Running etiquette: When should you say 'Hi" to another runner?

If I know them then I say hi or if they say hi first I'll say it back. Otherwise perhaps a friendly wave if i see them they look at me. I'll only glance at them for a split second, dont want to be rude. May look back at it like a Boogie wit da Hoodie if she's real fine.

I'm from a smallish city in Montana and most people say hi on the street anyway when you pass by. I grew up here and didn't realize it wasn't a normal thing until I left for college and came to a very rude awakening.'

I usually give a little head tilt or wave to other runners and people walking/running in the opposite direction. Rarely ever get one in return unless I'm back home in which case I always do!

Always got to give a friendly wave or a head nod

Great topic. My experience has been that the guys always wave/nod and girls don't even make eye contact. Would love to know the psychology behind that ?

Also I remember reading in Runners World that you shouldn't wave to girls or say that they have a great pace as it's harassment.

I saw "yo dawg" and tip my hat as I fly past.

I acknowledge all pedestrians and & most reply. The middle aged woman walking little dogs are unfriendly.

i wear a flat cap running, specifically so i can doff it with a cheery 'pip pip' whenever i meet people.

rojo wrote:

and then be sunny again before bedtime.

You mean, it would be sunny at night?

It never hurts to say hi, wave, or smile at someone passing by. I add "good job" to anyone riding or running.

My perspective is that everyone is going through something, and that smile or word of encouragement might be a bright spot for their day. You never know. If they don't acknowledge, it's not on you. ~90% acknowledge me.

Of course, it's more of a wave when I'm hammering through a workout! Haha!

When out on my runs I like to try to say hi to everyone that's running or even walking. There are some that don't give any eye contact so I just say Hi a little louder lol.

Only ever if the other runner is significantly faster than you.

I'd usually give some sort of acknowledgement, be it a head nod or casual wave - although sometimes it does depend how tired I am.

And as mentioned above, guys / men are much more likely to respond or acknowledge than girls / women.

I say hi and give a wave to most other runners and walkers. If it's a busy area I may not.

I remember once I was out running a trail in the middle of nowhere and came across another runner, the only other person I'd seen all day. Gave him a wave and said hello, half expecting to stop for a quick chat about routes and the like. He didn't even acknowledge me and kept his eyes down. Very strange

I try to make a quick determination on whether on not they have run sub 14 for 5k, make $100k/yr and have a hot wife. If I don’t think they meet those requirements, I don’t acknowledge them

Not sure why you would ever not acknowledge another runner as you pass. Hand wave, "hi", or "Good Job" if they look like they are a beginner type runner. If it is a narrow path and we cross close to each other and the person looks friendly, I may even give a high five, which always gets a laugh or smile.

briswiss wrote:

I try to make a quick determination on whether on not they have run sub 14 for 5k, make $100k/yr and have a hot wife. If I don’t think they meet those requirements, I don’t acknowledge them

What if they are a female?

In my experience, the less populated a trail or a road, the more likely someone is (and I am) to say hello. Most of the time I keep my head down when I'm passing someone as it is not common to say hello to people running down the sidewalks here in the Midwest. But I will almost always say hello (and 70% of the time get a response back) if I'm running on a more rural trail or running at 6 AM or 8 PM. It's really only the old white guys that never say anything in response.

Hi has happened to me twice. Actually once the other person said also my name. I ran towards the sun and therefore didn't see who that person was. The other time I was thinking something else or concentrating on running and when someone said hi, I kind of couldn't figure out whether I knew the person or not. It happened too quickly. In my country people often don't say anything even when they know the other person. So honestly it's not a big deal. You see the same people every time at gym for ten years and never say a word. Saying something just complicates things. It's much easier to concentrate on your training when you don't have to think about talking.