Sounds like a fun question, but what is the correct answer? Is there a universal unwritten rule? Do you always have to say hello so that other runners see you as friendly? Or should you only greet people you know so a stranger doesn’t think you’re a potential stalker?
In Texas, it’s typical to wave and even say hello to each passing runner at their races. Heck, I salute joggers, walkers, people’s dogs, and even a few passing motorists who yell out the window. I guess they’re saying “Hello!” because they know me or are admiring my sweaty butt. Either way, a wave is indicated. I also talk non-stop while running so people either love to run with me or find me incredibly annoying. Even another runner told me to shut up while running a marathon. I guess they were having a bad day. I know my incessant chatter can be distracting, but what about the wave?
To complicate the music in my head, I also wonder about the cyclists. Do you say hello to everyone on a bike? After diving headfirst into the world of triathlon a few years ago and clocking up hundreds of miles, I still don’t know the answer to the question of saying hello when it comes to cyclists. The first months I was learning to ride a bike without falling; a wave would have made me crash. I didn’t even think about it! Now, I often wave or at least nod to passing cyclists. You never know who is a friend or not with your headphones on.
Geography may also have something to do with it. I’ve realized after quite a bit of running while traveling that auto wave isn’t the norm in other cities. I even started to think it was just a Texas thing, but I remembered my childhood racing in Rhode Island where everyone would say hello. Then again, everyone knew everyone else in my small town. Maybe it’s something from the suburbs. In fact, while I was running in Chicago, people would give me quite strange looks when I said hello. No one actually waved back and I have to admit I didn’t feel very welcome when I finished. My experience was similar in Pittsburgh. It doesn’t shake much. I expected the same in New York, but was surprised when I got quite a few waves and even a passing grunt as I ran. Who knew that New York runners could be friendlier than Chicago and Pittsburgh?
Therefore, I embarked on a mission to answer the undulating question. To greet or not to greet? After a highly unscientific survey of over a hundred runners across the country, it turns out that there are no hard and fast rules. However, there are some vague guidelines:
1. It’s always better to say hello than not say hello unless you’re running in a city. Hesitant can be mistaken for muggers.
2. Staggers tend to go for a recreational run, not a fast-paced run or sprint workout.
3. There are more waves in the South than in the North.
4. Women greet more than men. In fact, one man felt that a wave can be interpreted as a pickup line.
5. Non-doubters often use an iPod and don’t even realize that they might be seen as rude and hostile.
6. Most cyclists haven’t really even thought of waving, but feel that a simple nod is enough recognition.
So I guess there’s no universal rule about waving, but I’m going to continue to wave to all runners to try and foster a sense of community while running, but as far as cycling; I think I’ll stick with the wink.