Phones are a big cause, but in my experience it's far more often a group of family or friends walking five abreast who couldn't care less that they're in everyone's way. I don't say anything confrontational, but I don't make myself smaller and I don't step aside. Funny thing is, I've spent quite a while in Japan and it's even worse there. People are even more glued to their phones and completely oblivious when they walk. Sidewalks and train stations are total chaos, and then you add bicycles to the mix. For a society that puts so much weight on rules and norms, it feels contradictory.

Phones haven't helped, but I think the problem goes deeper. Compared to everywhere else I've been, at least, not paying attention to your surroundings seems to be the default here, and it feels that way too. My favorite example is people stopping dead at the end of a busy escalator. But I think the disconnect is that the social agreement you describe (you're fully responsible for watching out for yourself) doesn't really exist here. The unspoken understanding seems closer to 'stopping anywhere or drifting around is fine, so you watch out for me when I do it, and I'll watch out for you when you do.' (Of course, everywhere has a rude minority, and when the natural consequence happens, like bumping into you, they feel publicly called out for their rudeness and get angry instead.)

Even one Filipino who isn't on their phone can take up a whole sidewalk, because they tend to zigzag randomly while walking at a snail's pace. A lot of them also seem to buffer mentally and stop suddenly, like they're trying to remember why they're here and where they're going.

Get on with your life…

I get your frustration, and trust me, I hold my ground too.. watch where you're going..

Like any good guest, I adapt to the local culture. I don't push my ideas on locals. I do my best to follow local customs. In other words, go along to get along.