To wave, or not to wave?

The Rook

I was thinking about this recently, and the latest RW magazine had an article about it so I thought it might be interesting to gauge general opinion.

When you're running and meet someone running in the opposite direction do you give a little nod, wave or acknowledgement?

Being relatively new to the running scene again after a 2 year break, I have to say that I really like the whole "band of brothers & sisters" thing of an acknowledgement of some sort. It kind of makes me feel like there's someone else out there who understands what I'm feeling in the last mile or so of my run on a hot Saturday morning!! Yesterday I got a wave from a passing cyclist, and it motivated me to push a little harder ...

So ...do you wave or do you not?!!

Woddle

I nearly always give a nod except when I'm in pain or pushing hard, can be a bit annoying when your doing laps though and your nodding at the same person 2 or 3 times

cfitz

I often give a half hearted wave when I pass someone that in reality is probably invisible to everyone else! But I think you should wave or say hello to pretty much everyone you pass - whether they're walking, running or just standing around. Make the world a happier place!

menoscemo

always nod

figs

I usually give some kind of wave or nod of acknowledgement... at least the first time you pass someone. If I were to wave when passing people multiple times on a short circuit would just make me look like a stalker!

I think most runners appreciate the acknowledgement. The "once a fortnight" jogger/runner with their earphones in usually just stare straight by.

Odysseus

Always give some form of acknowledgement, I do my long runs on country roads so I acknowledge drivers who move out into the middle of the road for me. That can become a pain in the hole when I'm out for a time.

TheRoadRunner

The Rook wrote: »

When you're running and meet someone running in the opposite direction do you give a little nod, wave or acknowledgement?

I was actually thinking about this morning on my run. I always nod or give a little wave. The majority of runners do neither and it kind of bugs me !

Fast_Mover

I usually run on country runs so if I pass another runner and make eye contact with them then I'd give slight smile/hi..

jlang

Usually a wave or nod, sometimes with a muffled grunt or "Hiya". "Nice day for it" particularly if it's during a downpour. I can't wink properly but a flick of the head as if I was winking sometimes ends up happening.

emerald007

I'd normally give a runner a quick salute with the hand, but i've rarely ever got a reply. Last week i out wearing my frank duffy white t-shirt when i came across a lady wearing the same t-shirt, i gave a salute and was expecting a reply, since there was a bit more significance to it (we're both runners, we both did the same race) but got nothing.

Sub430

I'd always say hi, nod, wink (where appropriate) - sometimes you get a response, sometimes not. I ran in the States this summer and all runners wave at each other/smile from across the road, just runners though, cyclists ignore you (maybe they only acknowledge each other).

Running Bing

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I was actually thinking about this morning on my run. I always nod or give a little wave. The majority of runners do neither and it kind of bugs me !

Yeah I used to give a nod when I started but I found most runners just keep the head down and dont even notice so I dont really bother now.

I do feel a bit of a miserable ****e when I go by a runner without acknowledging them but most runners dont seem bothered so fair enough.:D

plodder

I find it varies depending on the place I run. Some places nobody seems to acknowledge you, so I don't bother either unless someone else does. Other places, I seem to meet the same people regularly, and we'd always wave or nod to each other.

Darac

What do you do if they are going in the same direction and roughly the same speed. Do you slow down and chat or speed up and shoot by?

Stupid_Private

Darac wrote: »

What do you do if they are going in the same direction and roughly the same speed. Do you slow down and chat or speed up and shoot by?

It very rarely happens - for some reason everyone seems to go the opposite direction to me. I have had a chat with randomers going the same way as me before, but more often than not people are wearing headphones so that makes a conversation out of the question.

BeepBeep67

I always wave or try and make eye contact - have to say it frustrates me when someone blanks me - but only for the length of time it takes to mutter an obsenity under my breath .

shels4ever

I've run with some many people that have been going the same direction and usually Nod to others .

Krusty_Clown

Always, always, always, always wave... Hell, I even wave to the cars when I'm on smaller roads so they keep on pulling out for runners. The friendliness is what makes this country a great place to live. When you stop acknowledging your fellow runner, don't expect them to come to your aid when you pull that muscle, trip, or get ill. Just be selective during races.

shels4ever

Maybe there should be an secret boards wave and a reply that we use when running . Could get some strange looks fom non boards runners

Blazer

shels4ever wrote: »

Maybe there should be an secret boards wave and a reply that we use when running . Could get some strange looks fom non boards runners

How about the finger?

shels4ever

Sc@recrow wrote: »

How about the finger?

ah yes I can just see the reaction i'd get in my loal park running nad giving the finger to everyone..

figs

What about when you're passing a slower runner or group of runners? Is a wave or a quick "hiya" appropriate?

Yesterday I passed a group of guys heading down Dollymount, said "hi" with a wave (sideways as I went past!) and practically got into a conversation. Today passed two guys in the Park and got nothing? Maybe in these cases the finger might be appropriate!!

Lemon

It is weird because I mentioned how friendly other runners seemed in the Phoenix Park this morning on my training log before even seeing this thread...

