Going to hit people with it. Got to accept that, it’s more on other people to pay attention then you as you’re just using it as means to see. Just don’t swing it hard and heavy while tapping.

Your assistant should be beside you to help guide you and watch out for things and interact with things for you.

Tapping things is the point of the cane—if you're not tapping people and things, you're not using it correctly. Of course some people won't like being tapped, but that's not for you to worry about.

If you tap something that feels like a person just say a quick “Pardon me” or something polite like that. Sighted people run into each other all the time. And remember that they can see you so it is their responsibility to move. Tapping them lightly is better than walking full force into them.

When my wife was in school she was known as "Moses" for clearing a path down hallways with her cane while carrying a 10kg Perkins Brailler.

I know you are self conscious about traveling through busy hallways in school. but it is not terribly significant. Even if people have to move it is not a big deal and only the truly petty people would really mind at all.

Walking in single file vs ahead or behind is a space issue. Generally people walk side-by-side when feasible to better converse while traveling. Single file would be better only when walking side-by-side is inconvenient.

Tapping people and things with your cane is what it's designed to do. Part of the purpose of a cane is to be a symbol to others that you can't see well, so it's on them to take heed of that and get out of your way.

If I'm using my cane and I do happen to see someone, I'll avoid tapping them with it, but if I don't see them, well... that's why I have the cane!

Your assistant should walk beside you, or maybe a half-step ahead of you if they're guiding you.

Haha. You are a good soul. My wife will sometimes intentionally tap people with her cane. I always find it hilarious because they turn and apologize to her. They don't seem to see the evil little grin on the corners of her mouth.

You're going to hit people with your cane. That's the unfortunate truth. However, people will get used to it, and then not pay attention. As for your assistant, it depends. If it's busy or crowded, beside may be better, especially for doing sighted guide, however, it they walk behind you, but close enough they could stop you from running into anything or getting in trouble, that could be a good confidence booster.

Growing up, my teachers would always say just trip them and that they would figure out to watch out one way or another. I had an assistant with me up until junior year. She would usually walk behind me and give me verbal cues if something or someone came in my path. When it was very crowded, she would walk beside me to do sighted guide. I hope that this helps.

You're going to hit people with it. It is not one of those things you want to happen but there is nothing you can do about it. The real point is not that it happens. Most people will realise it can happen, and most people will realise that nobody means anything by it. You need your sense of humor intact. If you tap someone, they turn around to see what's going on, and the first thing they see is you looking friendly, that's the right way to handle it.

You have to take a bit of responsibility as well, because if you handle this sort of stuff well, then you have encouraged someone not to be wierded out when they next meet a blind person. If that next blind person they meet happens to be me, I am probably going to be grateful for that. The best thing about this is that you aren't just being nice for your own sake. We are doing this for each other and for everyone else and it makes the world a better place.

HI, if you tap your cane, you'll be informing students that you are walking behind them. In schools students are chatting and doing things that will impair them from seeing you come. They don't necessarily have to move to let you go by, as you can go around them using your cane. Keep the tip close to the ground and you'll not hurt them.
The aid should be behind you, not interacting with you unless you are coming into danger. If after a few times she did not have to intervien you should go by yourself. If you need help, you can ask a student for help, or find a door and ask a teacher for help.