you feel less awkward. But nobody walks into something stationary. So stop walking into the street to accommodate these Neanderthals. Let them go around you.

As a Dane I understand you... It's borderline fucking annoying... Plus the stand in the middle of the excavator and not not thinking about people who are in a hurry to the train.

Yeah jus th walk like a a hole, them folk do it on the regular i have 2 tell folks move out my lane or give the other gender a shoulder just to walk not even trying to be hard but its the only way like driving in Copenhagen

If you are in the city Kgs Nytorv life hack walk so slow everybody walk fast there the they notice you are chill move around you try it

As a dane, living in Copenhagen for 25+ years (and grew up in a smaller town 25 km outside of it), I have honestly never noticed this. I dont know, Copenhagen is a very safe city and you dont have to stay at arms length when encountering random people on the sidewalk. Chances are that noone will ever mug you, hurt you or attack you. Maybe this is why people strafe by you inside your comfort zone and this is why you feel as they arent moving. Your definition of "personal space" might not be the same as the regular "jolly dane".

I dont think you need advice to how to walk the streets and how to use eye-contact or whatever nonesense advice you are getting here. I guess if you really look for it, you can find a way to victimize yourself - even by doing something as simple as walking down the streets...

Danish people are the worst at this. I walk through Torvehallerne everyday and even though the aisle is as wide as a highway some Dane always have to stop and step into the flow of people walking.

Go to the markets in Spain where the corridors are narrow AF and yet everyone seems to have a 6th sense and you are never blocked and flow never stops.

This is definitely a Danish flaw, as a dane I only became aware of this extremely annoying way of not moving on sidewalks when I lived in New York. You could spot a group of Danish tourists a mile away, as they would block a full section of the sidewalk, just standing and talking about where to go next, or just block the sidewalk for no reason. Without a bother I'm their lives that everyone else where pretty much crashing into them, and throwing themselves round this group of Danish people. I have come to the conclusion, that in most places in Denmark. There are not so many people that it is necessary for sadness Danes to have civilised rules for moving about on sidewalks.

Communication works. Just say excuse me and they will gladly make room for you to pass.

People who expect others to read their minds, and then blame the city when people can’t do that, are odd

This used to annoy me tremendously, and I started doing some of the tricks people have mentioned in here - but honestly, it wasn’t nice having to bump into people. Now I just make space for everyone (in a reasonable manner, of course.) I choose peace.

Sadly you are right. People here, are so egoistic these days. Won’t get in a line if they are a group, look up from there phones, and lots of bicycles on the sidewalks. So take care, sorry, and hope you are enjoying your stay anyway.

Just give the shoulder

From the US. Been here for almost a year. I stand my ground, stay on the right, and if I shoulder check someone I will

Just stop and look at your shoes for a second.. They'll go around

Happens all the time here in the US. I’ve always thought it was a clueless American thing.

Just keep your lane and signal with your body (confidence) that you are staying in your lane? No need to look at them.

They will move. I do this with groups, singles, baby strollers who want all of the sidewalk and leave no space for me, people on bicycles etc.

Show propose and no fear is the way.

If there is a group of people I walk straight through them and if they are in the way I gently move them and say excuse me.

If you move like a possible victem, they will see you as such

I think you just give off a bitches aura

dane here and i totally agree with you. People can seem so selfish, instead of be so selfish about your my little lane rule. Lookup and be nice to eachother...

Its almost easier to get through in NYC and i also think big citys in south EU is more open.

I find screaming out loud works really well. People suddenly move and make a nice path for you. My friends call me Moses

I live in Copenhagen NV and often walk the streets to and from Norrebro station.

It’s a definite issue.

Some people stare in their mobile while walking having no sense of where they’re walking.

Some people walk in groups and occupy the entire sidewalk in one direction, not giving a damn about people coming against them.

I’m a pretty big guy ,193cm & 120 kg, I often simply stay in my right lane on the sidewalk and kiss the persons shoulder coming against me in a group of people quite hard unless the person realizes what’s about to happen.

