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As you say it may be a cultural difference or just one of personality. Some people - myself included - may feel some reluctance to give an outright refusal to the suggestion of walking together even if we really would prefer to walk solo. A fear of appearing impolite or giving offence. What may seem to you to be a perfectly friendly and genuinely neutral suggestion may instead be heard as a challenge - "I will cling to you like a leech unless you summon up the nerve to tell me to bugger off." I have occasionally added 10km or more to my walking day to leave a particularly chatty or irritating person behind without going through the business of telling them to their face that their company is unwelcome.Something like a "i want to walk alone for now but i'll see you later" is not that difficult.
In practice that has usually been what happened when I have walked the quieter routes. There is quite a big difference between a brief friendly exchange in passing and deliberately falling in step with someone for a longer walk though. I think I am particularly wary of intruding into someone else's journey because I value my own solitude and privacy so highly. On a route like the Via de la Plata in January I met about 20 pilgrims over nearly 1000km. Often going several days without seeing another pilgrim. In that situation I tend to assume that someone walking the same route and time has a similar outlook to myself. If they wanted company they would probably be somewhere else entirely!I disagree a bit about the lesser walked Caminos. I would expect to walk together and chat for a few minutes, at least, to gauge the situation and be courteous, unless the other person was clearly unreceptive.
I am definitely one of those walkers who scare easily, so I appreciate your etiquette and sensitivity when passing by pilgrims.I have scared the bejesus out of many an unsuspecting fellow walker/hiker/pilgrim while passing them.
I've always gone down the route if I'm overtaking them first do they look as if they want to talk! I believe from there demeanor you can tell and just ask how they are! Are you OK it normally gets a reaction. If not walk on by and look for your next victim lol.Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
I love your reply. I would do the same. Just be organic, authentic and then "read the room". I hope I meet you on the trail Anhalter because I'd welcome a "want to walk together for a while?"No idea if it's rude or not, or only in some culture and not in the other, but I'd likely be a bit more chatty. I might just go with a "hey, how's it going?" or even with a "want to walk together for a while?". Guess that depends on "smart" I'd be at that given moment and what kind of vibe i get from that person. While i understand that not everyone is wanting to have company i guess that if this would be the case they could just as well make that understood. Something like a "i want to walk alone for now but i'll see you later" is not that difficult. But i guess it is a fluid thing with lots of grey area and there will never be a rule by which you be 100% correct.
This reminds me of an encounter on the Mozárabe between Granada and Mérida. I was about 2 or 3 days out from Mérida and a cyclist scared the life out of me by stopping abruptly yelling, "hola peregrina!" snapped a foto of the two of us and sped off! He was the first and only pilgrim I encountered during the entire Camino.Cyclists typically get off their bikes and say hi (I met a friend of Ender’s that way on the Torres!).
I would recommend "Buen Camino" if you aren't that interested in talking to them at that particular time. If they are interested in talking to you at that time, they may make a remark, such as "how do you like your hiking shoes".Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
Yah. Sometimes they just say, "you go ahead." That's cool too.As the slower walker, I handle it this way when I don't want company:
I hear you coming.
I step to the side of the trail, stop, look at you, look away, and wish you Buen Camino as you go by.
If you mistake that for an invitation to stop and chat, you'll get about three sentences before I either sit down or turn away from you and take a drink as I wave/ wish you Buen Camino/ goodbye.
If I'm passing you while you're stopped, I may ask if you're OK "Tu eres bien? Soy enfermera". If you're fine, again, Buen Camino, and I move on.
That tends to handle about 99% of cultural considerations.
You would want to use ¿(Tú) Estás bien?, not ¿Eres bien? since estás (estar) is for temporary states of being, like illness, injury, tiredness, etc. and Eres (ser) is for permanent traits like height, intelligence, etc.If I'm passing you while you're stopped, I may ask if you're OK "Tu eres bien? Soy enfermera"
De nada, but it's por tu ayuda.Muchas gracias para tu ayuda.
