Spaniards and Catalanes are not the best at walking etiquette either, mind you. Simply sharing the sidewalk would seem basic enough (keep to the right) but apparently that lesson isn't taught here. If walking into oncoming people, one must dodge in and out and around. I've learned that you must watch the feet or the eyes of the oncoming person (or hips if you're talking defense in fútbol) to see what move they'll make. If it's an old man plodding along without lifting his head, it's pretty certain that he's going to stay on that same route. A group of teenagers however, will change formation 13 times before getting to where you eventually have to walk past them. I'd suggest just standing in a doorway of a shop and letting it go. They'll trample you if you aren't careful. Now a completely different scenario is the mother pushing baby stroller scene. Watch the buggy's wheels and try to steer clear. Best chance of not getting run over is staying close to the street- perhaps even on the curb or in it.
If there are people walking in front of you and you'd like to pass- forget about it. You can cough, make obvious noises that you're present behind them and they will not turn their heads nor step aside- at times you must resort to -once again- taking the curb or going into the street to pass such a pack of 3 or 4 slow-walkers who consume the path with their speech.
Back to umbrellas, I witnessed 3 injuries today in the short while it took me to walk to and from school in the rain. One head poking, one shoulder poke and one all-out collision.
Rules:
a) Small umbrellas only. Keep your golf umbrellas for the golf course.
b) Lift up your umbrella when you walk past someone else- it still keeps the rain off of you- it's just higher up in the air.
I might photocopy that and post it here in Lleida. I'll translate it first, don't worry.
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