“I’m behind you” is the two word phrase they want you to use?
Now, this is something I call out when approaching people riding horses from behind. Have to do it early and with the right tone, as not to startle them.
I just run on my way and don't say a word. If they aren't wearing headphones and it's not dark out and we are on a somewhat lonely path I'll either cough and/or do a shuffle step to make noise with my feet. Otherwise I just run by and don't give it a second thought.
I run on an isolated wooded bike path that gets a cross section of users -- speed demons on bikes, earbud-wearing walkers, slower runners that I overtake, oblivious people walking or running two abreast across the path, friendly and cooperative people, etc. I ALWAYS utter, in a non-threatening voice, "Runner approaching" or "Coming by" far enough back, where those without earbuds can hear me. 99% of them move over, even sometimes off of the path, until I've run past. I usually say something self-depricating, as well, to keep the moment friendly and light.
Occasionally I'll get a non-cooperative person, or someone who's either lost in the ozone or who can't hear me over the blaring noise of his or her Ipod or other device. I have yelled (friendly voice) up to three times, as I approach someone who isn't responding. Sometimes there is eventually a reasonable reaction. If I see that the person doesn't have any ear obstructions and still doesn't respond, only then do I sort of change the tone of my voice to show my displeasure. Maybe the next runner or biker or walker will then benefit.
I run tangents, which means that sometimes I must run on the left, where the bikers, walkers, and runners approaching tend to be found. This means that I am responsible for getting out of the way, if necessary. VERY simple.
If someone on a bike whizzes on past, without warning, I speak up and request a little noise the next time. I've been lucky not to have independently moved over and collided, not knowing the biker is approaching. Once, in Boston, I did collide with a bike, without injury to either of us, but I don't care for it to happen a second time.
Keeping things friendly can make a difference for future runs, and that includes my interactions with people out walking their dogs on leashes. If I'm perceived as a mean-spirited or arrogant runner one day, the next day the same person might purposely be a pest, but to keep it as friendly as possible generally works -- especially if a dog is involved.
And I would much rather recognize a familiar face and respond with a "Hi" than with a curse.
Clearly you have no idea what living as a woman is like. We are literally harassed and assaulted by men throughout our entire lives.
I alert anyone, male or female, headphones or not, when I am about to pass them from behind. It's just common courtesy and prevents a possible collision if the person suddenly steps in front of me. Think about a time a cyclist has blown by you running without giving a warning.
I understand what you are saying about women being targets of dangerous men, but we are talking about actual runners with no intent of hurting anyone. A real predator is not going to alert you. If anything, they'll try to trick you to make you feel at ease and lower your guard.
When I'm on a bike passing people, I do say "on your left", because a bike rider is traveling faster and approaches quieter than a runner, for whom you'd hear their foot falls some time before they pass.
The guy in the OP's story is talking about passing people on a canal trail. When I'm running a trails like that, if there is room to pass, I simply pass. If they are in my way, I say "excuse me" and pass when they clear space. If there's already space, there's no need to say anything. I simply pass. I've never seen anyone get scared when in do. It's just not necessary to make running in a park more complicated than the simple process it is. Courtesy and etiquette is important, but shouting out at every women I pass is weird and completely unnecessary.
Yes! I remember that from high school days in the 80s. Do people still say that?
I typically pass without saying anything if I’ve got a clear way through and apologize if they yelp. But what annoys me is when people walking in one direction on a narrow path spread out making it impossible to pass. For that, I call out out “beep beep!” It’s so dorky, even if it’s a lone woman, the mild humor usually defuses any tension or fear, and we can all go on with our outdoor enjoyment.
I run in Nike tempos, you can hear them from 400 meters away...click clack click clack...if she don't hear that it means she has head phones in, and I don't need to say jack...yo
Clearly you have no idea what living as a woman is like. We are literally harassed and assaulted by men throughout our entire lives.
I alert anyone, male or female, headphones or not, when I am about to pass them from behind. It's just common courtesy and prevents a possible collision if the person suddenly steps in front of me. Think about a time a cyclist has blown by you running without giving a warning.
Abundantly clear! This thread maybe more than any other, really captures the mentality of the guys who post on here. Pathetic.
I routinely startle women on the path I run on. Nearly 100% of the time it is during daylight hours and there aren't many places on the path where you are not within sight of another runner/walker/cyclist. Most of the time, the problem is headphones. It seems like almost every woman (and man) under the age 40 is wearing headphones so it wouldn't make any difference if I gave a verbal warning. I run past people who seem to be talking to themselves and then I realize that they have one of those cellphone ear pieces in and are talking on the phone. If other people get startled when I pass I don't care because it is usually their fault for being so out of touch with their surroundings.
And when you pass them they gasp with fear. They are in a world of their own and completely oblivious to the fact that they aren't the only ones using the path.
Yes. Yes. So much YES.
I yell from a distance "Coming UP!" Then I repeat it. Then I pass them. Then they jump and look at me like I'm in the wrong, while their earphones blare away.
It is so frustrating to see so many people do so little to protect themselves by being aware of their surroundings.
If they hear me and jump to the side, I always say "Thank you, just didn't want to scare you... have a great day/evening..."
I will announce "on your left" when passing anyone. Man, woman, group. It seems curious and keeps them from being startled and maybe jumping into me.
My experience has been the opposite. When people hear "on your left," they think that means they should move to their left...and directly into you.
Really, though, it doesn't matter what you say. Everyone's either wearing headphones or staring at a cell phone and are totally oblivious to their surroundings. I just go way, way, way around people.