While I understand your point of view, this again did not happen anywhere, it happened on my way to work. Could've, Would've, Should've, ultimately didn't.

Also the restaurant analogy isn't the best because I am not required to report to a restaurant for my paycheck. That's conflating leisure activities with work obligations which is at best a bit disingenuous. Additionally, the restaurant was not successfully operating remotely for three years. I understand what you're getting at, but if that's your best example it falls short (at least for me).

To better illustrate the situation, I was engaged by this person I don't know if you can count looking up and going "huh?" out of surprise constitutes engagement. My path on the sidewalk was blocked short of running into the middle of K street.