Waving

Today I would like to resolve a matter that frequently perplexes runners: what to do when another runner waves at you.  The dilemma occurs when you are minding your own business headed down the road and you see an approaching runner.  You wonder what the proper greeting is, and might actually consider hiding in the bushes as an option rather than commit a fast moving faux pas.  Pretending to be interested in your watch could come off as rude, yet stopping for conversation will disrupt your groove, and extra breath used in greeting can be hard to come by if you are running hard anyway.  

So here are the guidelines to the secret, unwritten, rule of friendly runner etiquette.  

If someone waves at you: wave back.  Whether you know him for not, wave back.  Profoundly simple, yet tremendously helpful advice, I know.  But it doesn't cost you anything to wave, and you will be surprised at how refreshing it is to be connected to another runner.  Besides you never know if you will "run" into that person again and it could be helpful to see a familiar face.  No one will think you are a snob for waving, where you might look like one if you don't.  

If running in crowds of people, like a big city: don't wave unless you know the person. When I was running in London, no one made eye contact, so waving was out of the question.   This is a habit born  of sheer practicality, where if you waved at everyone you could spend your whole run just waving.  Skip the wave in a crowd.

Running loops: unless you are good friends with the person, you don't have to wave every time you pass someone on a loop. It would get a bit ridiculous to wave every time you passed someone running opposite directions on a track, for example.  Once is enough. 

Waving at cars: a friendly wave for the car that moves over to give you extra room on the side of the road is a great way to say thanks and hopefully spread goodwill for runners.  Just resist giving a one-fingered wave to the guy who actually moves closer to you or honks as he passes.  It won't help.  No matter how much he deserves it. 

If you see someone veer off the road and hide behind a tree: don't wave, whatever you do. Chances are nature is calling and the last thing they want is to be recognized at that moment.  Pretend you see nothing but the road ahead.  

When in doubt, wave.  Go ahead, give it a try.  Wave at those you pass.  It doesn't have to be a big arm-flapping wave, but you might be surprised how acknowledging your fellow humans brightens your day, and theirs.  

Happy waving. 

Ps lest you think I am crazy, this is a real issue to some people.  I have heard adults seriously contend one with another about it.  Silly, I know.  They should have just settled it with a race.