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Do you differentiate between a walk that you do just for the sake of walking, and a walk that you do because you need to get to a location?

4 replies

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 06/02/2025 22:56

When I lived in London there was obviously a difference between the two, but neither were objectionable. Lots of people would walk to places rather than wait for public transport, as a way to get steps up and just because it's more certain time wise and less likelihood of being squashed into other people's armpits. But I live in Dublin now and often have people seeming shocked that I would walk somewhere because I need to go to that place when those same people 'go for a walk' because it's healthy. But, to me, unless I have a time crunch that will require me to drive somewhere else afterwards, there's no benefit in parking as close as possible and all walking is equally valuable even when there is a purpose beyond just walking for walking's sake.

For instance I have a doctor's appointment soon and the hospital car park is massively expensive and awkward with tiny spaces, but I can get on street parking for a fraction of the cost that is at most 12 minutes walk away. Last time I used the hospital car park I spent almost that long queueing to get into the car park. Quite a few of my friends have been to the same hospital and also hate the car park but would never consider parking elsewhere and walking and kept giving me reasons why I shouldn't do it either. Or when I met my Mum and DB for lunch in a place that happened to be a 20 min walk from my house my Mum was very insistent that I should let my DB drop me home afterwards, even though she knows that I walk a brisk hour along the very same roads for exercise several times a week.

OP posts:
CarpetKnees · 06/02/2025 23:03

I'm like you.
If I am going somewhere up to about 1.5miles away, and I have time, then I would walk rather than drive.
I would DEFINITELY walk rather than waiting for a bus.

FurryTeacup · 06/02/2025 23:04

Well, I don’t drive, so walk or cycle everywhere. No, I don’t really differentiate. I live in an area close to the city centre, two hospitals and the university, and most of the neighbours walk or cycle to work too. I suppose the main difference is that I won’t be carrying a bag if I’m walking for pleasure/exercise?

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 12/02/2025 10:48

Well, I’m here. It took next to no time to walk and it’s costing €1.50 to park on the street instead of about €7. However, my GP surgery didn’t send the results of my blood test. 🙄. I phoned them and they emailed while I was on the phone, so I’m glad I got here early and had a nice walk to compensate for the anxiety blood pressure rise. 😁

OP posts:
mindutopia · 12/02/2025 10:56

Sure, I guess so, there just isn’t anything really within walking distance to walk to because I live in the middle of nowhere. I do a lot of hiking for my own enjoyment, but mostly drive places I need to go because it would take me like 2 days to walk to the nearest hospital. But when I lived in a city I walked loads of places.

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