Would you walk across a field alone?

[Summerloverr]

I do quite a lot of walking around my town, and one route involves walking across a field for 5-10 minutes.

I only do this during daylight and while it's usually quiet with no one around, there is the occasional dog walker etc.

But my friend thinks I am putting my line on the line by doing this, and says I am putting myself in danger. He said it's not safe for a lone woman to walk alone across fields.

I know there are news stories about horrible and unfortunate events, but they make the news because it's rare. AIBU to walk across quiet fields alone?

I would do it in the daylight and in the dark! And if I wanted to, I’d walk through the woods in the dark on my own, and up hills, by lakes and rivers and into town centres.

I don’t believe there are murderous rapey men on around every corner and I refuse to live my life in fear.

I would have said absolutely yes until very recently.

We were chatting about a similar thing at work today. I teach teenagers and tend to think I'm a bit unbreakable and happily stand by gangs of teens at the train station etc whereas my friends would steer clear

I'm 44 now though and weirdly feel a bit more aware since the lockdowns etc (staying in a lot or being with dh all the time)

I teach a night class and found myself walking home from the station with my house keys in my hand and a pair of my craft scissors (I use them on the train sometimes) in my bag within reach this winter.

Shit feeling really. 😕

Yes I walk fields, coastline, woods etc alone frequently.

Wouldn't think twice about it

Yes I would walk through a field, or through woods etc alone, unless I knew there specifically had been reports of danger in the area.

I wouldn't but I'm hyper vigilant, for better or for worse

Wow people really don't walk anywhere isolated alone? I dog walk the hills around her all the time, have done for 25 years. Very sad that anyone would miss out on that 'just in case'. The chance of a car crash is probably far, far higher but I bet you still drive your car.

I am the same.

Lol I've literally travelled the world alone so maybe I'm not the best person to ask!

I'm pretty sure your much more likely to be in danger in your own home than out of it as a woman.

Of course. I do it all the time. It's not a particularly risky thing to do. Fields usually have good visibility.

I think your friend should take a self defence class, buy a loud whistle and get on with enjoying her life.

Bloody raping bulls.

Don't wear red.

Go for it, lassie

I have run through fields and woods on my own only today! I do all the time. But I have to confess I stuck to the road for a bit when there was a spare women being flashed in my local area…

I can’t understand why anybody wouldn’t walk in a field on their own. I worked as a land agent in my 20s and used to spend all day everyday walking remote fields, mainly in the Lakes, from checking field boundaries, valuing crops or walking wayleaves. Nothing every happened to me.

Of course. Although I rather think I am past the age to be raped, and don't carry any valuables.

“He says … “

wanker🤦‍♀️.

An empty field? I wouldn't give it a second thought.

I do this every single day. No issue. Unless there are cows in there, in which case I go slow and keep to the wall rather than going through the middle.

Sometimes MN is really fucking weird. Why would this be an issue?!

Yes but I carry one of those little 'rape alarms' that emit a loud noise when you pull the pin out. If it was dark I'd think twice, but if unavoidable then I'd probably arm myself with a can of fly spray or something to spray in any would-be attacker's eyes!

Are you being sarcastic?

What do you think happens in fields? One of the primary schools my DCs went to had a route across fields, it was a lovely walk on a summer day

yes, I walk across fields both with my dog and without

Yep. I run through fields, woods, footpaths, etc. I keep my wits about me and look behind me occasionally but otherwise just crack on with it.

Yes, I walk around fields every day with the dog. What's the difference between walking across a field and walking down a country lane or a quiet street? Surely if someone wants to grab you, it's easier to bundle you into a car? And if you're walking 'round your town' and the route involves a 5 minute stretch of field, how far are you from other people anyway?

Yes, I would and do.

I would pretty happily, but I have dogs. I think in daylight I would still do it, even without the dogs. You’ve got a good view of everything