WHY KEEP TO THE RIGHT

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4228, 14 February 1921, Page 3

WHY KEEP TO THE RIGHT

The custom of patsing to the riglit of people when nocting them in the street dates back many»years, to the days when the sword and daggor •were generally v/cri). The sword was curried on the left side, and the ca^ftr in a sheath on the right, when- it ci.uld so easily cc unsheathed I'univeJy. In course of time the dagger 1 < came the favourite weapon of the a?sa;~sin. Pas-sing on the le. ft of the man you met rendered both of you open to a stab from a dagger, the blow being delivered with ifre light hand at clo:?e quarters. Passing to the right, the dagger was out of action, and it was easy to see if the: man meeting you meant to draw his fword, in which oaso you had ample time to .retaliate. No gentleman who valued his reputation would over pass to the left; such a step "would be regarded with the gravest suspicion. Though the days of daggers and swords have long sjince gone, the rule for foot passen,gex is still suwives.