Why do we say, "Excuse me," to someone when they are in our way?

Because you are the one who wants to get past them.

I don’t, rarely anyway, what I usually do is if someone is dithering and oblivious or I want to pass them I say ” Don’t move, coming up behind you.” Ya gotta be bold!

You seem to be assuming that your way is more vital in the total scheme of things than their plan, which until you came along did not require an avoidance movement on their part.

I say sorry even if someone bumped into ME by accident. We typically both say: “sorry.” It’s just part of being polite.

It’s a way to politely let them know you need to get past them. In our culture, “Excuse you,” is not seen as polite.

Certainly better than, “Fucking move will ya!?!”

I sometimes just stand and wait for the person in my way to move OR I will get really close to them and say ” we could dance but I have two left feet!” That usually moves them right out of my way.

Well, I told an elderly woman, parked in the doorway of the store arguing with her husband about where the car was, to “Get the hell out of the way” and I almost made her cry.

I have an auction house where the crowd is seated, and we deliver the items too them. Of course, a good number of the people choose to stand up in the aisle ways where we have to walk to deliver. You can part people, and as soon as you’re past, they close up the hole. Because of the noise, they can never hear you saying “Excuse ME” if you’re behind them unless you scream it obnoxiously. Finally, my solution has been to walk up behind them and say “Meep Meep!” loud and fast. They seem to get a kick out of it and I get through!

Certainly better than, “Fucking move will ya!?!” @cookieman! albeit not as satifying.
You might want to go with, “EXCUSE YOU!” next time, @Adirondackwannabe, lol

Well she was blocking everyone’s path.

Honestly, @Adirondackwannabe, if I was there and could catch your eye, I would have given you a thumbs up. Otherwise, I might even have clapped a 3–4 times.

Sometimes rudeness thrives in the absence of like or greater rudeness. I have a recent example where I exceeded a rude person in rudeness, but don’t think I can tell it in a timely manor.

I’m against using profanity in anger, hence my comment, “You might want to go with, “EXCUSE YOU!” next time.” lol

I don’t. I say: “Get the fuck out of my way.”

@Kropotkin That approach might end effectively at least 50% of the time, or you’re going to get the snot beat out of you. lol

I’ve already heard a few people say ‘excuse you’ instead, but usually when they already know the person well enough. I suppose the reasons for saying ‘excuse me’ beat the alternatives, and most people are not deliberately being in the way of others anyways.

“Excuse me” is short for “Excuse me, but I’m going to push past you whether you like it or not”.

Yes, and @downtide, it’s all about the tone of voice.