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Quiet Walking

112 replies

ChellyT · 08/12/2023 01:50

FFS please don't pounce on me being out of touch or whatever BUT I recently heard of this 'new trend' of quiet walking without headphones in, without listening to music, without listening to a podcasts or audio book or chatting on the phone just walking... And here I go 'Back in my day it was called going for a walk'

OP posts:
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novhange · 11/12/2023 02:12

I don’t see an issue with it. As someone who is quite addicted to devices, I’ve been consciously trying to walk to work in the mornings without listening to music or an audiobook.

I didn’t know there was a word for it but I think if it helps people to put their phone away for a while then that can only be a good thing.

GarlicMaybeNot · 11/12/2023 01:52

abominablesnowman · 11/12/2023 01:09

Unless I've specifically to a quiet area, the place I can walk are full of noisy cars so I'd rather have something to drown it out. Sometimes I don't even have anything playing. Time to get some noise cancelling headphones I think

I've recently got some and find it frightening with the ANC on. They block background hum right out - so, no traffic sounds. Meaning no awareness of vehicles speeding up behind you, no second sense when crossing the road safely, and a strange feeling of 'not being quite here': disassociation, I guess.

Admittedly, I do enjoy being amongst all the people doing people things but I also think it's a genuine safety concern.

abominablesnowman · 11/12/2023 01:09

Unless I've specifically to a quiet area, the place I can walk are full of noisy cars so I'd rather have something to drown it out. Sometimes I don't even have anything playing. Time to get some noise cancelling headphones I think

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 11/12/2023 00:01

Rubyupbeat · 10/12/2023 08:34

That's nuts! Never heard of such a thing. I do it all the time and love either the hustle and bustle sounds, or even more so, country sounds, the thought of filling my head with other noise is something I would never do whilst out walking.

I'm the same, I like to be able to hear what is going on around me, and I rely on my hearing when there is traffic around.

Digestivechocolatebiscuit · 10/12/2023 19:42

Lol... whatever next...it's called going for a walk.. l like the peace and quiet and done it for 50 plus years without phone/ headphones etc. It's like wild swimming.. l used to camp a lot with my ex husband... ( bikers and wild camping) our bath was a lake ( or loch if in Scotland) or a river or the sea.. all over the UK and Europe.. or just for a swim.. it's nothing new..

Rubyupbeat · 10/12/2023 08:34

That's nuts! Never heard of such a thing. I do it all the time and love either the hustle and bustle sounds, or even more so, country sounds, the thought of filling my head with other noise is something I would never do whilst out walking.

Direstraightsagain · 10/12/2023 08:19

It was called walking but now it’s uncommon. Most people listen to podcasts, music etc so I get it. Having a phrase for walking without headphones could be a thing.
pretty much everywhere I go I listen to podcasts and everyone I pass has headphones in so even your message made me pause for thought - and I will give it a go 🤣 . So there’s something in it!

Mum2three63 · 10/12/2023 08:16

I walk with my dog, I've tried ear buds and music but find myself constantly popping one out to talk to my dog...no she doesn't reply so not sure why I do this lol....I find it so annoying I've ditched the buds and just walk, don't think I quiet walk though because I talk to my dog lol

ChellyT · 09/12/2023 01:59

Skyisbluegrassisgreen · 08/12/2023 10:19

I totally agree - I heard another one recently - babies having a ‘contact nap’ ffs when mine were babies it was just having a nap, now it has to have an official name, like holding your baby when they sleep has just been invented….

Edited

😂😂😂 exactly

OP posts:
Gowlett · 09/12/2023 01:47

I walk everywhere. I love being in the world. I haven’t used earphones since I had a Sony Walkman when I was a teenager.

ChellyT · 09/12/2023 01:40

SugarLatte · 08/12/2023 16:09

As ridiculous as having your baby fall asleep on you now being called a ‘contact nap’ 🙄

Get out! No? Thank you for next big laugh with my girl friends

OP posts:
ChellyT · 09/12/2023 01:37

MrsJellybee · 08/12/2023 13:57

I thought this was going to be a thread about heavy-footed types…

Not only am I a Quiet Walker, but also a Quiet Breakfast-maker, Quiet Washer-upper and Quiet Bathroom-cleaner. I love peace and quiet. I’m clearly advanced level.

