I would recognise the 'white stick' as a signal that the user is viually impaired to some degree.
And consequently would act accordingly... whether that be adjusting my own path to give more room for other person, or perhaps be wary whilst I'm still in proximity to that person, that I may be able to assist in some way before moving on.
I tend to make room for others on the pavement anyway, adopting a sometimes random course to avoid others and make room for those who may not be quite as mobile, or indeed be able to maneouvre as readily as I.
However: I have noticed a decline in Pavement Etiquette ove the last few years... mainly in big cities, and especially here in the Smoke.
So many people appear to be so completely wrapped-up in their own little worlds... be that the next shop to plunder, the text that has just arrived on the mobile/call that has come through, so important they can do nothing else but bellow and start to walk in circles, or conversing with the group they are with, spreading across the pavement mob-handed...
Then of course there are those who are simply ignorant of the other people around them.
The pavement is not as safe a place as it used to be.
I refer back to your simple question Ms Kitty;
What does a White Stick mean...?
I doubt that a great many people these days either know... or care.
Dreadfull
lp
In these 'enlightened' times a white stick denotes...
An easy challenge for the local ASBO champion.
A target for skateboarders.
Someone to push out of the way by some chav in a rush.
...oh yeah almost forgot, a person who is entitled to politeness, respect and a little help from time to time. Other than that someone with a white stick is the same as you or I except when it comes to seeing something.
Because it is an uncommon event to see people with white sticks is there a case that at times because people are not expecting the occurence of a person with a white stick then knocks and bumps through no particular thoughtlessness by anyone then maybe that is a partial excuse. Otherwise I think whats been said covers it, though i'm sure we are all guilty of being thoughtless at times when in a rush or being self absorbed.
We have friends deaf and blind, mobility impaired and also some with learning disabilities and they all suffer at the hands of people not being aware.
So hands up, who knows what the white stick with a couple of orange bands on it means?
that they are nearly onto aan orange stck martial arts?
Blind and deaf = two bands on a white stick
Not all people with white sticks are blind some are partial sighted, saying that no matter what degree their sight was if i was someone with a white stick then i would give them a wide birth
Dump the white stick and get her a white-painted cattle prod for next time lol
I would say that it means the same as a black head-band, "My eyes are not what they could be!"
In responce I would keep out of thier way, but give assistance, if needed.
hubby here
i did some work for a blind man the other week for our boss,
let him feel the faulty part as was changing it,
when i went to leave,,he said, thank u for talking to me as i get lonely by myself,
he has no family n his wife died long time ago.
its people like this that make me happy with what i got,
My nearest city is Hereford and there we have the National Blind College although I think it's now called the National College. We have a large number of blind people in and around town many of them teenagers. Something that strikes me is their jovial nature as contrasted with the hurried gloominess of their sighted peers.
Most certainly there has been a decline in civility on the streets. I think it's rather sad.
Did anyone see the England Blind football team on the tele a couple of years ago? What a wonderful idea. The pitch was a lot smaller and was marked off by waist high boards. Behind these, coaches were allowed to call out to the teams and tell them if the opposition were near. I forget what the score was. The game was played at a walking pace and taken seriously by all involved.
As it should be.
uch: 
sorry rant over!! 
I keep getting a lot of smacked bottoms recently! 
