What do you think about track etiquette?

Actually at the Y I used to frequent, they had everyone switch direction every half hour or hour for that very reason. Of course, everyone did it, so there was no conflict.

did they do it violently?
TURN ya MONKEYS!!!

No, silly. The track actually spins on an axis. At the top of the hour, they hit the button, and everyone goes flying backwards. It's quite a rush.

Oh.
(i have no response to this)

I alternate directions on the track during my speed workouts. Like coach, I rarely see any other runners. I DO, howevah, contend with fat chicks walking their dogs - but they don't count. If other runners were to show up, I probably would avoid changing direction. Unless it was someone I knew - then I'd tell them I'm hitting the crack pipe hard again and want to run some of my intervals in the wrong direction. My friends would understand. Back to the fat chicks that walk their dogs. First, no leashes required. Second, no pooper scoopers either. Finally, I love how they park their car almost on the track because it is too far of a hike to walk the extra 15 yards from the nearest actual parking spot. For them, I like to play a game of chicken. If they crowd the inside lane, I charge at them full speed and only move slightly over at the last possible second. If a leashless dog run under my legs - it gets kicked (not enough to hurt it, but enough for it to stay away from me on the next lap). Then they call me rude and leave immediately :P

a very "close call" with heavy breathing by me (I only do speedwork on the track so I am usually hoofing anyway) and then promptly with a quick pass right in front of them almost touching them.
Or some times I just say passing on the left and force them out of the way. every track I run on has posted rules usually 2-3 on the list is yield to faster runners.

Interestingly enough, at the reservoir trail in Central Park in NYC you MUST run clockwise. Posted rules; now that's odd!