Path Crossing

Let's imagine a scenario where two people are walking towards the intersection of three paths, as shown in Figure 1.1 below.  The arrows indicate their intended path.

Figure 1.1

As we can see in Figure 1.2, if each person followed their normal route, they would collide in the center.  If they are both not looking at their phones and are actually aware of the environment around them, the more likely scenario is that they will move out of each other's way.

Figure 1.2

But, anyone with experience walking knows that this can lead to confusion as to which person is going which way (the ol' "you go left; I'll go right"), and is best avoided.  In Figure 1.3, we see an alternate path the blue person can take in order to avoid any sort of confrontation whatsoever.

Figure 1.3

By initially pretending to follow a different path, the pink person does not think their paths are in conflict, and continues walking normally.  Then, seen most clearly in Figure 1.4, the blue person wraps back around to catch up with his original route.

Figure 1.4

This is fine, and actually quite useful, but it raises a question: In this situation was the blue person's action manipulative?  Well, it worked out positively for both parties, and manipulation implies something bad, so no?  Just something to think about.

P.S. When walking down paths I do things like this all the time, so don't think I'm saying it's wrong.  I'm just trying to allegorically extend this situation and raise a related question.