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

alrightarekid, actually in my head it sounded quite funny and very ridiculous; so perhaps it only sounded hysterical in yours?

And we've now had another example of a runner just running through people, and another poster who is also a runner has asked what on earth do you lot do when you have to cross the road.

Morecoffee
1-do you have a smartphone that could in theory be consulted for directions and if so would you use that before asking for directions?

2-Is there anyone that you wouldnt ask because they are doing something to important to interrupt?

3-is a runner more likely that anyone else to know the area?

1. Yes. I would only ask if the phone was no help.
2. Mother with a crying baby in a pram. Dog walker struggling with difficult dog. Couple chatting as they walk.
3. I should have thought so. I would only run in areas I knew well. I have walked around in areas utterly unknown to me on holiday.

YANBU.

When I run. Stopping means I would die.

Don't assume a runner knows directions! If I am off my normal 5k route then chances are I am making it up as I go along!

I 'know' the area's where I walk/run/cycle but if anyone asks me for directions I'm no use because I tend not to take much notice of road names

of course if I am running or cycling anyone wanting to engage with me will first have to catch me and wrestle me to the ground

Don't assume runners pay any attention to road signs - we are too busy concentrating on being very important to notice - and I don't often stop to cross a road, I just keep running till the road is clear. Hope that helps!

I'm so important that the traffic just stops for me so I dont need to stop running for roads

Memoires riiiight so it was tongue in cheek your prior rant was it? Chinny reckon!

"And we've now had another example of a runner just running through people, and another poster who is also a runner has asked what on earth do you lot do when you have to cross the road."

I time my intervals to take into account the roads I will cross OR I run parallel till it's clear. It's not brain surgery.

Funny that you've ignored the hundreds of runners agreeing it's unreasonable to stop a runner and zoned in on the one person who disagrees. You are the epitome of thestoics point. Give it up, love!

Thinking about this a bit more - of course some people walking are going somewhere important but you get that vibe from them - the speed they are walking, the determined look on their faces - I see them all the time when I'm out walking my dog - people who are walking in a don't mess with me - I have somewhere to go - kind of way - even my 13 year old who has aspergers recognises this kind of person and would put them in the same category as runners, for do not disturb if other people less busy are around. Maybe some people aren't good at picking up the I'm too busy to stop vibes and it must be tricky navigating through life if you think everyone you encounter should help you, despite their very obvious vibes that they are involved in another pursuit and don't wish to be disturbed. Btw when I'm walking my dog - after my run I have oodles of time for navigational requests - but my advice will still likely to be poor.

Stately - yes - that's the exact the point I made a couple of page back. Slightly amazed that people seem to have zero social cop on, and are proud of it (going by this thread).

You choose the stranger least likely to be inconvenienced by you asking them a favour - as they're more likely to want to help you.

You are asking them a favour. You read the situation first, and then ask in such a way that will most likely illicit a positive response.

Social interaction 101 for NT people, I'd have thought.

I walk my dog every day and exchange pleasantries with everyone I pass. I am always open to being asked directions. I wager most dog-walkers are.

I get asked for directions when I'm out for a run. Probably because I'm out at 05:30, so not too many people about. However, on a 10k run, its not likely that you know all the local roads.

However, my biggest problem is that I'm normally in 'the zone' so takes me a while to work out where I am and work out how to get there!!

Could be vaguely annoying if you're doing a specific fast run as you sometimes do, but why wouldn't you help? Better to contribute to a nice neighbourhood!

I think it's not why wouldn't you help more why would you ask a runner when other people who look less involved are around....but I think I'm understanding that some people either can't tell the difference between a busy person and a non busy person or don't care and therefore get a bit pissed off with the busy person they have randomly asked without thought.

No one, or almost no one, has told a story of a person who was pissed off or aggressive in the way they asked 4 directions. The anger seems to be exclusively runners who hate interruptions.

I went out for 42 minutes today, with 7x intervals. I had many gates, a dog running across my path, and a busy road to deal with. I don't know how urban runners expect to deal with any less.

Everyone who is stopped will be inconvenienced to a greater or lesser degree, that's pretty much the point. The vast majority of people - runners or not - will be willing to help.

That doesn't alter the fact that the person asking the favour - of a stranger - has the onus on them a little bit, to stop the person least likely to be inconvenienced.

Why is this such a controversial viewpoint?

Is reading a situation that difficult for some people. Is it annoying for you to have to do that?

Better just to annoy the person you're stopping, right?!

Navy you deserve some kind of award/recognition for services to the community - next year's honours list?

Navy - if you were lost, and in front of you was a dog walker and a runner, who would you stop to ask?

Right. You'd ask the dog walker! Because you know dog walkers are way more open to be interrupted. :)

Thread resolved!

Big Thanks to TheDowagerCuntess & NavyandWhite for bringing this thread some (welcome) light relief!

I shall be sure to always ask dog walkers from now on