Acknowledge other runners. Yes or No. The run... - Couch to 5K
Acknowledge other runners. Yes or No. The running bug was doing this poll so I thought we might do it as well.
Please select one:
Always - no matter how much I am gasping - usually a smile or a wee nod of the head - I am Irish after all!!
Everyone I pass, be it runner or non-runner, gets a nod or smile while I'm running 
It's always nice to acknowledge the other person it doesn't cost anything to be polite
Went past someone today who avoided eye contact and certainly didn't respond to my "hi". I can't understand why some people don't acknowledge others - it gives a positive boost and makes you feel more part of a community. Perhaps he found my fluorescent yellow jacket and shoelaces too offensive...
Perhaps you were going so fast he didn't see you!
Just seen your comment, the only reason I'd not say hi back to someone is because I have trouble hearing people and when I am running am more likely to hear my heart beat in my ears than anything else, that's why I spend ages checking there isn't any cars coming before I run across roads, I'm partially deaf in my left ear and my right ear is getting worse as well but I try to at least smile and/or nod to fellow runners that are going by
In my experience that poll result should be the other way around but I've ranted about that before so I won't start again!
Are you saying that people don't acknowledge you with a wave or a nod? I have the same experience when I'm walking sometimes (on footpaths or sidewalks) - but it is usually in or near larger villages or cities. I remember one day, I must have said "hi" to ten people on a canal footpath. I got maybe two 'hellos' back, a couple of smiles, and the rest didn't reply - some ignored me but others glanced my way. I even got one bug eye stare like they thought I was nuts for being so chipper. LOL
I'm guessing the more social runners are on HealthUnlocked. We want to acknowledge our common bond. We hope to meet other runners. We want to be a part of that group. Some runners - especially with the invent of headphones simply want to be in their own little world, listening to their private soundtrack.
Don't let the antisocial behavior get to you. We're all with you. So when anyone coming at you ignores you, remember, you've got a pack of us invisible buddies right beside you.
I find other runners near me don't respond 
I especially make the effort to (gasp) 'thank you', to someone (pedestrian/dog walker etc) who moves out the way for me.
(And mumble a four letter word at the cyclists who nearly clear me up on the zebra crossing)
I usually nod or smile as i run with headphones in and usually shout if i say hi as i have my music so loud i am unaware of how loud i talk well so my kids tell me anyway.
Acknowledge other runners? Always! And walkers, cyclists, whatever... Up here in Derbyshire it's the norm but I do appreciate that it's not always the case elsewhere. When I last did my favourite London run, which starts at the Millennium Bridge, runs up towards Tower Bridge and over it, then back along the South Bank I passed 65 runners. The 62nd one said hello 
When I'm abroad and doing my tourism runs things are sometimes different too.
Maybe just a nod in passing or maybe a hi. I always try to thank anyone that moves out my way when I'm running no matter how mug I'm gasping for air
Always, a nod, sometimes I even have the energy to wave-ish 👋🏼. "Courtesy costs nothing" my 94 yr old Mum says!
I think it's rude not to!!
I even say good morning to the sheep, cattle and ponies! How sad am I?
I thought I was the only one that did that, Sallycycle.
Alas, no. Sheep, cattle (Highland on Dartmoor - explain that one?), ponies, birds, occasional rabbits and anything else. It all helps keep my mind off the hills!
So do I!
We shall stand together and be proud of our Dr Dolittleisms...or be carted off by the men in white coats!
I do that but I try to talk in the animals language and yep I am not lying about that, ran past ducks I quack, cows I moo etc etc, I think that makes me slightly more sad lol but it's nice though because they have feelings just like us humans do, and me being an alien has feelings lol
I do, but the usual response here is a flat eyed stare! I have got some lovely big smiles back too though, so you just never know. In w1, I gave an oncoming runner the thumb's up, (was too out of breath for anything else), he looked a bit bewildered, stumbled but didn't actually trip up thank goodness.
I do, but find most other runners a bit rude! Perhaps I don't fully look the part yet!
I agree with your comments but, I still keep trying!
I think it depends on where you are running. Some people are just not ready to be nice to strangers. They can't make that small investment. I find it odd.
Don't let the antisocial behavior get to you. We're all with you. So when anyone coming at you ignores you, remember, you've got a pack of us invisible buddies right beside you.
