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Jostling

Jostling refers to the act of pushing, elbowing, or shoving others, especially in a crowded environment, to move forward or gain a positional advantage. As a verb, it describes the action of forcing one's way through a crowd; as a noun, jostling denotes the act itself. The behavior can be intentional or only partially deliberate, occurring when people seek to pass through a dense crowd, reach a destination more quickly, or secure a place in line or near a stage or exit.

Common contexts include urban transit hubs, concerts, sports events, busy queues, and demonstrations. The degree of

Safety considerations and crowd management practices address jostling by aiming to reduce density and prevent dangerous

Etymology and usage notes: The origin of the term jostling is uncertain, with earliest written uses dating

See also: crowd management, etiquette, personal space.

force
can
range
from
light
contact
to
more
assertive
pushing.
While
jostling
is
a
frequent
byproduct
of
crowded
conditions,
it
can
also
lead
to
discomfort,
injury,
or
a
crowd-related
hazard
if
it
escalates.
contact.
Measures
may
include
clear
signage,
designated
pathways,
barriers
or
barriers,
stewarding
by
staff,
and
orderly
entry
and
exit
procedures.
Effective
management
emphasizes
predictable
flows,
awareness
of
vulnerable
individuals,
and
rapid
response
to
incidents.
back
several
centuries
in
English.
It
is
generally
understood
to
derive
from
an
older
sense
of
pushing
or
thrusting,
and
is
cognate
with
related
forms
in
other
Germanic
languages.