Wait are you sick? Sorry... it would have worked. I think your spanish is just barely worse than mine. I always screw up the words. One time i was describing my beautiful older sister and I said, "ella es una reina de la cama". It should have been "cara". HUUUUUUGE difference.Soy enfermera
Soy enfermera
Wait are you sick?
See, I told you.She said " I am a nurse."
I am sick is "estoy enferma."
But no soy una experta en hablar español.
You know thisI am sick is "soy enferma."
Absolutely! After a few minutes of chatting, in most cases, one or the other of us would say either "I think I'll walk ahead, hasta luego" or "I walk slowly, so please go ahead." Either way, we would take the hint.There is quite a big difference between a brief friendly exchange in passing and deliberately falling in step with someone for a longer walk though.
That would be a loud and clear messageI step to the side of the trail, stop, look at you, look away, and wish you Buen Camino as you go by.
If you mistake that for an invitation to stop and chat, you'll get about three sentences before I either sit down or turn away from you and take a drink as I wave/ wish you Buen Camino/ goodbye.
You know thisbut it should be "estoy enferma" unless maybe you have a chronic condition.
That, you can live with. Just don't be embarazada!¡Tengo vergüenza!
Now, embarazado is also one i've used incorrectly (thinking it meant embarrassed). Thanks for the help here.Yes, embarrassing after I pointed that out earlier!
¡Tengo vergüenza!
At my age it would be a medical miracle!That, you can live with. Just don't be embarazada!
As a slow walker, where most people pass me, I normally say Buen Camino, then follow up with something in english.Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
If you can see my ear buds, you are walking towards me not approaching from behind, and it will be tough to see them even then (a complaint my wife expresses often). I likely won't be listening to music, though, but Spanish.On ANY trail, it can be tough to not scare people as you approach from behind. I usually try to see their ears first to see if they're wearing ear phones. If they're listening to music, it takes A LOT more noise to warn them that you're there.
If you are the slowest walker on one of the less travelled routes, you will also very likely be the faster walker on the stage that day. Or at least the second fastest one.As a slow walker, where most people pass me,
I have never been asked "Do you want to walk together"?
Says a lot about me, I guess
And that works? Maybe a hundred times, I’ve rang the bike bell, hollered bicycle in two or three languages, with no sign of response, slowed down to their speed to creep past, only to have them jump as if I had collided with them.Before I even pass another pilgrim I try to be working on basic etiquette. I don't generally make a lot of noise and am now (mostly) aware of that. I have scared the bejesus out of many an unsuspecting fellow walker/hiker/pilgrim while passing them. So I cough a bit or I hum or whistle a silly tune to alert someone I'm on my way. Things go way smoother now.
I acknowledge them with a greeting. If they want to talk they most likely will say something back. If they are struggling, I might ask if they are ok and assist if asked.Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
And that works? Maybe a hundred times, I’ve rang the bike bell, hollered bicycle in two or three languages, with no sign of response, slowed down to their speed to creep past, only to have them jump as if I had collided with them.
Many people these days use ear buds to listen to Books on Tape or music. One time I was coming up on a guy on the Appalachian Trail. He had ear buds in and was listening to Rock music. The music was so loud I could hear what song was playing (from his ear buds). By the time I got close to him I was yelling...he didn't respond. When I passed him, he was so STARTLED I thought his eyes were about to POP OUT OF HIS HEAD! I've never seen someone who was that startled in my life. Like he'd just seen a ghost. Sometimes there's just no way to pass someone without scaring them.And that works? Maybe a hundred times, I’ve rang the bike bell, hollered bicycle in two or three languages, with no sign of response, slowed down to their speed to creep past, only to have them jump as if I had collided with them.
