I understand your pain, Jaimie. When I would take my two dobies for walks, people with and without dogs would literally cross the street to avoid passing us. It still happens today, with the danes.
I figured this out tho... Fear + People + big dog = Stupidity. If you are that afraid, I want you across the street and as far away from my baby(s) as possible. I know what my dog will do in most situations, I am not that sure about you, and I don't want to find out.
So hang out on BPO, Bear, you have lotsa friends here to cyber-sniff.
Stella