A day or 2 before I went for a walk and there was someone with a dog on a sidewalk, knowing so many dog owners give their pet too much leeway, I took the side of the person and the dog was guided on the street and I didn't have to worry about the consequences of being attacked. I don't know if such leeway is given from disregard or if they're transferring their feeling that their pet is a cuddly-nice little doggy without threat ; but in reality, just like any stranger (person), a strange animal is just as threatening (or even more so because of the added difference from specie difference), even if "just" on psychological level (a pocket dog won't really hurt but one would still feel attacked).
That got me wondering exactly what goes into people mind when they're coming on the same side ; whether alone by habit or because they're walking side-by-side with a companion. I suspect there's a part of thoughtlessness (about the potential problem) but I also suspect there's something else going on ; perhaps s/he "lost" some public conflict earlier and is trying to take revenge on a faceless public figure, perhaps I look like someone s/he manipulated and is hoping that I'll fall for his/her charisma (other than violence, one manipulate with charisma right?), or perhaps just is feeling bad and want to take it out one someone. I'm not saying that person thought of the underlying anti-social behavior but perhaps s/he did in the past which resulted in relief and is just duplicating that, or perhaps there's a lot of emotional baggage and do things without having them come up to the surface (as in truly think about it, like an IQ test or something).
So I'm wondering other than truly innocent carelessness, what goes into such seemingly territorial behavior.
Update1:
Rephrasals for clarity. Please don't hesitate to ask a question or make a request.
