Trail Etiquette

[sillysally]

Most people on our bike path are very friendly. I always try to be friendly too. I'm not a super outgoing person, but I enjoy being friendly in a passerby kind of way.

Also, when I am walking in a park alone I consider it kind of a security measure. It's a way for me to say, "Yes, I see you there and am looking right at you." I feel that totally ignoring people can make you look oblivious to your surroundings, and that's not an impression I want to give when I'm alone. It's just a precaution-if I truly felt unsafe walking or biking in an area, I would just avoid it.

 

[AmandaNola]

Eye contact, nod and smile. Hi if they say it first.

 

[AllieMackie]

We have a major bike path system running throughout the city, which I frequently use, and used with Rosey. In general, people smile, and at least say hi. Frequently, they'll say hi, comment on the weather, and wish you a good day (or comment on pet, if you have it with you)

Yeah this. Ottawa pathway folks are friendly, I love it. Even on my bike folks tend to say "hi" as we whoosh by one another.

 

[Paviche]

Eye contact, nod and smile. Hi if they say it first.

This is my routine, too.

 

[Romy]

I must live in la-la land or something, because around here people always smile really big, say hi, and usually make small conversation. If they've seen wildlife nearby they'll usually let you know where to look. "Hey there are turtles sunning themselves over there," or "There's a mom duck with babies swimming around the bridge," or "there's about 5 harbor seals that way attacking salmon."

And if they have kids we usually both end up chatting about kids while our kids chase each other around for a bit.

Also with magical narnian llama creatures I don't really feel scared of people trying to hurt me or my kids on hikes. I'm way more scared of being targeted by criminals while walking around town vs. out in the woods.

 

[yv0nne]

I live in Cape Breton. It is in our genetics to be polite, friendly and helpful. I would say 9/10 if I meet anyone while hiking, we walk together for a little bit and have a full conversation! It is genuinely really nice to be around so many friendly people

 

[joce]

Depends. In general I like to think I'm a good people reader. If they look unapproachable or have the leave me alone look I ignore there presence. Usually I at least smile. A lot of Places I walk I would be scared to see someone else. Byron had saved me during a very scarey encounter years ago.

No when we ride horses seems I have to yell at everyone. Don't run AT the horse! Please move and don't stand like a statue you look scary, Always nice to say this one ,usually people just don't know Please do not hit my horse with your skis. Don't kick balls at my horse. Seriously. And the good old leash your dogs my horse will kick them. Usually polite if anyone walking wants to pet them. Once a jogger was going by kinda close when there was a lot of room so my cousin yells out "Remember that time she picked up that jogger by her teeth and threw him?" Guy jumped over ten feet. I died of embarrassment. But she does look
All arch neck crazy when people go by so . . .

 

[teacuptiger]

Wave, say hi, smile. I nervously hold a conversation if the other person starts one, because I am shy, but want to try to act normal. If its a dog walker with loose dogs and they don't call them back, I glare at them. Super-dislike-glare if it takes the owner five minutes or longer to collect their dog, especially if its during the posted time frame that dogs must be leashed.

Overall I try to be friendly. If I see wildlife, I will point others in that direction. If a dog walkers got leashed dogs, I will be even more polite/compliment etc.

 

[Linds]

I must live in la-la land or something, because around here people always smile really big, say hi, and usually make small conversation. If they've seen wildlife nearby they'll usually let you know where to look. "Hey there are turtles sunning themselves over there," or "There's a mom duck with babies swimming around the bridge," or "there's about 5 harbor seals that way attacking salmon."

And if they have kids we usually both end up chatting about kids while our kids chase each other around for a bit.

Also with magical narnian llama creatures I don't really feel scared of people trying to hurt me or my kids on hikes. I'm way more scared of being targeted by criminals while walking around town vs. out in the woods.

:rofl1: Just what I was thinking!

Well, most people don't say hi (that's why I made this thread because I seriously don't get the amount of people I pass that put WORK into avoiding looking at you) but about the being afraid of someone trying to hurt me. Never has crossed my mind!

Though, now I'm going to be passing people and thinking "Hmm, wonder if you're a serial killer..."

But on a serious note, I don't know if it's from working retail at a family pharmacy for so many years but I've become so I can pretty much start a conversation with anyone and always try to make eye contact and at least smile when I pass people. But I do know my sister tries to do the avoid looking at anyone.

 

[Elrohwen]

Depends. On a hiking trail, there are typically few people and pretty much everybody makes eye contact and says hi.

