# Men, black men in particluar, do you make yourself "walk loud"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 25, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681 "2016-10-25T14:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/1 "2016-10-25T14:57:34Z")
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. Anyone else do that? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/2 "2016-10-25T15:05:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/3 "2016-10-25T15:08:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/4 "2016-10-25T15:09:55Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/5 "2016-10-25T15:31:10Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I don’t read anything into it for myself, do you feel you’re doing this for some other purpose? I’ve noticed I do it as a “hey, I’m walking right here, I’m not trying to be sneaky or anything. I’m not a threat.” ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/6 "2016-10-25T15:39:34Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/7 "2016-10-25T15:50:13Z")
Similarly with me. I try to be obvious when approaching someone, especially from behind. I will also give people with dogs a wide berth. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/8 "2016-10-25T16:05:32Z")
No, I don’t change the way I walk to alert anyone to my presence. If anyone is particularly afraid of black men for whatever reason, that’s entirely their problem. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/9 "2016-10-25T16:15:40Z")
I don’t need to avoid people when I am walking. When they hear me talking to myself, they avoid me. If they make eye contact, I shout “You’re one of THEM!!!” and run away. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/10 "2016-10-25T16:23:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/11 "2016-10-25T16:28:38Z")
Shout out like on ski trails, “On your LEFT!” ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/12 "2016-10-25T16:32:37Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/13 "2016-10-25T16:45:03Z")
I tend to walk quietly at first, so as not to disturb anyone, but if I get too close I sound my air horn, so they know someone is there. A little consideration goes a long way folks. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/14 "2016-10-25T16:52:04Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’ve noticed I do it as a “hey, I’m walking right here, I’m not trying to be sneaky or anything. I’m not a threat.” 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. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/15 "2016-10-25T17:09:38Z")
Spent too much time in Iraq to ever “walk loud” ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/16 "2016-10-25T17:15:23Z")
I do all these things. White British male. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/17 "2016-10-25T17:29:12Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Spent too much time in Iraq to ever “walk loud” I was a flyboy. There was no hiding when we were near, lol. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/18 "2016-10-25T17:43:00Z")
I get the strangest looks late at night. Must be my hockey mask. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/19 "2016-10-25T17:43:43Z")
I like sneaking up behind strangers and yelling “Gotcha!” Especially at night. Then as I pass I’ll usually toss out a “Just kidding.” Ah, the stories I could tell…priceless! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681/20 "2016-10-25T17:50:33Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I tend to walk quietly at first, so as not to disturb anyone, but if I get too close I sound my air horn, so they know someone is there. That’s excessive, if you don’t mind my saying so. Never use an air horn when simple flatulence will do. Although in my case, the distinction is not always easy to make. Regards, Shodan [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-black-men-in-particluar-do-you-make-yourself-walk-loud/769681.md?page=2)