I'm from Australia and have been living and running in the UK for the past 18 months. I've noticed runners here tend to be much more aloof than Oz runners - instead of a wave or g'day, most UK runners I encounter stare straight ahead or anywhere else to avoid eye contact. I'm fairly certain it's not 'coz I am intimadating as I am quite small. So UK runners now is your chance to explain - does this description fit you or am I just living in a runner-unfriendly area?
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Anyway, I ran in Wrexham (North Wales), Heacham (Norfolk),Biggleswade (Bedfordshire) and Hig Wycombe (Bucks) in the mornings and I encountered a smile, a greeting or a nod in every place. Therefore, I have to disagree with you Jayne, I'm afraid. Maybe you do live in an unfriendly place!!
One of the nicest things about going "home" to the West of Scotland is that everyone there is so much more ready with a nod and a bit of chat.
Joking aside it is nice when people do respond, but I think that in the towns and cities this is a much rarer occurrance than in the country.
Jayne - maybe moving would sort out your problem!!
It's just got to a temperature where I can go outside here now, but none of the runners/walkers really acknowledge each other along the creekside of Dubai.
Thing is, if I started saying 'hello' the women would think I was a bit strange and the guys would think I fancied them and follow me. That's how it is here with the nationality mix unfortunately (it would take an age to explain it in finer detail) and I am the only Brit I see out and about running at 6.30 in the morning.
Beth
I always acknowledge other runners in some way, though I have to agree with others that if I am puffed, it tends to be a wave or a half - strangled 'Hi', but everyone responds. I do find though that if I am off road and meet walkers, the reaction is totally different. Eyes down, avoid any communication at all costs seems to be the common reaction. Maybe these people just don't understand us runners (a term I use loosely in relation to me - but then what else would I be a 'staggerer', a 'labourer' , or probably the most apt a 'plodder'. I think I'll stick with Runner, and try to convince myself!)
When i run in the town I usually (sometimes unfortunately)get greeted by pupils). To be fair, most of the runners I see I know anyway.
When I used to live in Hampshire the runners there were generally pretty communicative too.
City runners do tend to be a bit more "serious" - or are they just trying to avoid breathing in the fumes?
Incidentally, I've run in Belgium, France,Italy and Spain and runners and cyclists almost always wave, at least.
I reckon we're a pretty friendly bunch actually - is it a question of the shared discomfort?
Out pounding the pavements of New Malden, Berrylands, Surbiton, Thames Ditton etc I do find people more friendly, perhaps it's because the streets are perceived to be more dangerous or difficult so we need to stick together?