Anyway I always acknowledge other runners with either a 'hi' 'good morning' or a smile or wave depending on how puffed I am! I think it makes the run more enjoyable and makes you feel part of a gang....Often you are more likely to get a smile or a wave when the weather is awful too!

mdlb

always give a nod or say well done or something...(that is if i am able to speak!!!!) most times i get a nod in return but some people dont seem to notice...
always gives me a bit of a perk up!

Condo131

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

I always wave or try and make eye contact - have to say it frustrates me when someone blanks me - but only for the length of time it takes to mutter an obsenity under my breath .

Same here.

Also say "Hi!" to anyone I pass, or if doing speedwork (off track) just grunt a distorted "Hi". I couldn't give a fiddlers how fast or slow they are, always acknowledge, except for 'serial blankers.'

I reckon beginners especially need to be acknowledged - we were all there once - otherwise they may feel that we're all a bunch of elitist prats (instead of just a few;))

osnola ibax

Yeah, I see runners as kind of kindred spirits now, even when I'm in the car I always spot runner and think to myself, fair play to ya. So when i'm passing a runner I will always wave and usually get a wave back. Passed on guy one time, he was wearing his man u jersey and I was wearing a Liverpool jersey, both of us kissed our crests as we passed each other, then gave each other a wry smile, fairly funny

Killerz

I'm losing faith to be honest - used to always make an effort to wave/ nod/ say hi, but i would say I only get responses from 1 in 4. Is it the area that I run in (Northside Dublin, mostly coastal and howth)? Maybe it depends on the demographical makeup of the area!

On the flipside, it never ceases to amaze me how many comments/ shouts i get from smokers outside pubs/ bookies (as I run past, not as I venture inside) .... probably not real encouragement :rolleyes:, but its as if theyve never seen anyone in shorts before.

Krusty_Clown

Killerz wrote: »

I'm losing faith to be honest...but i would say I only get responses from 1 in 4

Don't do it Killerz. Don't become one of the 3/4 that don't wave back.

messed_up

I can understand Killerz' frustration. Maybe its a Northside thing but I always try and give some form of acknowledgement to a passing runner but would get a response back less than half the time. That said, I think 'runners' are more likely to acknowlege you than 'exercisers' and that male runners are more likely to signal back than female runners. Sorry ladies buts its true - but I'm sure that doesnt apply to lady boardsies!

lightening

Killerz wrote: »

used to always make an effort to wave/ nod/ say hi, but i would say I only get responses from 1 in 4. Is it the area that I run in (Northside Dublin, mostly coastal and howth)?

I run along the coast too. I usually get a nod or wave back from douche bags like me, I find the more "seriously dressed" the runner the less likely you will get a wave. Maybe it's just that there are so many on that stretch.

eliwallach

Yeah, I've been thinking about this recently too.

1. Always nod.:)

2. Nod and hello most of the time.:)

3. Nod, hello and a remark when there is something out of the ordinary (eg when it's spilling rain you might say "hi" then followed by "nice day for it!".:P

4. NB - always a little wave of thanks to the kind motorists who both slow down and pull in on the country roads.:cool:

Killerz, as regards these latchicos outside the pub having the fag:
I've been shouted at/commented upon by this lot (who are usually half-in half-out the door) and I've come to this conclusion: They're actually shouting at themselves.

But overall people are nice.

TFBubendorfer

I don't come across a lot of people in the early hours on my remote Kerry roads. On the few occasions I pass someone I ensure to give at least an audible "good morning" and a wave.

Most people reply in kind. Every now and then the odd one ignores me. In that case I file them into the "Dublin tourist" category.

W.B. Yeats

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I was actually thinking about this morning on my run. I always nod or give a little wave. The majority of runners do neither and it kind of bugs me !

Was just thinking the same on Saturday, I always acknowledge runners and most of them ignore you completely refusing to make eye contact as though you were some sort of beggar,
Maybe its just a Dublin thing

Krusty_Clown

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I don't come across a lot of people in the early hours on my remote Kerry roads. On the few occasions I pass someone I ensure to give at least an audible "good morning" and a wave.

Most people reply in kind. Every now and then the odd one ignores me. In that case I file them into the "Dublin tourist" category.

You mean 'tourist in Dublin', right? But I thought you did all of your running in Kerry?
Next time you're in Dublin, I'll be sure to give you a hug.

</end sweeping generalizations>

Woddle

I met a woman in the chipper on a Sunday a few weeks back, I went over and said hello as I had also saw her that morning while running in marlay park with figs and ecoli. I then saw the same lady in marlay again yesterday and got a big hello, then a few hours later I was back in the park with my kids and there she was still running :eek:
Having talked to her in the chipper I found out it was her son who had the fastest leg 3 time of the Wicklow way relay a whole 5 mins ahead of me. Nice to meet you Mary. My wife thinks I'm a freak though and should leave people alone but I'm a talker

starn

I always wave, or nod and give a beep as Im driving along.

shels4ever

Woddle wrote: »

I met a woman in the chipper on a Sunday a few weeks back, I went over and said hello as I had also saw her that morning while running in marlay park with figs and ecoli. I then saw the same lady in marlay again yesterday and got a big hello, then a few hours later I was back in the park with my kids and there she was still running :eek:
Having talked to her in the chipper I found out it was her son who had the fastest leg 3 time of the Wicklow way relay a whole 5 mins ahead of me. Nice to meet you Mary. My wife thinks I'm a freak though and should leave people alone but I'm a talker

two runners in the chipper wow....

littlebug

Most of my runs are on a quiet country lane so I don't meet many people. There are very occasional tractors/ cars and we both have to move out of each others way so there's always a nod/ smile and acknowledgement. I get the occasional "Good girl don't run too fast" from the ould fellas leaning on a gate somewhere along the way. I've only once met another runner who I greeted with smile and "hi" and was completely ignored.

