The pace of walking, Or are people really slowing down Options

[lordtup]

Having just returned from the weekly jaunt to the supermarket , is it me or are people walking slower than they used to ?

I know it's not the highlight of the week so one would have thought the quicker the exit the better , but oh no the great unwashed seem to take great delight in ambling from side to side down the aisles and making a day of it . Constricting the access of others seems part of the pleasure .

Now before you accuse me of being young in body as well as mind I will admit to having a bus pass so I am not as quick as I used to be but heck these people are half my age and move at a pace even the proverbial snail would look on in disdain .

Is this a health issue , ie not fit for purpose , or is it more to do with their lethargic outlook on life in general ? If it is the former then the country has a problem , if it is the latter then boy we really do have a problem .

[GMR]

Having just returned from the weekly jaunt to the supermarket , is it me or are people walking slower than they used to ?

I know it's not the highlight of the week so one would have thought the quicker the exit the better , but oh no the great unwashed seem to take great delight in ambling from side to side down the aisles and making a day of it . Constricting the access of others seems part of the pleasure .

Now before you accuse me of being young in body as well as mind I will admit to having a bus pass so I am not as quick as I used to be but heck these people are half my age and move at a pace even the proverbial snail would look on in disdain .

Is this a health issue , ie not fit for purpose , or is it more to do with their lethargic outlook on life in general ? If it is the former then the country has a problem , if it is the latter then boy we really do have a problem .

It seems people are more lethargic than they used to be. At one time people had a spring about them, they observed what was around them. I don’t know if it is because of the economic climate or there is an air of ‘can’t be bothered’ but I know what you mean.

On another note; when I go for walks I usually say ‘hello’ to people coming from the opposite direction. Some are polite and return the compliment but others just look at you as if you’ve just abused them.

[lordtup]

It seems people are more lethargic than they used to be. At one time people had a spring about them, they observed what was around them. I don’t know if it is because of the economic climate or there is an air of ‘can’t be bothered’ but I know what you mean.

On another note; when I go for walks I usually say ‘hello’ to people coming from the opposite direction. Some are polite and return the compliment but others just look at you as if you’ve just abused them.

When I first moved into Newbury town from the surrounding countryside I was so used to speaking to the odd rambler or courting couple that crossed my path ,as they were the only people I saw , that I addressed everyone myself and my dog met with a cheery hello .
We got some distinctly odd looks from some but generally our greeting was reciprocated . Now one has to weigh up the pros and cons . If they have a young family then I maybe construed as a pedophile , if it is a young lady my intentions could be equally nefarious and everyone else views me as a Jehovah's witness touting for custom.

"There is nowt as odd as folk" goes the adage , but at times it does make me wonder.

[GMR]

When I first moved into Newbury town from the surrounding countryside I was so used to speaking to the odd rambler or courting couple that crossed my path ,as they were the only people I saw , that I addressed everyone myself and my dog met with a cheery hello .
We got some distinctly odd looks from some but generally our greeting was reciprocated . Now one has to weigh up the pros and cons . If they have a young family then I maybe construed as a pedophile , if it is a young lady my intentions could be equally nefarious and everyone else views me as a Jehovah's witness touting for custom.

"There is nowt as odd as folk" goes the adage , but at times it does make me wonder.

I know exactly what you mean. When I take my dog for a walk young kids come up to me and stroke the dog and say hello. When you are on your own and say hello to young kids they are very wary of you. Years ago it wouldn’t have been a problem.

[JeffG]

I think it's related to numbers. Walking in the countryside you would naturally say hello to anyone you passed.

But if you said hello to everyone you passed in the supermarket, they would soon be sending for the men in white coats.

Perhaps people have different thresholds, and one person's cheery encounter is another persons white-coat job.

[GMR]

I think it's related to numbers. Walking in the countryside you would naturally say hello to anyone you passed.

But if you said hello to everyone you passed in the supermarket, they would soon be sending for the men in white coats.

Perhaps people have different thresholds, and one person's cheery encounter is another persons white-coat job.

Maybe people are not brought up that way anymore. I was always brought up to be polite and cheerful and I taught my kids to do the same.

