# Do you read while walking? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 19, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791 "2010-08-19T21:02:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/21 "2010-08-20T00:31:51Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > What if two people reading books or Blackberries are walking in opposite directions down a path, though? What time did the train leave the station?šŸ˜› Just kidding. It is the responsibility of the person/people who are otherwise occupied to make sure they arenā€™t a hazard to other people. Sadly, many people do not realize this. If 2 people are reading or whatever and they collide, itā€™s both of their faults and they both deserve whatever scrapes they get. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/22 "2010-08-20T00:37:59Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > What if two people reading books or Blackberries are walking in opposite directions down a path, though? I agree with congodwarf. If either of them get bent out of shape that they had a minor bump with a fellow human, then they should accept that they have sticks far enough up their asses that they donā€™t get to be the kind of laid back cats that can walk and read. Right? Those kind of folks should be able to shake it off and laugh and say, ā€˜oh, excuse me!ā€™. Now, if I bump into someone when Iā€™m reading, and they _arenā€™t reading_, then Iā€™m going to get super serious really fast, beg forgiveness and offer to pay for dry cleaning regardless of whether or not I spilled a drink. But I donā€™t read and walk. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/23 "2010-08-20T00:41:31Z")
Depends on the weight. I can easily read magazines or newspapers while walking but hardcover books tire my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/24 "2010-08-20T00:50:17Z")
When I was a kid, I used to have to walk about a mile to get to/home from the public library, and of course, I had books with me that I wanted to read. I occasionally tried reading while I walked, but it didnā€™t really work. Believe me, if I could have, I wouldā€™ve. I found walking rather boring, and unfortunately, this was before the Walkman, let alone the mp3 player, came along. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > > Yes, whenever I have a book to hand. I donā€™t find it difficult, barring a high wind. **And it keeps me from being bored out of my mind**. And a local library happens to be within fairly reasonable walking distance; so I can save on gas and get a little exercise while returning and getting books. > > (emphasis added) This is something I truly donā€™t understand. Not meaning to jump on you, particularly, but I donā€™t understand why so many people seem to need constant distraction from the outside world. Is it so horrible where you live, that you have to pretend itā€™s not there? Speaking only for myself, I like to listen to audiobooks (or some such) when I go out walking. I **do** pay attention to ā€œthe outside worldā€ā€”I like looking at the houses, the trees, the people, etc. Iā€™m certainly not distracted from it; I donā€™t ā€œpretend itā€™s not there.ā€ But just looking at my surroundings isnā€™t enough to engage my mind. Itā€™s not enough to keep me from being bored out of my mind if I donā€™t have anything to listen to and think about. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/25 "2010-08-20T01:05:06Z")
Iā€™ve done it since childhood. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/26 "2010-08-20T05:05:42Z")
Yup. I do it fairly often. The trick is to hold the book up a little ways so you can flick your eyes over the top of it every few seconds to avoid open trenches, dogs and less-literate pedestrians. Itā€™s not the best way to read, but itā€™ll get you a few more pages in while youā€™re getting to the next spot you can sit down with your book. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/27 "2010-08-20T05:13:15Z")
Yeah, Iā€™ve done it. I make sure to stop when Iā€™m crossing the road though. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/28 "2010-08-20T05:39:06Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > > Yes, whenever I have a book to hand. I donā€™t find it difficult, barring a high wind. **And it keeps me from being bored out of my mind**. And a local library happens to be within fairly reasonable walking distance; so I can save on gas and get a little exercise while returning and getting books. > > (emphasis added) This is something I truly donā€™t understand. Not meaning to jump on you, particularly, but I donā€™t understand why so many people seem to need constant distraction from the outside world. Is it so horrible where you live, that you have to pretend itā€™s not there? No, just dull. Ooo, look, a tree! And a fence! And even concrete!! Bleah. Itā€™s not like I live next to the Grand Canyon or Painted Desert or something else especially interesting to look at. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/29 "2010-08-20T05:48:41Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > > > ā€¦And I think people who do are a hazard to other walkers. > > Roddy > > Is walking so intense and extreme that we need both sets of eyeballs from both walkers on a path to avoid a collision? Hey, walking down the sidewalk is practically a competitive sport where I live. People who read/text while walking obliviously down crowded sidewalks are hazards to themselves & others. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/30 "2010-08-20T05:49:03Z")
