- In these modern times almost anything goes so if the lady walks in front of you then it is not considered bad manners. If you are shopping this is quite common, but if you are out for a social time and walking then it is far better manners for the lady to walk beside the man she is with and if it is bothering you then good communication skills are very important and calmly tell her it would be nice if she walked beside you so you could both enjoy where you are. The good old manners of yesteryear are long gone leaving many men perplexed.
Slight clarification:In times past, walking side-by-side was certainly acceptable, provided that the gentleman walked to the street side of a sidewalk, protecting the female from splashed mud and other hazards that might be on the roads of the time. Some cultures required that females followed their husband, out of respect.
Otherwise, when going through doors or other narrow areas the female would generally go through first unless there was a perception of any type of hazard.
