A slight departure from running today with a bit of a rant…although it is loosely linked to running I suppose.

I have a pet hate when I run and it’s rude people. I’m sure that what I’m about to say will divide opinion, but when I’m out for a run I like to make the effort to say hello to others. After all, we all have something in common – we have ventured outdoors at the same time, sharing the same views, breathing the same fresh air and investing in our minds and bodies. I feel like that’s enough to at least exchange a nod, a smile, an hello.

Unfortunately though, all too often I am faced with a stoney ignorance. I always make a point of greeting those I run past, keeping it casual of course, a breezy ‘hello’ as opposed to an intense, ‘I want to be your friend forever and get to know all your family’ kind of gesture. On occasions it’s reciprocated with a broad smile, an appreciation of a friendly face, whilst others return the gesture, but more reluctantly as if to say ‘well, as you’re saying hello, I’ll say hello back, but I want it on record, I don’t want to’. Others still, simply keep their gaze fixed on the ground, 2 feet ahead of them as if they are trying to carve out a path on an uncut road with their eyes alone. Each to their own, of course, and I suppose you never know what people are grappling with when they are out for a walk or a run.

There is one profile of person that really gets on my nerves though. It’s the type of person that stares me down as I approach, looking intently with a blank face that the best poker player wouldn’t be able to read, only for me to say hello and they ignore me, either looking away or holding their stare without acknowledgement. Why?! Why would you do that?! It’s just weird. In fact, it’s rude! At least those who stare at the ground are clear about what they want. I know where I stand with those people, but the people who stare at me really press my buttons.

I generally run on the roadside and at other times I run along a footpath through a municiple golf course. I find I get a better hit rate when I’m on a footpath rather than the roadside. There’s almost an unwritten rule that on a footpath, exchanging a greeting is acceptable, especially amongst runners, but on the road even other runners become rude. I often see runners on the road who take what they are doing far too seriously, eyebrows pointing inward, cheeks sucked in, brow furrowed in a display of intent you wouldn’t find in Olympic athletes. It’s obviously far beneath these ‘proper runners’ to say hello to those who share their hobby.

On the flip side, on my regular route, I often see cheery, happy people who greet me first, wide smiles, friendly faces and a chirpy tone. I still remember my run from New Years Day this year when I passed a family only for the father to wish me a very sincere ‘Happy New Year’. It was a lovely experience that didn’t cost him anything at all, but it put a spring in my step, lifted my pace a little and stayed with me for the rest of the day. Yesterday a young lady walking a dog greeted me like a long lost friend like she was genuinely delighted to see me and it had the same effect.

I feel that after the last few years, unable to share times with loved ones as much as we would have liked, isolating and restricting social activities, uncertainty and difficulties spread far and wide, it’s important we all make an effort with each other, whether we know them or not. It’s nice to be nice. It costs nothing and it has positive effects on the recipient far beyond you’ll ever know.