# You're walking. Where are you looking? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715 "2017-04-18T17:14:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Novalyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@Novalyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novalyne)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/21 "2017-04-19T01:11:37Z")
I’m a ground watcher. Some of it is due to having uneven sidewalks and potholes to avoid. But mostly, it’s because I live in my head. When I am walking somewhere, I typically have my headphones in and I’m daydreaming. Sometimes I make a concerted effort to concentrate on the world around me, especially if it’s a beautiful day, but I always end up back inside my head. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/22 "2017-04-19T01:14:52Z")
Back in the day, I used to visit my sister in her apartment in the village. Is that still a term? It’s been a long time. We used to walk all over Manhattan. My sister would point out how to tell a New Yorker from a tourist. Specifically, all tourists walked staring up at the skyscrapers and billboards. All New Yorkers kept their eyes on the sidewalk navigating the clear channels of concrete through the shoals of dog shit. It was before the no dog droppings even in the curb law. As I recall, that law also changed the smell of New York. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/23 "2017-04-19T01:57:01Z")
It depend were I am walking , if I am at a park I will keep my eyes on the ground b/c I don’t want to step in dog shit or trip over something . People are really bad about cleaning up after their dogs here. In my house I will look down to made sure I don’t step on my small dog. I have found money when looking down. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/24 "2017-04-19T02:17:19Z")
I scan and pan same as I do on the bike. Partly in the hope of seeing things that I find interesting and partly old habits of threat assessment. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/25 "2017-04-19T03:29:02Z")
I’m checking out the local storefronts and at the same time assessing the pedestrian and other relevant traffic 20-150 yards in front of me and off to the sides, and occasionally glancing at the sunset in the sky or the seagulls perched on the telephone poles or watching the kids get into the SUV with their mom and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/26 "2017-04-19T03:53:15Z")
When I’m walking for exercise in my neighborhood, I’m looking at the ground, thanks to uneven pavement (I tripped and sprained my wrist about two months ago, so I’m even more vigilant), and I’m also looking around. I don’t keep my gaze fixed, I look up, down, around, down, up, wave at neighbors, make kissy noises at neighborhood cats, etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/27 "2017-04-19T04:11:02Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Mostly ground watcher here. Mainly because the sidewalk potholes are just as bad as the ones in the streets. Many of the concrete blocks are lifted and you take your life in your hands if you ignore this. Occasionally I find money but that is not my reason. Me too. I see legs too, so I know if someone is coming my way. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/28 "2017-04-19T04:46:11Z")
If I’m looking at the ground it’s usually because my brain is preoccupied with something directly, so the best place for my passive gaze is where obstacles are most likely to appear suddenly. If my brain is not occupied, and I’m just passively listening to a podcast or music or whatever, my gaze is more likely to be active and looking around me more. Also, instinctively I will check for traffic at crossings and corners, for other pedestrians coming towards me, and other obstacles like tree branches and cars leaving driveways. I’m not sure what I do indoors. Probably look ahead, as the floor ought to be flat and familiar. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/29 "2017-04-19T08:27:21Z")
I’m scanning the crowd, trying to pick up my tail so I can shake them. They work in teams, you know. The tall older gent looking intently in the shop window (women’s blouses); the woman with the baby carriage (been with me for 4 blocks and 3 turns; the guy who changed caps and reversed his vest, the police officer - reflector shades - nonchalant attitude. It’s hard; ducking into shops and restaurants and bugging out the rear entrance smashing through the food servers and preparers. I’m king of the subway though - in and out of cars - sprinting up landings - sliding down escalators (though those bumps leave some painful bruises). That’s me, just an ordinary guy out for a stroll - but still they follow - now it’s drones. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/30 "2017-04-19T12:21:31Z")
I look all around and make lots of eye contact on the subway. Leads to many memorable experiences. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/31 "2017-04-19T12:44:34Z")
Depends where I am. Generally like to maintain good situational awareness, so in urban environments I tend to divide a good portion of my attention between scanning other people and traffic. When I’m in natural environments the default setting tends to be more ‘wide angle lens’, taking the entire scene in at once with less eye movement/scanning. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/32 "2017-04-19T14:05:15Z")
I live in the desert. I look down. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/33 "2017-04-19T17:55:53Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I had some idiot texting and walking nearly impale himself on my skis in the parking lot. I had to yell at him, “WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING!” Why on earth were you skiing in the parking lot? 😛 My head is on a swivel whether walking, driving, running, etc. I’m easily distracted! ---
**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:** [April 19, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715/34 "2017-04-19T18:22:51Z")
Walking? Basically just straight ahead. And my peripheral vision is sufficient to notice stuff on the ground I need to avoid, or hotties that I can quickly glance at. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-walking-where-are-you-looking/784715.md?page=1)