My husband and I have done two remote Caminos, one from Lisbon to Porto (and beyond) and another in France from Carcassonne to SJPDP. My experience on the remote Camino is that I get excited when I see another Pilgrim and I always would like to say something, have some sort of short conversation with them. That doesn’t mean I want to walk with them, but I want to do more than just pass by without acknowledgment that we are fellow pilgrims on the road. Of course you have to take your cue from the other person as well.Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
I sometimes think we can overthink this going for a walk with a backpack on thing. . .Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
"If you can't be with the one you love...then love the one you're with."I sometimes think we can overthink this going for a walk with a backpack on thing. . .
The idea was how not to startle someone as you approach from behind and pass them.Ear buds are the sign that the person doesn't want to talk to anybody. I will leave them alone on Camino or local footpaths.
As for me, I'd rather listen to the birds, wind and sounds of bubbling stream.
Every time I go on Camino I promise my wife it isn't like that."If you can't be with the one you love...then love the one you're with."
I think if you look back to the original post, you'll find it is less about not startling someone and more about whether they are open to engagement in a chat, short or long.The idea was how not to startle someone as you approach from behind and pass them.
But yes, if they don't take their ear buds out once they see you...it will be a short encounter.
I often think the same. But as someone above has pointed out, when you can't be out walking it's nice to be able to discuss it, and plan the next one. Frankly if overthinking this thing didn't exist this web forum would be a hollow shell of itself...I sometimes think we can overthink this going for a walk with a backpack on thing. . .
Quite right. I was merely soliciting thoughts from others about how they behave when they encounter a fellow pilgrim on a very quiet camino.I think if you look back to the original post, you'll find it is less about not startling someone and more about whether they are open to engagement in a chat, short or long.
I often think the same. But as someone above has pointed out, when you can't be out walking it's nice to be able to discuss it, and plan the next one. Frankly if overthinking this thing didn't exist this web forum would be a hollow shell of itself...
Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
That may be another cultural difference. Whether you should use two fingers or just the one when you signal....Though a handful are clearly not that good at reading the signals.
That may be another cultural difference. Whether you should use two fingers or just the one when you signal....
Though a handful are clearly not that good at reading the signals.
Or they may be on the autistic spectrum and not good at reading the signals. There are lots of good people in that situation. In which case, giving them one or two fingers won't be helpful. Either they won't understand it. Or they will and will be hurt by the unjustified insult.That may be another cultural difference. Whether you should use two fingers or just the one when you signal....
Of course I was being facetious. Even in the face of an unwelcome personal encounter I would not offer a deliberate personal insult. I would instead try to find a non-confrontational way to make it clear that I wished to be alone.Or they may be on the autistic spectrum and not good at reading the signals. There are lots of good people in that situation. In which case, giving them one or two fingers won't be helpful. Either they won't understand it. Or they will and will be hurt by the unjustified insult.
Or they may be on the autistic spectrum and not good at reading the signals. There are lots of good people in that situation. In which case, giving them one or two fingers won't be helpful. Either they won't understand it. Or they will and will be hurt by the unjustified insult.
You could also just be explicitly and politely clear as to your preferences.
Just sayin'.
Odd coincidence - my own son is also autistic. A late diagnosis after a difficult time in mainstream education. In an almost stereotypical move he is now a successful software developer.BTW, I have an adult autistic son, so am particularly aware of this!
Say hello, see if they speak your language. If not just move on after a departing smile, otherwise you'll soon work out each other's walking pace and privacy requirements. Some very long and lonely stretches on VDLP so company would generally be accepted !Help me out with some basic etiquette. I walked the CF last spring, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ll be walking the VDLP in April, and I know I will see far fewer pilgrims when I’m walking. I’m wondering what others do in this situation: you slowly catch up with another pilgrim while walking. Let’s assume a solo pilgrim and you’re also alone. It’s not someone you’ve met previously. Do you walk past them, saying Buen Camino and continue walking past them, or do you slow your pace and walk along side them? It seems almost intrusive to suddenly be walking with them, essentially uninvited. But on the other hand perhaps some would perceive it to be rude if I was to pass them without slowing to walk with them for a bit.
Again, I’m thinking about the VDLP specifically here, as I think the lack of pilgrims might create a different vibe than what there is on the CF.
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