Walking Strategy in Madrid

I have decided, after months of analysis, that there doesn't exist a common walking etiquette here in Madrid.

My ideas of "walking etiquette" before coming to Madrid consisted of the following:

1. Walk on the right side of the sidewalk, unless you need to enter a store or you are passing somebody who is going really slow (similar to when you are driving a car).
2. If you are about to run into someone, try to get out of their way, out of respect.

Well, that doesn't work here. My first few months here, I was practically walking in circles. Trying to pass the people I needed to, trying not to run into others and walking around them. In fact, when my mom came to visit, she did the exact same thing, further proving my hypothesis....

Madrid Walking Etiquette = Walk however the hell you want, and stay your ground as long as possible! Allow me to explain.
Take this picture as an example, so that you can understand what normally happens on the sidewalk.

• There are many people always on the sidewalk. Since there is no "right side" etiquette, people are all over the place. In fact, I'm convinced that people stay on the side closest to the shop windows so they can have the best view. Voyeurs.

• There are also "props" that get in the way. Perhaps you want to pass someone, but there's a garbage can or a tree in the way

• The type of people and what size groups are also a factor. You could be behind a family of three and that damn family will take up the whole sidewalk. Why? Because they don't care about the flow of the sidewalk or moving out of the way for other people. I really don't think that enters anyone's mind here.

There are many, many more examples that I can give. And I'd like to further qualify my theory by stating that I see this in my own neighborhood, which isn't right downtown where there are huge crowds.

So, what do I do? My whole mentality has changed. I now "play Chicken". I stare down my opponents and keep walking where I want to be walking until they finally decide to move around me!!! Or another way is to keep looking at the store window until they realize I'm not paying attention. Like they say, when in Madrid, do as the madrileños!!!