Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Not an inch more than strictly necessary

On my walks around the nearby park, it never fails to amaze me how joggers, who are so keen on keeping or getting fit, are unable to give me any space when passing me.

There I am, on the extreme right of the pathway in the park and there they come towards me. In the middle of the path. They can't give me some extra space as they pant by, covering me with their germs. It's as though there has never been a pandemic and the word "Abstand" (distance) has become obsolete. 

It's even worse when they come from behind you. All of a sudden, I hear a sound behind me and I jump and turn around. Some male runner might then look startled at the expression on my face, which is one of fear. Do they never think that people ahead of them might be anxious that they will be attacked or mugged by someone running up fast right behind them? I don't think any male runner has ever given this any thought. 

But as I said before, I'm amazed that they want to keep fit, but they just don't seem to have the energy to deviate from their track, not even by an inch or two, just to give someone a bit of space. If things are that bad, if even an extra inch would be too much for them, then maybe they should take a shorter route or just stay at home on the sofa. Running too close past another person is just bad etiquette.

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