I'm very much the newbie but I like to nod a hello, and always thank someone for letting me pass on the path, and I get lots of smiles not sure if it's sympathy! All in all its been pleasant so far,
I do whenever the runner/walker/cyclist looks vaguely in my direction. I live in Edinburgh but come from Aberdeenshire where everyone speaks to everyone. In Edinburgh there are a lot of people out and about walking, running and cycling on the tracks and paths as well as the streets. About half of all runners I meet make eye contact and will return my smile or hi with similar but not many initiate the contact. It's actually the same with walkers and cyclists - a fairly high proportion of people seem to prefer to avoid making any kind of contact at all but most will respond.
I find that true to -- they often don't initiate the contact but many do respond. I wonder what is different psychologically between us (the initiators or 1st to acknowledge others) and those that only reply or respond to an acknowledgement and those that won't acknowledge or respond at all.
I always acknowledge most individuals but the only ones who always acknowledge me are the cyclists and people waiting at bus stops; very rarelyother runners. I do go out quite early though.
I can't always say hello (because my priority is breathing!!) but I always always smile and nod. I always feel like the ones that blank me are judging me for being slow, but everyone starts somewhere!
And I also always say thank you to people who let me pass or move to the side. It is appreciated x
I like to a kwowledge other runners, unfortunately it's not always responded. But I will still doing it! 👍
I refuse to acknowledge there are other runners. There can be only one, and I am that runner.
Actually, I always cringe a little when this topic raises its smug head, and a lot more when reading the responses. So much self-righetousness. So much judgement of other people.
I usually acknowledge assersby when I am running. Depending on where I am and on the volume of foot traffic I do it while wlaking too. If I am walking on a country path or village street, more often than not; if I am on Oxford Street during rush hour, not so much.
However, I went out for a run earlier today to get some space to think through some quite distressing personal things that are happening at the moment. I was really quite deeply wrapped up in my thoughts and, whilst I am periherally aware that I passed people, I scarcely noticed them at the time, nor, if I had, would I have felt like interacting with them. Does that make me a rude person? Should I stay at home or only run routes where I will not encounter other people when I want to keep to myself? I suppose in the most literal definition of the word it is antisocial of me, but I really don't see there there is any obligation. If someone doesn't make eye contact as you approach, perhaps they are just in their own train of thought and would prefer not to be disturbed.
My first to.e having to pass someone while out running ( early weeks) was an elderly gent.. I was passing from behind and gasped..excuse me snail passing.. he curtley stepped aside.. I saw him yesterday while out again.. and he bowed his cap and said" more like a rabbit today love" lol made my day and hoped he meant as fast as a hare! Made me giggle
That is so cute!
i often see a lot of runners out and about adn they always say hello
I always say bonjour to everyone I pass. I'd say that I get a bonjour back 80% of the time, or possibly more often as I sometimes don't hear the reply with my earbuds in.
I said bonjour to a guy with a border collie and a wooly hat on two weeks running without realising until he mentioned it at work that it's someone I work with. I didnt recognise him with his hat and running cloths
I like to think there's a camararderie of runners but real life doesn't always bear it out. I always say Hi or Morning and "mostly" get a reply, but I'd say it's only about 60%. And some of those wouldn't have said anything if I hadn't said something first. Some people deliberately avoid eye contact and some, I fear, are just plain rude. I have been known to shout "Cheer up, ya miserable bugger" at the worst offenders. I guarantee that gets their attention.
always - just the same as ramblers always giving a cheerful "hello". Courtesy costs not a single penny x
I'm a jovial person, but I often find myself in "the zone" and if distracted can lose my composure.
I was running the Mo Run 10k last year and was about 7k in going well when my son shouted over and said hello, i obviously said hello and I'd see him soon, but then my mind got distracted and found myself blowing out my arse!
It's not personal, I just find it screws up my mental state and messes my run up.
I think it only manners to acknowledge other runners when out running.
I always nod or smile as other runners pass me. Most respond with at least a nod. I find dog walkers the most pleasant though as they usually have something to say as I plod past😊
I say 'hello'. And I always say 'thank you' if somebody has moved out of the way for me to run past. I just think it's good manners!
