Smile or say hello!

[Chicky33]

I have been running haha since Boxing day, and I believe there are a few runners on this c25k. However please can we just smile or nod at each other. I know before anyone jumps down my throat we run past each other with great respect for social distancing but a nod or smile. Please read Spike Milligan Infectious smile. I always think of him.

[TytoAndy]

Yes I will always acknowledge a fellow runner out and about with mixed results but I will never give up on social niceties 😊

[Chicky33 Graduate in reply to TytoAndy]

Glad to hear it I hate being invisible its so rude.x we all just pretend we are listening to music! We need encouragement 👍

[itselenax Graduate]

I always feel terrible about this - when I run I'm listening to a podcast and in my own world, and I've realised a few times that I've accidentally ignored other runners who have waved at me! It is one of my resolutions to be more focused and friendly when running.

[Hidden]

I usually acknowledge most people when i pass them, its nothing to do with running, why acknowledge only runners.

I think saying hello on the way past is a nice thing to do.

[Chicky33 Graduate]

I say hello to EVERYONE I pass. it's polite and a long-forgotten pastime. I lived in France for a long time and it's basically law you must speak. it differs for everyone nut there is no price on a smile(That's all I am saying not just for runners!)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I think it is a predominantly urban thing to blank strangers. Here in the sticks we say hello and smile at everybody, whether running or not.

[HeavyFoot Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Same here in the sticks. I also acknowledge drivers who pass me safely.

[Hidden]

I nod and mumble a hello to everybody I pass while running, other runners or walkers with their dogs and such. At first a lot of people looked oddly at me with a slightly disgruntled face. But I think more and more people are getting used to it, because nowadays I get more hello's and nods back from passersby. Though not a much from other runners. I have to say most other runners I pass seem too focused on their run...

[Chicky33 Graduate]

Christ I need a distraction from it...!😆

[Hidden]

A beautifully apt post Chicky33 and regarding Sir Spike one word "legend"

Worked alongside his daughter briefly kinda 👍

Poem by Spike

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

I always say hello when I meet another runner but it’s a good job they haven’t got a rear view mirror if they ignore me coz they just get the bird 🖕🏻 🤣🤣

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

A woman on a mission Bev 🖕🙊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Haha..yes...I also don’t like rude people , it’s not hard to be nice ☹️ and can often make someone’s day 😊

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Priceless and perfect and don't the grumps realize it's taking less energy to smile 👍🙃🙂☺️😊

Monkey smiling

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes...& apparently, smiling whilst running improves efficiency so who’s the loser?!! 🥳 xx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

What a gorgeous pic ❤️

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

Im a northerner and we basically speak to anyone anyway 🤣 sit near somebody on a bus? Life story coming! In line at a bank? Yeah we're gonna be friends by the time we get to the front 🤣

I've noticed the further south you go the less friendly the people become, I tried to talk to somebody on a bus in London once and they looked at me like a should have been in a home for the criminally insane 🤣 must be a northern thing!

Back on subject, yes I always try to give a friendly good morning to all the runners and people that I pass and always go with a thumbs up and a smile to fellow runners, as a sign of encouragement and realising they normally have there earphones on and won't usually hear if I'm just saying good morning 🤣

[nowster Graduate]

I say "good morning" or similar to everyone I pass. If the runner has earphones on, a thumbs-up sign.

I usually get a response from families out walking, dog walkers and joggers. The serious looking runners are often in a world of their own.

If someone has made space on a narrow path, a very definite "thank you".

If you wear a smile on the outside, it often brings a smile inside.

[Rennur Graduate]

In South London, if you talk to a stranger in the street you can get reported for ABH. Seriously, runners are just people; some are rude, some are friendly and then some are self conscious or just too shy to say boo to a goose. I will keep smiling !

[Pugwash Graduate]

Like others here, I always wave or say "hi" and, importantly, "thank you" to those who make room for me to pass (I run partly on a canal towpath - popular with dog walkers). Also like others, I get mixed results from my actions, but I have the mindset that a friendly response is a bonus and remind myself that A)I don't know what kind of day they're having and B)I don't know if other runners/cyclists have been less thoughtful and sown seeds of irritation.Fellow runners nearly always acknowledge me although intense looking male runners of a certain age are often "too busy" for such fripperies 😀🏴‍☠️.

[roseabi]

I like to smile at everyone I see when I'm out running, it's a sort of hobby of mine 😊😊😊

[Chicky33 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

mine too roseabi. A smile is infectious let's spread that.x😁

[Fitzy110]

I always say hello, or at least nod and smile (if I’m running uphill!), although I do now ignore one person I see regularly. He never acknowledges my existence and despite social distancing I’m sure he would knock me over if I didn’t move.