I managed to knock a guy on his arse yesterday, since he didnt get out of the way. Two guys in their 30s walking on the sidewalk, didnt make room for anyone that came towards them and when it was my turn, they keep doing it. Boom, knocked the one on the right down with my body.

He was perplexed what happened, but I said that we keep on the right here.

I just got home and I was thinking this exact thing. People take up the ENTIRE sidewalk and it pisses me off.

Waiting for the green man to cross the road, despite zero traffic around you is a strange feeling from someone coming from the UK too

I usually speed up my walk and act like I don't see them. They usually move. If not we shoulder bump and I say sorry, even though I'm not.

It’s a very Danish thing but there is one thing even worse, believe it or nuts: “People” (19 of 20 times young females) walking their BICYCLES side by side on the pavement while chatting.

Is Copenhagen hilly?

I’m from a smaller town in Denmark, and over there people move waaay before you’re even near them on the sidewalk just to let you know that they are making space for you. What I however have noticed when I moved to cph is, that it isn’t common to move and give space on the side walk over here. So I just walk very confident and straightforward with no intention of moving if people won’t give me room on the side walk. (Ofc not pedestrians that are old people with difficulties walking or anything similar to that).

Yeah you just give people a look that I wont move and just walk on. If you bumb into them just say sorry. Guess I did'nt see you. Or maybe you did'nt see me. If people make room. I make room to by "sliding by them. But I'm damned if I move

YES! And the swedes are even worse.

Nahh i look like some named Ali so ppl givee wayyyy lol. But i often am the one to avoid walking into ppl i feel guilty

Walking on sidewalks is a big game of chicken in Copenhagen. In general there does not seem to be a cultural element of being self aware of space in public spaces and how it is impacting others - people commonly stop in the middle of walking paths to greet someone or chat as a group, rather than moving instinctively to the side. It’s also common in grocery stores, but also more socially acceptable to just make your presence known and then just push by. 🤷‍♀️

You have to learn how to check Danes and teach them proper etiquette. You will learn.

Yeah spatial awareness has never been their forte. Everywhere else in Europe (and much more densely populated) people move smoothly on side walks/ pavement, in stores, in metro…not here.

I used to be the one who always moved aside, always stepped off the curb. I got fking sick of it. Now I make my body seem bigger and more solid so it’s clearly impossible for me to move aside; I step towards the oncoming sidewalk-hoggers instead of away from them; I shift my shopping bag over to their side; and if they won’t get the hint then I just stop at the choke point and force them to go single file to get around me. Yes I am being a complete asshole and yes I am making this as awkward as possible for everybody. Too fking bad. They have had years to learn how to behave better. They never did, so now I won’t either.

Wins the slowest, so slow down

I moved here from Canada with my husband and it was the first thing we noticed. I am guessing it’s something connected to a lack of self awareness or spatial awareness? Possibly ignorance too. But regardless, it is really frustrating! It definitely isn’t tolerated back home 😂

Danish people dont know how to walk, i see it Daily.

Native dane here.. danish people just don’t have consideration to their surroundings. It still pisses me off till this day

They mostly move eventually 😊

I didnt know sidewalks was a thing in the us? Are they large enough for your mobility scooters?

Noticed this a lot. It got really annoying, fast.

It was a big issue during Covid, and i thought people learned that lesson.

Now i hold my path of travel without budging, trying to teach them. Silly me. Some people never learn.

Maybe you should stop staying "far right" then😂

I call this "walking like a tourist" (slow, generally unaware of their surroundings, acting like everyone else also has all the time in the world... I have to walk along Nyhavn quite a lot.)

I've not spent much time outside of Copenhagen, so hearing that this is apparently endemic to the entire country is a bit surprising.

I thought all walking was odd for Americans…

Lots of tourists in Copenhagen these days.

Because people have enough in themselves. Me me me culture. Unfortunately this reflects everywhere in the society, not just on the sidewalks