How to Maneuver Through a Crowd
I’m worried about urinating.
If I have few toilet facilities (for example, I’m stuck in front of the stage during a concert), I suddenly feel the urge to go (even if I don’t need to). This is a psychological approach, and it taught me a lot about how to get through the crowd when everything seems hopeless.
We’ve all been there – you’re trying to drive through a tight airport, metro station, or concert venue, and people just don’t move for you. How dare they! Luckily, dealing with a crowd of people can be easy if you learn to practice some helpful people handling strategies (and etiquette).
I spoke with Paul Wertheimer, a crowd safety expert, about how to get through crowds with maximum efficiency and why touching someone, such as a light pat on the shoulder, isn’t always good practice when it comes to jumping out of crowds.
Take a walk around the periphery
According to Wertheimer, if you are in a stationary crowd trying to get onto the stage, take the path of least resistance and walk to the sides of the hall. The perimeter of the site is usually less dense, so you have a better chance of getting ahead.
After you step back some distance, fight your way sideways into the crowd and the crowd should open up. Side cutting allows you to take up less space and people will see and take notice of you when you approach. “You approach people from the outside,” said Wertheimer. “You don’t come up from behind, you don’t interrupt them, you don’t take them by surprise and don’t bother them. They are visually aware that you are walking in their direction. “
Work your way through
If you cut through the crowd and need someone’s attention without annoying them, just make it clear where you are going with a simple hand gesture. Has a convenient psychological effect. “It means people don’t think [you] are going to stand in front of them. People are more likely to miss you, ”said Wertheimer.
Make your way through the crowd
Let’s say the perimeter of the crowd is motionless. In this case, instead of pushing people in front of you, do the following and zig zag across the audience. “It’s not necessarily a straight line,” he said. “I would say sorry, and [after] people part ways, I see space to the right or left of the direction I’m going, and I work my way in the right direction using [those] spaces. … “
Subscribe to someone
Do you see someone heading where you want to go? Let them go ahead, Wertheimer also recommends. “Follow the stream,” he said. “Instead of blazing a new path if someone is already opening up new horizons, just follow their trail and drift. Again, this is the path of least resistance. “
Look at a point in the distance
Let’s change the scenario a bit. What happens if you find yourself in a moving crowd, such as on a busy street or on a subway platform? According to Wertheimer, the best strategy is still to wade through the crowd and also keep up with the times. Don’t stop, as you will only hold people behind you.
Walking with intent and planning your next steps while looking at a specific point in the distance can also distract people from your path. People will instinctively back out of your way if they can appreciate your point of view and where you are going.
Don’t touch people
Yes, it might seem like a light pat on the shoulder can help break up the crowd, but that’s not always a good move, Wertheimer added. “You don’t know the person you’re going to touch,” he said. “You can often scare someone.” It’s also just annoying and you might disturb someone during a show or concert. Instead, you just need to point in your direction.
And if the crowd still doesn’t move, well, at least you’re a lot closer to the restroom and exit.