To think you don't ask a runner for directions

[Nocabbageinmyeye]

I find this so annoying, out running this morning and a car stops to ask me directions, it's not the first time it's happened, I'm not the only one around, why would you stop the person clearly out for a run instead of someone clearly out for a leisurely stroll or go into the local shop. I stopped this morning as I was only into the second km but last time I was almost home after a 10km and the colour of a tomato so just said "ah come off it"as I kept running. Why would you do that, aibu to think it's rude? It's annoying anyway I know I'm not unreasonable in saying that

[RealityCheque]

[DelphiniumBlue]

Is there something special about runners that means they can't help a lost stranger? Why shouldn't they ask you? I'm not a runner but don't get why you would be so rude to a stranger asking for help.

[RandomDent]

Bet they wouldn't ask if you were a man.

[Nocabbageinmyeye]

Thanks for my first ever biscuit pretty sure they are usually given out for better reasons that this but hey ho

[RandomDent]

It's actually really annoying, especially if you're a bit crap like me and have a woman in your ear telling you when to run and stop, and you have run neatly 10 mins without stopping for the first time ever, then your rhythm gets wrecked by someone talking to you!


And breathe...

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

I'm sure we've had this thread before.

I was perplexed by it last time too.

[AprilShowers16]

Maybe people ask runners because they're more obviously local and presumably know the area they're runnin around?

They usually have headphones in though so I wouldn't think to ask them

[Mirandawest]

A runner is likely to know where they are I suppose. I would be annoyed though as when I'm running I need to focus on it and stopping to give directions would make me likely to be more flustered when trying to help than I normally do.

[Nocabbageinmyeye]

No nothing special and if I was the only one around then fair enough, I did help this morning but if there was a choice between someone exercising or not, listening to music or not, then I would choose the non exercising non listening to music person rather than breaking that persons stride and have them pant in the window at me

[RunningLulu]

That annoys me a lot. As I'm brown I can get away with pretending to not speak English lol.

Personally I think it's rude. 90 per cent of runners do it with time/distance in mind, and so any and all delays soon add up. Nobody would stop a cyclist who's single mindedly focussed on their biking, so why stop a runner?

[Brandnewiggi]

I would never stop a runner for directions! Someone out walking is hardly trying to get a personal best, or near the end of achieving a certain distance, or struggling gamely through couch to 5k. I wouldn't want to stop someone walking quickly either, if they look busy I'd choose someone else. Not sure going up to cars is generally a good idea anyway. And female runners do seem to get a lot of street abuse.

[HuckfromScandal]

Oh get over yourself
I'm a runner
People presume you have a better knowledge of the area.
Fgs, takes 2 mins
Be nice.

[Chikara]

But what is the difference between someone running, rushing to get home, walking the dog, coming home from work??

Your OP is based on the assumption that everyone else who is out and about is doing something far less important than what you are doing.

Helping a stranger, (unless you are in danger or feel that you might be) is just something we all do for each other.

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

I would tend to think a runner would know where they're going, what's where etc more than someone just pootling along to the shops.

Can easily see how that perception might be wrong, but the askers are making a split second decision.

[LotisBlue]

I think yabu. Anyone out 'for a leisurely stroll' could actually be in a hurry, late for a drs appointment etc. All you had to do was say 'sorry I'm in a hurry ' or words to that effect.

[RitchyBestingFace]

YANBU but you will get a zillion responses saying you are. Being busy and otherwise occupied in public to the disadvantage of a disorganised random
stranger is a sin doncha know?

[Crunchymum]

On a not too dissimilar note I was at a water park the other day (very busy!!) and was rocking the toddler to sleep in the pram when I was approached by a couple who wanted me to take their picture. I also had an older toddler milling around darting in and out of water so found it odd they asked me. Not least as I was sat next to a friend with a sleeping child???

[yougottheshining]

I tend to think that if you're running then you've got a bit more time on your hands than someone who is for eg going to work. And refusing to give directions is just plain rude.

[lacktoastandtolerance]

Nobody would stop a cyclist who's single mindedly focussed on their biking, so why stop a runner?

I've been flagged down on my bike and asked for directions, and had no problem giving them to the quite stressed, lost person who worked out where to go.

I also run and wouldn't have a problem with being stopped.

It's just helping to make another person's life a little bit easier. Even if you are aiming for a specific time on your run it doesn't really matter in the slightest.

I'd rather be nice to someone than tick a box in a running app and share it on Facebook even though nobody cares.

[PrimalLass]

Wow - you are precious. So you'd rather people stay lost?

[HuckfromScandal]

Wow,
I'm just amazed by the self absorption of people.
Really - just in what was does it disadvantage your day?? In the huge grand scheme of things?

We can no longer ask a stranger to take a pic, or ask for directions. Jeezo - I really flipping hate this country sometimes.

[yougottheshining]

It's not really comparable to talk about cyclists either - they're on the road.

[allegretto]

I think it's acceptable if they run to keep up with you while asking.

[Nocabbageinmyeye]

Of course I wouldn't rather someone was lost, I helped today did I not? I also said it there is nobody else about then that's different too but I still when there are people walking, local shops and generally other people around that to stop the person running with headphones is rude and imo the weird choice out of all the options available

[LemonScentedStickyBat]

I wouldn't stop a runner unless absolutely necessary. It's not very fair to mess with their timings really (am most definitely not a runner myself).