Yes! You @MrsJellybee are next level influencer, out there before the trend... Now we wait for pay day 💗

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HonoriaLucastaDelagardie · 08/12/2023 23:48

I think the opposite of Quiet Walking (aka walking) could be called "walking without due care and attention" given the behaviour of some people you see.

Yes, maybe Looking Where You're Going Walking could be the next thing, where people look ahead instead of down at their phones.

BarbaraofSeville · 08/12/2023 22:32

There's a good thread in chat now about whether anyone has ever fallen pregnant if they've not tracked ovulation.

Anyone got a wanky new term for unprotected sex?

Justfinking · 08/12/2023 20:39

5foot5 · 08/12/2023 17:00

I think the opposite of Quiet Walking (aka walking) could be called "walking without due care and attention" given the behaviour of some people you see. Stepping in to the road without looking, walking behind cars that have already started to reverse out of a space, deciding to cross just as the lights change to green for cars etc. The headphones always seem to be a common factor.

This. The headphones thing is actually quite dangerous, I know someone who died like this

5foot5 · 08/12/2023 20:38

UncleHerbie · 08/12/2023 19:13

That’s yarn bombing!

Yarn bombing!!! 😆😆 Love it!

Saz12 · 08/12/2023 19:38

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 08/12/2023 19:25

I’m sure I’ve heard of this as being called a sound bath walk (but you embrace the natural sounds and don’t have air pods/earphones or talk). When I joined a local walking group over lockdown a woman similar in age to me (40s) was doing it. So it’s not only youngsters. I did look a bit Hmm at her.

Nah, you need a yurt for a sound bath.

Otherwise its an, umm, sound washing-up bowl. Possibly.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 08/12/2023 19:25

I’m sure I’ve heard of this as being called a sound bath walk (but you embrace the natural sounds and don’t have air pods/earphones or talk). When I joined a local walking group over lockdown a woman similar in age to me (40s) was doing it. So it’s not only youngsters. I did look a bit Hmm at her.

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 08/12/2023 19:22

HAF1119 · 08/12/2023 09:35

Wow, I can give lessons and class myself as an expert in this field! I hate taking calls and have never listened to music etc walking! So this is the only walk I have ever done. I am a quiet walking expert if anyone needs a tutor

Me too. There could be lots of money to be made here 😂

UncleHerbie · 08/12/2023 19:13

5foot5 · 08/12/2023 17:04

I always thought guerilla knitting was when the finished results end up adorning some public place. We once saw some trees covered in knitted squares in Reykjavik and I thought that was an example of guerilla knitting.

Guerrilla gardening is a thing too isn't it? At least it was a few years ago.

That’s yarn bombing!

ChristmasPuddy · 08/12/2023 17:13

I don’t know when ‘your day’ was, but the world has changed! People are connected to everything all the time and there is no off switch! Yes “quiet walking” sound wanky but people just have to name something, it’s not a big deal.

I never have my headphones in when walking/on the bus/train and my friends think I’m so funny for it 🤣

5foot5 · 08/12/2023 17:04

UncleHerbie · 08/12/2023 09:23

“Guerilla knitting” is another one, ie knitting in public or wherever one might be became a trend in the early 00s, including when a skein of knitters taking afternoon tea at The Savoy were subsequently kicked out. Maybe some business types were offended by the cacophony of needles … except I’ve knitted/crocheted in public since forever ago, as did women all over the place when I was a child

I always thought guerilla knitting was when the finished results end up adorning some public place. We once saw some trees covered in knitted squares in Reykjavik and I thought that was an example of guerilla knitting.

Guerrilla gardening is a thing too isn't it? At least it was a few years ago.

Haydenn · 08/12/2023 17:02

i will try it after my Forest Bathing

5foot5 · 08/12/2023 17:00

I think the opposite of Quiet Walking (aka walking) could be called "walking without due care and attention" given the behaviour of some people you see. Stepping in to the road without looking, walking behind cars that have already started to reverse out of a space, deciding to cross just as the lights change to green for cars etc. The headphones always seem to be a common factor.

MyLadyTheKingsMother · 08/12/2023 16:58

So what if they think they invented it? I think. It great that people are unplugging themselves, just for a bit.