So this morning I was walking along a path with the rest of the rat race heading off to work. The path was nothing special, just a 3 meter wide, paved path with a white line painted down the center. The line marked the split between pedestrian and cycle path. So nothing special - you see it in a lot of places in the UK now.
However, watching the group ahead of me, I noticed something in the behavior of the group and of the individuals. Even though there was no physical barrier, no major risk of a collision with an oncoming bike (the path was empty and you could see quite well down the path), the majority just crowded to one side of the path not even stepping on the painted line.
In fact they mostly preferred to stack up in traffic jam fashion or like they were crammed into the tram they just stepped out of rather than risk stepping out of their side. And you could see the slow walkers holding up sections of the hoard.
There were however a few individuals who broke the status quo, crossed to the forbidden side and continued on their way having broken social convention. Seeing this a few others would follow.... but only a few.
Watching this I wondered if the behavior of each individual here mirrored their own behavior in life. Do they always follow social construct, afraid to challenge, afraid to venture and try what has not already been well trodden? Are the ones leaping ahead the adventurers amongst us?
Was an interesting morning walk to work :-)
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