Iā€™m with **Der Trihs**. Plus, even the most exciting location gets boring day after day. I try to switch up my routine when Iā€™m walking home, but itā€™s still a bit dull after a while. ---
**Author:** ![Djinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@Djinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Djinn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/31 "2010-08-20T12:41:48Z")
Yes. Almost everyday. I take the tube to work and have to walk 15 min from the station. Am never without a book in hand. I read when am in the tube and continue to do so till I reach my office. Its not that hard and I havenā€™t bumped into anyone, yet! ---
**Author:** ![GHO57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df788c/32.png) [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/32 "2010-08-20T12:46:42Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I love to read, but I donā€™t do it while walking. And I think people who do are a hazard to other walkers. > Roddy :smack: [Relative of yours?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=575026) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/33 "2010-08-20T12:52:48Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I used to spend some time with a person who liked to draw, and it was an education. Walking down a street I had been down a hundred times before, he pointed out several interesting things on buildings that I had never noticed before, mostly above eye level. In effect, he was teaching me how to see. There is much wonderful and interesting stuff out there. Yeah, I donā€™t ever really get bored even with the routes Iā€™ve been over every day for years. Thereā€™s always something new to see. When my mind is working correctly Iā€™m absorbing it all in a sort of Zen way. When my mind is working incorrectly Iā€™m sorting out a bazillion random thoughts. I canā€™t even imagine getting bored with walking. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/34 "2010-08-20T13:17:05Z")
I do it during breaks at work. The building I work in has an asphalt walking path around it about a half mile long. When I need a break, I usually print a couple of articles from political opinion sites I enjoy and take them along. I fold the pages in half to 5.5 by 8.5, and manage to read and navigate at the same time without difficulty. The route is familiar, fairly obstacle-free, and not used by very many others. The frequent walkers know about me. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/35 "2010-08-20T13:28:55Z")
Iā€™ve tried reading while doing just about everything, but as **tdn** says, it makes for a suboptimal reading experience. I donā€™t get to do enough reading, and dammit, I want a chair and some reasonable peace. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/36 "2010-08-20T13:55:37Z")
I trip up and crash into things when Iā€™m walking _without_ reading. The last thing Iā€™m going to do is completely eliminate what little of my concentration is already active. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/37 "2010-08-20T14:11:30Z")
I do sometimes at home, when Iā€™m reading a particularly good book and am just going from one room to the next. However, I wouldnā€™t do it on a sidewalk. That seems unsafe. I donā€™t even use an iPod if Iā€™m walking or running outside. If Iā€™m walking slowly on the treadmill (something I sometimes do if Iā€™m really unmotivated to exercise, but really need to), I might read. But I always feel somewhat unsatisfied afterward. When I pay attention to my workout, I feel like Iā€™ve done something; when I read, I donā€™t feel like Iā€™ve done anything, even if it was a great feat to get on the thing in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/38 "2010-08-20T22:01:06Z")
I donā€™t do this anymore, but I did it constantly for many years of my life as a child and teenager, and was known around my (small) town for it. Somehow I never had problems with stepping in things/tripping/walking into traffic, etc. I could see where I was going. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/39 "2010-08-20T22:33:28Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > That ainā€™t nothingā€¦Iā€™ve seen people driving down the highway reading novels proped up on their steering wheels. Gah! My brother does that! Thank G-d he lives in another state. I walk and read frequently, and have done so since I was walking to and from school. When I walk on the treadmills at the gym I often read a book. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791/40 "2010-08-21T01:11:30Z")
I used to read while walking, and I think the only reason I stopped was because when I got my own place it was in a busier neighborhood which required that I pay more attention to where I was walking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-while-walking/550791.md?page=3)