DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a college student who lives in the dormitories on campus. The hallways are average-sized — about 5 feet wide — and are never crowded, though residents often have conversations in the hall.

Often, two or more people will be leaning on opposite walls, making it impossible to go around the conversation. I always walk through the opening, which is wide enough to go through without coming in contact with either party, and I say “excuse me” to both for interrupting them.

Is this proper etiquette, or is there a more polite way to go down the hall?

GENTLE READER: Your solution is proper. But it does leave Miss Manners racking her brains for any other possible solution that would not involve climbing gear or coming into closer contact with the floor than might be desira

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