So I was walking at my normal pace to get food for the family when these two white women turned onto the sidewalk a couple in front of me. I’m usually a fast walker but when this happens I usually do one of two things: I either speed up to get pretty far in front of them before dropping to my normal speed or I slow down to put a lot of space between us and then I start kinda scuffing my feet, making sure my steps are heard so that way people can ping my presence.
Until recently I hadn’t even noticed I did this dance. It’s just something I’ve done for years whenever I’m walking by myself. When I’m with my wife or daughter? I don’t change how I walk. I do when I’m by myself.
As a person who is unable to jump, I sometimes do that in situations where the other person might reasonably worry e.g.: I’m walking behind someone physically weaker than me at night and there are few other people around.
I’m less likely to try to make noise than I am to quickly put distance in front of or behind a woman in such a circumstance. I do it all the time, mostly consciously.
Women have, in my opinion, legitimate reasons for being alert and concerned about strange men walking in their vicinity when alone. I have, in my opinion, legitimate reasons for being really bothered when someone instinctively reacts negatively to my presence. I do my best to avoid such situations when at all possible. And yes, that includes intentionally crossing the street sometimes to avoid closely passing someone if we’re the only two people on said street.
Walking down the street alone I don’t want to be close by anyone I don’t know if I can help it. Walking with others tends to be slower just to maintain a pace everyone is comfortable with. I don’t know if I intentionally want my footsteps to be heard but I think I want people to be aware I’m there to avoid collisions. I don’t read anything into it for myself, do you feel you’re doing this for some other purpose?
I’m the same as Asimovian: I’ll pass a woman as quickly as I can, walking as far apart as possible on the sidewalk when I pass, and then walk quickly to put distance between us.
I’ll walk loudly as I approach people from behind. Sometimes I’ll jangle my keys in my pocket, from as far away as is practical. I can’t help it if I’m scary-looking, but I don’t like startling people.
I think it is just polite to let people know you are around and not sneak up on or startle people. I walk louder and if that doesn’t work clear my throat or cough.
Same here. In some circumstances, I’ve even said something like “Behind you, excuse me.” Has nothing to do with black or white, just being considerate.