[lordtup]

No wish to criticise but we going off topic a bit . Though I am sure there is some correlation between obesity and politeness .

If , as I suggested , people are getting slower in their physical actions then it's safe to assume that they are also slowing mentally . Now this has far reaching consequences for all as it would appear that we are losing that primeval urge that has been our driving force for so long .

So for the benefit of mankind may I suggest that the next time you see a slouch meandering down the pavement in front of you , you give him , or her , a sharp prod with your stick with the excuse that our very existence depends on it .

My case comes up next month............

[regor]

Perhaps I might deviate from the topic slightly and ask another question relating to the protocols of walking and strangers.

Assume it is evening, dusk or a little later. I am walking home on a quiet road when I come across a person of the female persuasion walking in the same direction but at a slower pace than mine.

Do I -
1. Continue to close on her with the intention of passing (She may be alarmed as get nearer)
2. Hang back - (Equally suspicious behaviour)
3. Cross to the opposite pavement and once having passed her return to the original pavement - (Might she view that as suspicious?).

I have asked this question several times in various groups/situations and never received a definitive answer. Perhaps there isn't one.

[Strafin]

I went to Sainsburys this morning and Asda yesterday, on both occaisions I commented to my wife about how people seem to not care about being in the way. I had several people who I was passing just start walking without looking up, and several families walking 3 abreast down an aisle with people trying to get round either side of them. I think the general decline in politeness throughout our society includes being totally unaware of anything going on around you.

[Strafin]

As for the pavement crossing question, I generally slow down and hope the girl goes in a different direction, if I could cross the road this would be choice 2, if not then I would be noisy on my approach and step into the road in plenty of time to go round her, leaving a wide berth.

[On the edge]

Its simply another sign of the continued breakdown of manners in this Country. Keep an eye open, far more people these days are not aware of anyone else at all. Same category as the cloggers up of doorways, walk in the middle of narrow paths etc. etc. The Yanks used to joke that the British thought they were being polite, because they said sorry if they bumped into someone on the pavement....wouldn't have needed to if they'd been a bit more polite and managed to walk passed without bumping in the first place!

[lordtup]

Perhaps I might deviate from the topic slightly and ask another question relating to the protocols of walking and strangers.

Assume it is evening, dusk or a little later. I am walking home on a quiet road when I come across a person of the female persuasion walking in the same direction but at a slower pace than mine.

Do I -
1. Continue to close on her with the intention of passing (She may be alarmed as get nearer)
2. Hang back - (Equally suspicious behaviour)
3. Cross to the opposite pavement and once having passed her return to the original pavement - (Might she view that as suspicious?).

I have asked this question several times in various groups/situations and never received a definitive answer. Perhaps there isn't one.

This one perplexes us all especially in a confined area , with limited scope to vary one's position . In this instance I tend to whistle ( something cheerful and upbeat as opposed to Wagner ) .
I would very much welcome input from the female element of this forum , after all it is they that our concerns are directed at

[JeffG]

Schoolkids are the worst. They will congregate on the pavement for a chat and expect everyone to walk in the road to pass them.

Or else walk straight at you three abreast without moving aside.

[Chesapeake]

Perhaps I might deviate from the topic slightly and ask another question relating to the protocols of walking and strangers.

Assume it is evening, dusk or a little later. I am walking home on a quiet road when I come across a person of the female persuasion walking in the same direction but at a slower pace than mine.

Do I -
1. Continue to close on her with the intention of passing (She may be alarmed as get nearer)
2. Hang back - (Equally suspicious behaviour)
3. Cross to the opposite pavement and once having passed her return to the original pavement - (Might she view that as suspicious?).

I have asked this question several times in various groups/situations and never received a definitive answer. Perhaps there isn't one.

As for the pavement crossing question, I generally slow down and hope the girl goes in a different direction, if I could cross the road this would be choice 2, if not then I would be noisy on my approach and step into the road in plenty of time to go round her, leaving a wide berth.

This one perplexes us all especially in a confined area , with limited scope to vary one's position . In this instance I tend to whistle ( something cheerful and upbeat as opposed to Wagner ) .
I would very much welcome input from the female element of this forum , after all it is they that our concerns are directed at

Good evening gentlemen,

I am pleased that you are aware of how upsetting and frightening this particular situation can be for a female.

