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c00per

Joined
May 13, 2007
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Is it me, or are people on the trail super nice unless you are on a short trail, or in a city park?

Granted I have never been out east, but everywhere I have hiked for more then a mile in the western states (north and south) if I met somebody along the trail or in the wilderness, they at least said a friendly "hello" or "how are you doing?"

Whenever I go on a short walk for a mile or so in a city park, or a short walk in a state park, everybody treats me like I have leprosy or something. They intentionally do not give eye contact and walk as far around me as I can! What gives?

I can understand runners not acknowledging me and possibly certain people who appear to come from the middle east who may be abit self conscious (worried about racism), but just about nobody even says "hi" when I go for a short breath of fresh air at the local marina/dog park.

Is it just a case of city folk being paranoid of everybody around them?
 
I am from the country and I generally avoid people on the trail. I am out there for solitude as it is. If you address me, I will be poilte, but that's it.
 
I smile and say "hi" to everybody...being in a hostile country for some time, you appreciate even the rude Americans:); of course if I say "hi" more than likely I have my hand on my .45:D Bottom line: I'm out there to enjoy the wilderness not people (unless with my family)...we've become such a rude society that it's pretty sad but that will never dissuad me from heading out to the trail.

ROCK6
 
Nope, it is not just you. Most of the serious backpackers that I meet on the trail are very friendly and outgoing folks. Normally the rude bums won't hike more than a mile back in to the woods. In my experience, different parts of the world give different results, too. I think we in North America often give the impression of being suspicious rather than cautious. Signs of the times, I guess. :)
 
I am pretty friendly on the trail unless given a reason not to be. Learning to interact with people is an important survival skill in my oppinion. ie If you get hurt and the only person in an ear shot of you is the guy you just blew off, he might get a case of selective hearing and your calls for help may not show up on his radar.

Just some food for thought.
 
I am normally out on the trail to get away from people too, but often you still meet people, a friendly hello is always nice.
Sometimes I go outside just to get some fresh air and stretch my legs, then I wont travel far. I am not in a very rural area at the moment so there is usually a ton of people, and more often then not seem very suspicious of me. I'm glad its not just me :).

It doesn't dissuade me, I just appreciate politeness when I'm outside, and when you see somebody intentionally not making eye contact just so they don't have to say hello...well thats plain rude. Wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt, I hardly think I'm threatening either.

Good point Tony M:thumbup: I try to make eye contact with anybody I pass so I can say a friendly hello, but I am usually ignored in the smaller parks or during shorter walks.
 
c00per said:
I try to make eye contact with anybody I pass so I can say a friendly hello, but I am usually ignored in the smaller parks or during shorter walks.
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Thats strange, your not carrying a big Khukri on your hip are you?

Or do you have a 3rd eye, not that there's anything wrong w/ that, people may just get confused as to which one to look into and turn away out of frustration.:D
 
I, like Rock6, feel that it's easy to talk to people when you're pretty sure you have them outgunned. ;)

Typically the people I run into are friendly. Just the other day we were out climbing and ran into another group of climbers. We chatted for a minute and went our seperate ways. I've got no problem talking to others, but usually don't spend more than a couple of minutes before hitting the trail again.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
... and pretend I'm not staring at their girl friends. :o

Doc
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That's insulting. What, are their girlfriends ugly? :grumpy:

:p

I can understand people in a city park just walked off the city streets and want nothing more than to be alone with the natural surroundings.

We have a municipal park around a lake here in suburban New Jersey and I rarely meet someone on the trail without us stopping to talk, even if we've never met before.

But in New York City parks, if you stop to talk to everyone you meet, you'll never get anywhere! :)
 
tonym said:
Thats strange, your not carrying a big Khukri on your hip are you?
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300_160963.gif

I dunno man, here is a recent picture of me do you think I look threatening?:D

DOC-CANADA said:
I always smile and say hi, and pretend I'm not staring at their girl friends.
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One time I passed a guy when I was on a short walk with my girlfriend, I swear that her breasts had put him in some sort of trance :p

Esav Benyamin said:
But in New York City parks, if you stop to talk to everyone you meet, you'll never get anywhere!
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I can understand that!
 
no you are not alone. People in the city are always watching there backs. I just came back from me evening walk. A girl walk toward me so i said howdy with a smile(she was sexy too) but her reaction is typical she just walked trying not to make eye contect. I do think its more fear then anything else. But i were told by my sister that i got a wierd walk that looks like a lumbaring(sp) bear.

Sasha
 
I find when you get out there away from the trail heads, you join an elite crowd.

I have often hiked along with some others for a bit talking before moving our separate ways.
 
I try to at least say 'hello' to everyone I pass. It doesn't require a lot of effort, its polite, and it gives me an excuse to look them in the eye. You can get a lot of info that way. Most of the people will say hi back, and those that don't well, that is their problem, not mine, and again, good info to have.

Now if I'm in the backcountry and not a more urban trail and I'm looking for solitude; if I see you first I might just hide off trail till you pass. :eek::)
 
I live in WV and most of the people I meet everywhere are friendly.

Ironically most of the people I meet backpacking on the trail are from DC or MD or Northern Va and they are almost to a person super nice also:thumbup:
 
I have never had a problem. I am very easy going and make an effort to wave, nod or even chat with folks enjoying the outdoors.
 
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