I just got back form my usual prowl up (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0043.jpg)Bardon hill, It was a warm day so I took my 5 year old with me. (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0052.jpg)It was still a bit bleak up there but (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0066.jpg)it was still a good walk and the child loved it.


It was warm enough for her to have a picnic up there and she was so comfortable that she was (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0099.jpg)able to lord it over the poor pheasants who were passing and it occurred to me that everyone we meet on a walk says `Hello` and stops for a chat.

Try saying hello to a stranger in the city and youll be scrabbling on the ground looking for your teeth or dragged up an alley to be relieved of your wallet but once youre away from the town, and among the wilds, people are more.... relaxed, in spite of the fact they just climbed a bloody great hill.

What is it about walkers that makes them so gregarious? Isnt it a pity that we cant all be this friendly all the time?

I just got back form my usual prowl up (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0043.jpg)Bardon hill, It was a warm day so I took my 5 year old with me. (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0052.jpg)It was still a bit bleak up there but (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0066.jpg)it was still a good walk and the child loved it.


It was warm enough for her to have a picnic up there and she was so comfortable that she was (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/SANY0099.jpg)able to lord it over the poor pheasants who were passing and it occurred to me that everyone we meet on a walk says `Hello` and stops for a chat.

Try saying hello to a stranger in the city and youll be scrabbling on the ground looking for your teeth or dragged up an alley to be relieved of your wallet but once youre away from the town, and among the wilds, people are more.... relaxed, in spite of the fact they just climbed a bloody great hill.

What is it about walkers that makes them so gregarious? Isnt it a pity that we cant all be this friendly all the time?

Yes, Ive often pondered on this point myself. Just been a walk up the Rivelin Valley and everyone said " Good Afternoon" and smiled.Once down in London, I asked a stranger for directions to somewhere, they stared in horror, and fled,as though I were going to mug them. !! :suspect:

I've noticed this myself - mind you, I do often say Hello to strangers at bus stops, etc. and as of yet am still in one piece.

Mind you, I am careful who I talk to in my choice of strangers. :)

When I was in the Yukon and Alaska if you came across anyone parked by teh roadside it was the norm to pull over and ask if they were OK - very civilised.

EDIT - Pattricia, that's so true about London. When I've been down there I've foudn that any strangers I did strike up a conversation with weren't Londoners, and were usually northerners - probably as perplexed and as lost as I was. :)

I've noticed this myself - mind you, I do often say Hello to strangers at bus stops, etc. and as of yet am still in one piece.

Mind you, I am careful who I talk to in my choice of strangers. :)

When I was in the Yukon and Alaska if you came across anyone parked by teh roadside it was the norm to pull over and ask if they were OK - very civilised.

EDIT - Pattricia, that's so true about London. When I've been down there I've foudn that any strangers I did strike up a conversation with weren't Londoners, and were usually northerners - probably as perplexed and as lost as I was. :)

Joe, Ive always spoken to strangers at bus stops, and I know I shouldnt , but its so boring waiting for a bus and I do like chatting. I may get abducted one day & raped ( hopefully) and then you'll see my case on Crimewatch .!!! :lol::lol::lol:

Yes, Ive often pondered on this point myself. Just been a walk up the Rivelin Valley and everyone said " Good Afternoon" and smiled.Once down in London, I asked a stranger for directions to somewhere, they stared in horror, and fled,as though I were going to mug them. !! :suspect:

It was me that you stopped in London. I'd read about your reputation!!

Funny little coincidence about bus stops; on Friday evening I was waiting for a bus after a trip to a Chinese takeaway. I started chatting to a lady at the stop, continued chatting on the bus, and carried on after she got off at the same stop.

She was actually visiting my next door neighbour! Most odd!

If you're surprised about walkers saying hello, just wait until you're out with a dog! It's really rare for someone out walking their dog not to talk to you when you're out with your own. It's one of the most social things I can think of (which is one reason why I replaced going to the gym with taking the dog out).

If you're surprised about walkers saying hello, just wait until you're out with a dog! It's really rare for someone out walking their dog not to talk to you when you're out with your own. It's one of the most social things I can think of (which is one reason why I replaced going to the gym with taking the dog out).

I was once walking an a place called Warren hills thats not far form here, and a very posh lady with an Afghan hound approached me and said in a very fruity voice "Do you not have a doggy?"
I said No and she looked at me as if I had just told her that I disembowelled dogs as a hobby!
She hasnt talked to me since.

I was once walking an a place called Warren hills thats not far form here, and a very posh lady with an Afghan hound approached me and said in a very fruity voice "Do you not have a doggy?"
I said No and she looked at me as if I had just told her that I disembowelled dogs as a hobby!
She hasnt talked to me since.

After my Spaniel died when I was out walking, it was obvious to me that a lot of woman thought I was trying to pick them up when I said ' Hello Love '.
When I got another dog, All went back to square one.
So ownership of a dog is recommended to those who like to have a natter with anyone.

It was me that you stopped in London. I'd read about your reputation!!

You still owe me money for our little encounter Albert !! :lol::lol:

A swift experiment. (http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/Doppler1/?action=view&current=ba9.flv)

Every week on our Group Walks we all say hi, hello or something similiar to people we come across, and almost without exception we get a greeting back. Often the people we pass speak first too, and this friendliness gives you a feeling of having a common bond. This is especially so on our Sheffield walks, but occasionally in parts of the Peak District I have experienced some people almost looking down their noses at us. I think this is a class thing, but I might be wrong.
Now while I was in Cornwall last summer it was a completely different matter. People avoided eye contact, and often looked amazed when we said hello if we did catch their eye. I don't think they were unfriendly, just not used to our over-friendliness if anything.

You still owe me money for our little encounter Albert !! :lol::lol:

I'm not going to say my bit. Someone may report me!!