DEAR MISS MANNERS: When walking or biking on a sidewalk or a trail, I often encounter three individuals walking or riding abreast. Instead of their moving to single file to let me pass, I’m forced to move aside to the grass or curb.

When I was walking on a narrow pier, keeping to my side, I was approached by this woman walking on my side rather than staying on hers. I deliberately continued to walk straight toward her. We would have collided if I had not, once again, stepped aside.

Should I call out this rude behavior?

GENTLE READER: Yelling “gangway!” as you plow into the offending individuals might seem like a good idea, but it would put you on the wrong side of both etiquette and the rules of right-of-way.

One rudeness does not justify another. And being off-course does not relieve you of the duty to avoid a collision.

Miss Manners admits you might be in technical compliance were you to force them to change course by stopping in place. But this will be cold comfort if it results in your being run down. Better to step aside with a startling, “Excuse me!” that will cause them to look up as they go by.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.