My typical walk is on a paved walking trail which gets very busy during the summer, so most people ignore each other. During the winter when you might see one or two other people max, there's more likely to be eye contact and greeting. Some people I see most days of the week, most of the year, so I tend to nod or say hi to them and ignore people I don't recognize.

I'm not really interested in saying hi to every single person, so I don't seek out contact most of the time. If they are clearly looking at the dog and smiling I'll usually make eye contact and smile.

I ride a road bike (or did, before the dog took up my time) and other road bikers pretty much always waved. Casual bikers out with their families or something almost never did.

 

[Romy]

The only trails that are really dangerous around here are the ones in greenbelts in towns. Those typically have a high population of homeless people, and depending on the local homeless community that can be a good or bad thing.

Guys that want to target lone women typically haunt greenbelt trails around universities (like the UW) or any of the urban jogging paths in Pierce or King County that go through the greenbelts.

Going all the way out to the "real" woods is too much work for most criminals. It might help that you have to buy a yearly pass to access DNR land and the state parks.

Before the MJ laws passed it could be extremely dangerous to come across a grow operation in the woods, but the people putting those up don't put them anywhere a casual hiker could accidentally stumble across them.

 

[sparks19]

I try to read people and go from there. I'm a people person so I'm always smiling and making eye contact lol but I am also awkward so I'll usually wait to see if they are going to say hi first or if they look like they are up to receiving a "hello". Some people look away, some people just smile or wave and some people will say "Hi, How are you?" and I'll respond with something stupid like "Hi, yeah you too" DOH LOL

BUT... it seems no matter where I go, I always attract the person that wants to talk and make friends. It's generally older people and especially elderly people (not that you see a lot of elderly people out hiking but in the grocery store it happens all the time). Sometimes I just think "man, I need to get going and don't want to be stuck in this conversation" LOL but I'm used to it and know it's just my gift lol I have one of those faces that says "talk to me, tell me what's on your mind" :rofl1:

 

[Zhucca]

Eye contact and smile. Say hello if they don't say it first. I've changed pretty drastically over the years and am now more recently apt to start up a conversation with a stranger than I was before. I don't like living life in fear, and I figure if someone is going to hurt me it's going to happen whether I'm polite or not.

You never know when you could make a new friend/acquaintance. My favourite thing is networking.

 

[stardogs]

Usually a silent, mouth only smile if I'm passing on a trail. Trail time is totally for me and the dogs to enjoy so I don't try to make friends unless I'm on a group hike.

If, like today, the person lets one of their dogs run up on mine, I pay attention to my dogs and either ignore them completely, or shoot a dirty look and mutter about controlling your dogs...

 

[RBark]

If it's a girl that looks single, and interesting.. eye contact, smile, and a "Hi!" waiting for a comment on my puppy so I can find an excuse to talk to her.

Everyone else, my perfectly practiced "IM DEAF I NO UNDERSTAND SPEECH WITH LIPS AND RUMBLY THROAT STUFFS PLEASE DONT MAKE EYE CONTACT OR SPEAK TO ME" state.

 

[Grab]

Usually just a smile and pass on by. I'll make small talk if they start conversation though. I'm not really a people person though, so it's generally awkward

 

[Paige]

I have a very friendly face apparently or give off a talk to me vibe because people always chat with me. One of us will say hi and often I will have small talk if our dogs get along or something and my kids aren't losing their minds.

 

[AussieAshley]

Eh, if Im out for a hike it is typically because I am sick of people and need a break. So I pretty well ignore most people. If they smile, nod, or say hi I return the gesture, but I sure as heck am not going to go out of my way to initiate contact. The exception being if they have a dog, then a smile and and maybe a quick chat if we are passing each other.

 

[elegy]

I usually make eye contact and say hi unless I get creepy vibes. I don't ever hike without a person or a dog. I do run on the rails to trails without a dog sometimes, but they are very popular and well-traveled so I feel pretty safe there.

It freaks out my boyfriend that I hike "by myself" but honestly, it isn't something I get worried about. Once in a blue moon I'll get creeped out, but generally I worry a lot more about slithering deathsnakes biting my dog than I do about people.

 

[Romy]

I usually make eye contact and say hi unless I get creepy vibes. I don't ever hike without a person or a dog. I do run on the rails to trails without a dog sometimes, but they are very popular and well-traveled so I feel pretty safe there.

It freaks out my boyfriend that I hike "by myself" but honestly, it isn't something I get worried about. Once in a blue moon I'll get creeped out, but generally I worry a lot more about slithering deathsnakes biting my dog than I do about people.

Slithering Deathsnakes would be a rad name for a band.