Park etiquette question

[NoJo]

I spend a lot of time in the beautiful wild park near where I live (no, just walking).

I don't have a dog, I don't wear running gear, just my ordinary clothes, and I walk really fast -- it's my workout. But I end up terrifying the single women there.

So my problem is that I always end up overtaking some single woman out walking her dog, from behind, and I'm aware that she can probably hear my footsteps as I catch up with her. I know she's thinking "uh oh -- rapist".

But I'll be damned if I'm going to make a big detour around every single woman in the park when I go for my power walk.

So how can I enjoy my walks? It's MY park too.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Shave, for one thing- and wear pink

 

[NoJo]

Shave, for one thing- and wear pink

I forgot to mention -- about half a mile of the park is a well-known "cottaging" area. If you know what that means. So, slow walking and pink are not a good idea.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

just dress as a woman... <grin>

 

[damppanties]

Get rid of the fake moustache and keep the glass eye in the socket.












What do you mean you don't have a glass eye?!

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I forgot to mention -- about half a mile of the park is a well-known "cottaging" area. If you know what that means. So, slow walking and pink are not a good idea.

I don't know that anything you do will lessen the apprehension of women in the park. By and large, familiarity with you will alleviate it in the regulars there. Otherwise, you're a lone guy and prudent women will feel some apprehension.

 

[NoJo]

just dress as a woman... <grin>

Im not svelte enough to bring it off without looking like one of the Monty Python women. *sigh*

 

[NoJo]

I don't know that anything you do will lessen the apprehension of women in the park. By and large, familiarity with you will alleviate it in the regulars there. Otherwise, you're a lone guy and prudent women will feel some apprehension.

Yes that's true. However I've been doing it for a while now and still only say "hello" to one male dogwalker, and to the park keepers. (We're British don't ya know).

My wife was molested in that park a few years ago. It took her ten years before she'd go back there alone.

 

[Guest]

Too bad, Jose. I feel for you, and the women.

I live next to Golden Gate Park; people come from all over the world to see it but I needs be careful when I take the less traveled paths (to avoid tourists). As soon as I hear anything but tree leaves rustling I check all 'round me. I love the park at twilight and midnight but dare not visit then .

Do you move your arms rhythmically when you walk? Can you do something that would immediately signal you're just walking?

I don't know that it'd help, really, as 'smart' rapists certainly try to blend in as well.
Let us know what works.

Perdita

 

[Liar]

Get a pair of those silly ski poles that power woggers and seniors have. Nobody will take you seriously enough to consider you a threat.

 

[English Lady]

you could try wearing a jogging suit type get up, sweat pants and a top, so it looks like you're jogging and so anyone will glance at you and know you're doing it for excercise.

Or wear a big badge

"Don't panic. I'm just excercising."

smile, if you can manage it, whistle? if you'v got enough breath, that'll warn folks youre erm, coming and well, you'll not be attacking anyone if they can hear your approach.

ooh, and makesure your pants are zipped up, that might help too.

 

[NoJo]

Get a pair of those silly ski poles that power woggers and seniors have. Nobody will take you seriously enough to consider you a threat.

Yes, fuck. I've seen those. That's so not me. I guess it makes it worse, but I use a stick -- not a walking stick, a branch that I just pick up off the ground. So I guess I look like a mad castaway or something.

 

[Liar]

Seriously though, it's a situation that regally pisses me off, the fact that women have to make that assessment (wrong word?) with every person they meet alone. A rapist? Dangerous? Could be. Probably not, but could be. They have the right not to be arfaid, and I have the right not to be scared of. Problem is the world is not safe enough for that to be the case. Solution? Damned if I know.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

1. Get a cuddly dog.
http://www.ralfs-hundelexikon.de/foto/pit_bull/pit3.jpg

2. Wear appropriate running gear.
http://www.wherescherie.com/thumbs/00005568.jpg

2. If number one and two are no-go's, keep looking at your watch and saying, "I'm late. I'm late; for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."

That's bound to reassure folks.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Liar]

Yap randomly on the cell phone.
Who stalks women in the park while discussing the artistic decay of Winnie the Pooh in the hands of Disney's direct-to-dvd releases?

 

[Guest]

... keep looking at your watch and saying, "I'm late. I'm late; for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."

I am picturing Jose in a big white bunny suit (except his hair sticks out past the floppy ears).

Perdita

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I think you need a set of those radio headphones and a pair wrist weights. Ooh, or a terrycloth headband!

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I am picturing Jose in a big white bunny suit (except his hair sticks out past the floppy ears).

Perdita

The mind boggles.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

The mind boggles.

You boggle me, Rumpledude.

Perdita

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I am picturing Jose in a big white bunny suit (except his hair sticks out past the floppy ears).

Perdita

I think that would put the women right at ease, lol.

http://www.stupidporn.com/images/animal_easter.jpg

 

[cloudy]

I think that would put the women right at ease, lol.

http://www.stupidporn.com/images/animal_easter.jpg

that is SO wrong.

 

[zeb1094]

As you start to get close to them start whistling, show tunes would be in order. Then as you get right next to them, suddenly stop.

That should calm them down before you strike! er I mean pass them.

 

[Guest]

As you start to get close to them start whistling, show tunes would be in order. Then as you get right next to them, suddenly stop.

That should calm them down before you strike! er I mean pass them.

Really not funny.

Perdita

 

[kendo1]

Okay, if not a ski pole then a real walking stick.
Act your age.

If you are going to the bother of picking up a stick to look menacing, at least get one with a handle.

I worry about you, Joe.
I take it you are looking out for single sylable birds?

 

[BlackShanglan]

Carry a briefcase and glance irritably at your watch. They'll think you're late for a meeting.

There's a great essay out there called something like "A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space"; the author discusses his difficulties in that sort of situation, with the added handicap of being black, over six feet tall, and in a city, sometimes at night. His solution I found charming; he whistles Mozart. It's a sort of "I'm not going to hurt you - and by the way, I'm not anything like your stereotypes, either" give and take. It's a good piece.