Expert: Amanda Gamble - 9/29/2004

Question
I was browsing the site and read the question "Walking in public" and your answer.  I was wondering if you could confirm or deny some information I had heard about the subject.

In the early days I had heard it was custom for when a couple was walking, the lady be away from the street so the man would take any pebbles kicked up from carriages or horses.  But after paved roads became more common, the custom changed for the lady to be toward the street so the man would be closest to an alley where muggers were most likely to strike from.

Is that true, and what is the custom now?

Answer
Dear Dustin,
 The first part was true,the man was supposed to walk on
the "outside" or closer to the street. The thought being
that any mud or water splashed up by passing carriages or
wagons would get on him and not the woman with him. It still holds true.
A truck or car can move mud or water with a good deal more force,after all!

  I haven't read all the etiquette books ever published,
but I have to say the "muggers and alleys" rule is a new
one on me. I have never seen or heard that as being a
reason to have the man walk to the right of the woman.

                                Best regards,
                                    Amanda Gamble