Passing period: the five to six minutes of chaos between classes that feel like a social experiment gone wrong. With freshmen who are still adjusting to a bigger school and seniors who feel like they own the place, hallways are a daily obstacle course. To make it out alive (and on time), here’s a crash course in hallway etiquette.
1. Know the flow (Don’t stop)
Think of the hallway like a river: if you stop in the middle, you’re a rock in the stream, and suddenly everyone behind you crashes into you. If you see a friend during passing period, give them a small wave, but do not stop moving or begin talking to them in the middle of the hallway. If necessary, move over toward the wall so you don’t block everyone.
2. Leave the middle open
The hallway isn’t a living room, and it definitely isn’t a place to sit dead center like you’re claiming territory. The middle is the main highway, reserved for people who are trying to get somewhere or turn into another hallway. If you and your friends need to talk, or you’re just a slow walker, move to the side. Think of it like driving: you don’t park in the middle of the freeway.
3. Merging
We all know the intersections where two rivers of people collide: the small cafe stairs, the square around the Learning Commons, etc. These spots require merging etiquette. It’s not a race to see who can cut first. Alternatively, take turns and don’t block the path just because you didn’t see the others. A little patience can save everyone a whole lot of shoulder-checking.
4. Limiting groups
Walking with friends is great, but when your group insists on walking side by side like a moving wall, the rest of us can’t get by. Two, at most three across is fine; any more than that, and you become a hindrance. Be mindful that not everyone wants to be trapped behind your walking club.
5. Stairs
Stairs are their own battlefield, especially the ones in front of the activities office. So, here’s the golden rule: keep right, go up one side and down the other. Don’t walk with friends up the stairs; single file is best. Definitely don’t stop at the top or bottom to chat. If you do, you’re guaranteeing a traffic jam worthy of a multi-person collision.
6. Doors
Doors are bottlenecks where everyone is squeezed together and everything collapses. The rule here is simple: if someone is holding the door, don’t walk through without taking your turn to hold it for the person behind you. If you’re leaving a room, let the people entering go first before you attempt to push through. If there are two doors and one is closed, don’t try to squeeze through; open the other one. And finally, don’t stand in the doorway mid-conversation.
At the end of the day, high school hallways aren’t that complicated; they just require a little common sense and a lot of patience. If everyone followed these simple do’s and dont’s, the passing period could be less like rush-hour traffic and more like a smooth walk to class. Until then, pack your patience and keep moving.
