In the last few months, I've been on the west coast, the mountain states, the midwest, etc. I've gone for many runs in all these locations and in general it's common for runners (or even bikers and walkers) to acknowledge you, either nod, smile, say hi, etc.
At the very minimum people nod, but it's not uncommon for a smile, a wave, etc. The only exception is places that are very crowded but I don't run in those places very often.
Anyway, here I am in Boston. I go for a run along the Charles and do my usual nod/smile, etc. at the runners that go by (or even walkers/bikers). There actually aren't that many people running out on the Charles so you don't pass people with that much frequency. But.. almost NO ONE gives any sign of acknowledgement, no nod, nothing.
The only person who said anything ("good morning") turned out to be a Californian who was just visiting Boston.
What gives? This is so weird. I thought it was like the runner's creed to give some acknowledgement (except in really crowded places, but like I said, I rarely run in those types of places and the Charles River is not crowded at all). Somehow Boston seems to have missed the memo.
P.S. They don't lie about Boston drivers...
What the hell is wrong with Boston? One of the only places I've been where no one acknowledges you on a run...
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Why does anyone have to say anything when running. They are out to run not to say hi to everyone they see
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You must be from Boston.
I mean it's not a requirement but it's a nice gesture, one of those "runner's creed" things. It's just so odd/unusual that this is one of the few places where I've seen no one do it. -
Welcome to the Northeast.
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So people are obligated to greet you simply because they are currently engaged in the same activity as you? I mean, if someone nods to me, I'll nod back, but I don't really see why anyone should feel compelled to acknowledge you.
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Nope, never even been to Boston.
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not from Boston wrote:
So people are obligated to greet you simply because they are currently engaged in the same activity as you? I mean, if someone nods to me, I'll nod back, but I don't really see why anyone should feel compelled to acknowledge you.
He didn't say 'obligated' chump. He said it is customary for people passing each other while running/biking/walking to give a smile or nod or wave........it's about being friendly and acknowledging the other humans around you.
And no, you won't get much of that from bostonians. -
Boston is filled with democrat pieces of trash.
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New England - snobbiest most unfriendly area of the USA
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boston - don't live there wrote:
not from Boston wrote:
So people are obligated to greet you simply because they are currently engaged in the same activity as you? I mean, if someone nods to me, I'll nod back, but I don't really see why anyone should feel compelled to acknowledge you.
He didn't say 'obligated' chump. He said it is customary for people passing each other while running/biking/walking to give a smile or nod or wave........it's about being friendly and acknowledging the other humans around you.
And no, you won't get much of that from bostonians.
I like how the guy talking about friendliness is the only person throwing around insults. -
At least we aren't fake nice. We aren't Minnesota nice or over-familiar like Californians. Who goes around greeting strangers anyways? What compels you to do this? It's a little weird, I think. Do you just need affirmation from people you have never seen before, and will never see again?
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The Boston accent is like nails to a chalk board. Instant sign of low class too
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Jdndndnd wrote:
The Boston accent is like nails to a chalk board. Instant sign of low class too
Correct! -
Ndssssss wrote:
Who goes around greeting strangers anyways?
The world would be a much better place with fewer people like you. -
trhhrtrt wrote:
Ndssssss wrote:
Who goes around greeting strangers anyways?
The world would be a much better place with fewer people like you.
Go back to your love-in, hippie. -
We're not used to this continuing onslaught of heat, so it's pretty miserable. Plus, we're not friendly in public to begin with.
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Most of the year, I'd say I share about 50% acknowledgement rate with other runners. During the summer, the rate increases to roughly 75%. Do the math.
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kthdkghdigdld wrote:I thought it was like the runner's creed to give some acknowledgement (except in really crowded places, but like I said, I rarely run in those types of places and the Charles River is not crowded at all). Somehow Boston seems to have missed the memo.
What's the runner's creed?
Also, I saw the memo. I just think it's a bit silly. If I see you smile or nod at me, I'll return, but I'm not expecting random people to smile at me, so I might not notice.
Why does it upset some people to not get acknowledged by a random passerby? -
Ndssssss wrote:
trhhrtrt wrote:
Ndssssss wrote:
Who goes around greeting strangers anyways?
The world would be a much better place with fewer people like you.
Go back to your love-in, hippie.
I am not hippy. And I know you are a dick. But that's fine. Plenty of you around. -
I've lived in Boston for 33 years. When it comes to common courtesy you'll find in people who grew up elsewhere and moved here. The rest of the citizenry usually has a stick up their ass for reasons I cannot fathom.
Ndssssss wrote:
Who goes around greeting strangers anyways?
