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Original poster

Would you feel safe walking with your dh/dp in the park in the dark?

36 replies

Renovationsituation · 08/09/2023 13:49

So think of a country park/nature reserve type place. Walking at 8.30-9pm when it's dark.

Would you be happy to walk this if with your husband or would you avoid?

I was bought up to avoid isolated areas alone especially after dark.

OP posts:
IthinkIamAnAlien · 08/09/2023 14:08

My DH is reasonably fit and strong, I wouldn't walk alone in the situation you describe but I'd be fine with him. I used to walk alone at night with our dog in a previous city we lived in where there was a long walk on a common by a river. I think this country is safer than you imagine but I also remember a policewoman once saying to me 'if only you knew...'!

jazzyfips · 08/09/2023 14:15

Depends on location but I’d be happy in several places.

Iwasfeelingepic · 08/09/2023 14:17

Yes I would with my DH. I love walking in the dark. I have went to my local park, which is massive, at night. No street lamps, just trees and the river. It helps me when I'm feeling anxious. I never feel anxious at the thought of being in the park at night.

Privatelyliving · 08/09/2023 14:19

I'd do it with anyone I know or alone. I refuse to live life scared.

SweetPetrichor · 08/09/2023 14:19

Depends on the situation. If I feel unsafe, I don’t want either of us to be there! I worry about him when he’s out alone in the dark, even if he is at much lower risk than a woman.

PurpleMonkeys · 08/09/2023 14:19

A long term Partner... sure

A first or second or third date? Nooooo.

But in guessing it's dangers from a third party that are the concern. I think it's pretty simple really. You could be walking in the woods with Tyson Fury at 11pm and some dude with a gun hops out, Tyson's just as fucked as you are. Folks don't suddenly become knife or bullet proof just on the basis of owning a pair of bollocks. You meet someone with the willingness to kill you, you're done.

SallyWD · 08/09/2023 14:20

I walk alone in the dark through many places, some of which are isolated.

SlipperyLizard · 08/09/2023 14:21

Yes, DH is 6’3” and strong, so I’d feel as safe as I can. I wouldn’t walk there alone, as even though my logical brain knows it is probably safe, my axe-murderer fearing brain would be scared out of its wits.

TheChosenTwo · 08/09/2023 14:23

I go for a walk most evenings in the dark on my own, I love it. There’s some wooded parts where I have to turn my phone torch on as otherwise I can’t see but other than that it’s all fine.
My mum always told me to not be alone in the dark too but as an adult I weigh up the risks myself.
The nature reserve near me usually has some teens trying to have sex in ‘private’ somewhere along the route 😂 and a few groups of kids smoking weed so I don’t really go there as it’s a bit embarrassing bumping into the fumblers!

Breezycheesetrees · 08/09/2023 14:23

I go everywhere on my own in the dark, but I do live somewhere very rural and safe.

plehpleh · 08/09/2023 14:23

Absolutely!

Gnomegnomegnome · 08/09/2023 14:24

What would I need DH for? To lift the back of my dress as I step over muddy puddles?

Polis · 08/09/2023 14:25

Depends on location but I’d be happy in several places.

Same here. I often leave my husband at the pub and walk home alone in the dark in what I suppose you could call an isolated area. I’m as happy doing it alone as walking home with him.

I can think of places I wouldn’t be happy, alone or with him.

JanesBlond · 08/09/2023 14:28

Yes definitely. Unless the particular nature reserve is known for being especially dangerous?

HarpieDuJour · 08/09/2023 14:31

I have very poor night vision, so it would depend if I had a torch. My husband has excellent night vision but is becoming a bit frail, so I might have to protect him rather than the other way round.

mindutopia · 08/09/2023 14:32

Yes, it would be fine. And not in a built up area, but I walk out after dark all the time. I went on a walking holiday, walking at night and wild camping by myself. I wouldn't do it in a town, but in a rural area, yes, I feel comfortable.

Brightandshining · 08/09/2023 14:34

Yes I'd feel completely safe.

You are more at risk in areas that aren't isolated like a city centre tbh.
Anything that's happened to me in terms of violence has been in city centres, on public transport, at parties or in bars... once when I was walking home alone late at night however it was again in a built up area of a city
Nothing has every happened to me in a park or the countryside...

BackToOklahoma · 08/09/2023 14:38

With my partner, yes.

Anni1234 · 08/09/2023 14:40

I would feel totally safe with my DH :)

DisforDarkChocolate · 08/09/2023 14:40

It would depend. I spend much more of my live oblivious. My husband is much more likely to know where has trouble at night. If he said it was ok we'd go.

Tonight1 · 08/09/2023 14:42

Yes if I was with someone that would be fine.

It's a shame we have these restrictions in our minds.

Crunchymum · 08/09/2023 14:43

I'd feel safe to walk anywhere with my DP.

Not sure I'm grasping the question properly? Are you asking if you think our partners will protect us sufficiently from danger? Or are you asking if we think being with our partners will deter baddies from getting us?

Polis · 08/09/2023 14:43

Unless the particular nature reserve is known for being especially dangerous?
Longleat maybe.

PinkRoses1245 · 08/09/2023 14:43

Why would I need my DH there? I'd be perfectly fine on my own. You know how statistically rare it would be for something to happen.

dramadealings · 08/09/2023 14:44

Depends how isolated it was. If it was thickly wooded and isolated, I'd probably not fancy it as even with DP, I'd rather being in an area with people and street lighting,