I would kindly ask that you never do number 1. My reasoning behind this is if the female involved is aware of you and uncomfortable with you walking behind her, closing your space in order to overtake her will continually heighten her fear as you get closer, reaching a pitch as you overtake her. This could result in the female either screaming, shouting, setting off her rape alarm (if she is sensible enough tocarry one) or hitting out at you as you try to pass. Upsetting for everyone I am sure you will agree.

I would also kindly ask that you do not do suggestion number 2 or make loud noises such as whistling (any kind of tune) or otherwise. My reasoning behind this is that if you make loud noises behind the female in question you will continually make her aware that you are behind her and this could make her even more scared. Also if you hang back and continue to walk along her route (either intentionally or not) she will be even more scared than if you tried to overtake her. She will probably be scared to walk to her home (thus making you aware of where she lives) or even if she does continue to her home, as you are walking behind her she might convince herself, in her fear, that you ARE in fact a "stalker" and she will never know any different. This could cause her fear and paranoia for a long time.

I would suggest from my point of view that a version of number 3 (depending on the geography) would be the best approach to take.

Hope this helps? x

[On the edge]

I can't disagree with anything Chesapeake says, but isn't it dreadful that we now live in a society where we have to take such things seriously. Says an awful lot about how our culture has deteriorated.

[Berkshirelad]

I would suggest taking option 1.

If the female is concerned as to your presence, the she can take option 3. It only then it should worry her if you follow across the road.

[user23]

Assaulting someone or accusing them of attempted rape (by setting off an alarm) for merely passing one in the street would seem to something of an over-reaction. I would suggest anyone who thinks this way should stay inside after dark, cowering behind the sofa at all the ills of the world being reported on Sky News.

If anyone did this to me I would report them to the Police.

I can't disagree with anything Chesapeake says, but isn't it dreadful that we now live in a society where we have to take such things seriously. Says an awful lot about how our culture has deteriorated.

We don't it's just people's perceptions have changed, largely due to the media.

If the female is concerned as to your presence, the she can take option 3. It only then it should worry her if you follow across the road.

That's a far more sensible suggestion.

[dannyboy]

The woman take the initiative & either

cross the road, stop, turn back the way she's come.

[dannyboy]

Having just returned from the weekly jaunt to the supermarket , is it me or are people walking slower than they used to ?

I know it's not the highlight of the week so one would have thought the quicker the exit the better , but oh no the great unwashed seem to take great delight in ambling from side to side down the aisles and making a day of it . Constricting the access of others seems part of the pleasure .

Now before you accuse me of being young in body as well as mind I will admit to having a bus pass so I am not as quick as I used to be but heck these people are half my age and move at a pace even the proverbial snail would look on in disdain .

Is this a health issue , ie not fit for purpose , or is it more to do with their lethargic outlook on life in general ? If it is the former then the country has a problem , if it is the latter then boy we really do have a problem .

I would guess that the reason for this is the supermarket penchant for moving things around in the store.

being a pensioner you'll only be needing a basket of odds & sods ( embrocation, tin of salmon for the cat ), whereas the 'unwashed' will be needing a trolley full. Sainsbury in particular like to move the staples around 3 times a month, meaning that it can take rather longer than you'd like to do a shop for two adults & three kids.
Complain to the shop, not the shoppers.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

Having just returned from the weekly jaunt to the supermarket , is it me or are people walking slower than they used to ?

I know it's not the highlight of the week so one would have thought the quicker the exit the better , but oh no the great unwashed seem to take great delight in ambling from side to side down the aisles and making a day of it . Constricting the access of others seems part of the pleasure .

Now before you accuse me of being young in body as well as mind I will admit to having a bus pass so I am not as quick as I used to be but heck these people are half my age and move at a pace even the proverbial snail would look on in disdain .

Is this a health issue , ie not fit for purpose , or is it more to do with their lethargic outlook on life in general ? If it is the former then the country has a problem , if it is the latter then boy we really do have a problem .

I think you will find this is down to the fact that we have copious amounts of FLBS in this country. (Fat, Lazy, Ba...)