I will always make an effort to, at the very least, smile to fellow runners - and there seem to be a friendly lot down here - but I don't think any of them are obligated to reply. I don't smile/nod/say hello if no eye contact was made as that is really a universal sign that this person doesn't want to be disturbed and/or has their mind elsewhere.
I always make a point of it - whether walking or running - it's a challenge to see how many I can get to say Hi back. I'm not offended if they don't tho - each to their own. It was funny in Spain tho - as I said Hola ( my one of 2 Spanish words ) to everyone I passed on the prom, but reckon only about 2 peeps smiled or said it back - most just looked at me strangely - odd English woman panting along with a bright red face!! When Bill &I are together we see who can get the most responses - daft I know but it makes us smile
I personally don't say hello to anyone, I normally have my earphones in so I can't hear a thing but even if I didn't have them in I still wouldn't say hello. I'm not very good and generally don't like talking to people so I'd say that's why.
I do, however, when I make eye contact with runners (sometimes on purpose and sometimes by mistake) I will smile at them. Along with if someone has stopped to let me through I will say thank you, but apart from these situations I won't do anything.
From reading the comments I can't help but find it a little bit funny. People are saying how rude people are who don't say anything however in the same comment call people buggers (even though I know is not meant to be nasty, I still find it much ruder than people not saying hello!)
Just my two cents
When I get eye contact, always a smile, then a nod or a little wriggle of my fingers. This is for runners as well as walkers.
i don't always get an acknowledgment from runners but get it from walkers.
But then, there are times where I only come across one person in one hour. Maximum may be three.
Always! My hubby says that runners normally look really grumpy so we do our best to say hi to everyone and a quick wave to any car that passes by (and doesn't send us scrambling into the grass verge!). A bit mad but on one run, I pass a bench on a lovely hillside which has been put there in memory of 2 gentlemen - I say good morning/afternoon to them whenever I go past
Always acknowledge but it's unpredictable what response I'll get. Dog walkers seem to be a very friendly group (even though I am not a dog "person").
Always, and not only runners but anybody get "good evening" - although an out-of-breath one - a smile and a nod.
I was running today, as a tourist, along the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. Nearly every runner I met gave me a little wave, it was so cute
Always. No matter how knackered I am
Not only do I acknowledge other runners when I'm doing C25K, but also when I'm walking the dogs! I also make sure the dogs are moved out of the way to allow runners past. The most annoying thing is when they runner doesn't even nod an acknowledgement, let alone say thank you! No matter how out of breath you are you can still nod!
I usually do, and get varied responses. I'd say about half smile or nod back. I'm not offended if they don't...
I live in a large Canadian city. No one - dog walkers, walkers, runners cyclists say hello. If someone acknowledges me with a smile or nod I respond in kind. If I am somewhere else where people do speak such as a final let town I say hi.
I am a shy, somewhat anxious person. At the beginning I would nod or smile at other runners and got blank stares or people looked away. I now run in my zone.
As a morning runner, I *always* say a cheery "Morning!" to anyone I pass and of course thank anyone that makes way for me etc.
A kind greeting can sometimes change a person's whole day. So I always make an effort to do it no matter what kind of mood I am in.
I smile or say 'hi' to anyone I pass regardless of whether they're running or not.
Runners around here are a cheery lot and always great and encourage one another😊
Usually yes, at least a wee nod or a smile. On the standard route I run there's a chap walking his dog in the other direction that I'm running in & we often pass each other a few times at different points, I always acknowledge him, but he never does me, doesn't stop me though.
But tbh most of my runs involve alot of "morning", "hi", "hello" or at least a gasp as I wheeze by the dog walkers, families, cyclists & other runners that are out & about.
It's nice to be nice but I don't get upset if I get ignored. As Rig says, you don't know what's happening in other peoples lives........
Runners yes, cyclists no!
I tend to smile and try to acknowledge passers-by. I don't always get a response but it doesn't bother me at all. With runners, many are absorbed in their run, music and personal thoughts so I definitely don't take it personally! Sometimes I want to run without thinking about anything in my own private space so maybe I do ignore people too but not on purpose! When I run through the cemetary I always say hello to my good friend who is buried there... I know he can't hear me but if he could, it would give him a laugh to see me running, so just in case I always say hello......