Next time I'll give him an even bigger "hello" and wider smile.... intimidate him into being friendly... always works

asimonov

littlebug wrote: »

Most of my runs are on a quiet country lane so I don't meet many people. There are very occasional tractors/ cars and we both have to move out of each others way so there's always a nod/ smile and acknowledgement. I get the occasional "Good girl don't run too fast" from the ould fellas leaning on a gate somewhere along the way. I've only once met another runner who I greeted with smile and "hi" and was completely ignored.

Next time I'll give him an even bigger "hello" and wider smile.... intimidate him into being friendly... always works

i'm the same, running on quiet country roads / lanes, most people ( in cars or out) are friendly and return your wave or greeting.

I am struggling with how best to approach and pass walkers from behind without giving them a total coronary (esp. if they've earphones) at the moment i'm using the old fake cough as a warning..

eliwallach

asimonov wrote: »

I am struggling with how best to approach and pass walkers from behind without giving them a total coronary (esp. if they've earphones) at the moment i'm using the old fake cough as a warning..

The old Fake Cough Trick .
I use it to devastating effect myself.

Although I nearly had a coronary myself when wearing earphones and doing slow boring laps, a runner doing substantially quicker laps came up behind and passed me. When I first glimpsed his shadow on my shoulder I near jumped out of my skin .
Oh how he laughed .

MrCreosote

I'd always wave/nod/say hello, get a response about half the time.
Only exception is when I'm overtaking another runner- I used to say hello, but thought that sounded superior, then said nothing and thought that was snobby, so now I crack out the old phlegmy cough as well...

Woddle

shels4ever wrote: »

two runners in the chipper wow....

That was how I introduced myself but she had a better excuse, she was only coming back from Tullamore with her kids who had been competing, my excuse is that I'm a fat fcuk

TFBubendorfer

asimonov wrote: »

I am struggling with how best to approach and pass walkers from behind without giving them a total coronary (esp. if they've earphones) at the moment i'm using the old fake cough as a warning..

Ye olde fake cough trick I not going to work if the roadkill is wearing headphones ...

scaryfairy

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

Was just thinking the same on Saturday, I always acknowledge runners and most of them ignore you completely refusing to make eye contact as though you were some sort of beggar,
Maybe its just a Dublin thing

im afraid it's not just a Dublin thing... get the same reaction when I go out for a run in Cork, on a busy path by the estuary. tried quite hard the first few months then gave up, feeling kinda silly... :mad: still trying to make eye contact when I see an opportunity. asked another runner, Dubliner and he said that's normal... the annoying thing is when they kind of check you out then look away when it would the moment of saying hello/nodding/wawing/whatever...

ultraman1

asimonov wrote: »

I am struggling with how best to approach and pass walkers

give them a good slap on the arse and say runner commin throoo:D

Killerz

Good news - got a few "hows it goings" on my run home from work today, which of course i responded to.

Eliwallach - bang on with the latchicos
Krusty, messed_up and lightening - Thanks for the encouragement, my faith will remain strong.

xebec

I got a few more nods and hellos today too... And actually got stopped by one very pretty foreign woman looking for directions - she was lost in Phoenix Park and had been running around for ages (how lost can you get there?!) - was nice to her though and didn't try to chat her up.

eliwallach

xebec wrote: »

- was nice to her though and didn't try to chat her up.

You should have!
As she was obviously just pretending to be lost in the Phoenix Park :rolleyes:.

aero2k

Like many posters above, I try to acknowledge everyone I encounter on my runs - walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs...unless my physical condition rules it out (once had a van driver pull in obviously looking for directions as I crested a very steep hill that I'd sprinted up - I didn't know where I was at the time!). I run in the Phoenix Park and find that most people respond, though as someone remarked females are definitely less friendly than males. Other threads on boards.ie suggest there may be good reasons for this....
I also try to say something like "nice day" even if it's raining, it helps with the mood.
Ok, off out to help lost foreign women do some tempo intervals.

--amadeus--

Running yesterday by the river and passed a guy who looked like he hadn't been running long (carrying a fair bit of weight, shiny new trainers, cotton T). I went past and said something like "hiya, how's it going?"

"Not very well!" was the mournful reply, cracked me up! Passed him again on teh way back and he'd cheered up a bit by then

osnola ibax

Passed a fella this morning in the lashing rain, waved....... Nothing..... Crushed