Mr_Ross_Duncan
Via Gebennensis, Portuguese, Via Francigena, GR65,
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Via Gebennensis, Portuguese, Via Francigena, GR65,
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Really? I am going so slow these days that I'm happy to let everyone pass. But slowing down and stopping? Perhaps on a narrow stretch of path for a cyclist. I believe that the onus is on the person or persons overtaking to be courteous and offer a greeting, not the other way around. I might also match their speed for a short distance to chat briefly and then fall back, but I don't see why I should constantly interrupt the flow of my walk every time someone wants to pass. That's not courtesy in my book, and trying to suggest it is doesn't wash with me.There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
As I come up behind them, I give them a few seconds to register my presence. If they don't realise I'm there, or do realise & just don't make any attempt to allow an overtake, then a simple 'excuse me, may I please pass?' is all that is ever needed.
The most effective & sometimes maybe only thing required is a smile...that is universal.I usually just say "Buen Camino" when I am close enough for the other person to hear me. I may slow down for a moment to say hello and ask how they are, but not always.
It also feels like a continuous losing battle.Having such etiquette expectations only seems like it will increase your stress and no one else’s. There’s plenty of room for all of us all the Camino without thinking new rules are needed.
Once you decide how other people should behave you are doomed.It also feels like a continuous losing battle.
I agree completely. I am on my 3 rd Camino and have brought my 16 year old son with me. We have just been following your practice as this is what I found worked for me (and he just followed my example). The other day he was the one who commented on the fact that some walkers do not seem to do this. Also commenting on how this can meddle with your pace and rythm if you are trying to pass on an uneven ledge etc. So its not only “old so and so’s” who share your sentimentI've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
I just say 'Excuse me' and I pass. Sometimes people don't see that there is someone behind...I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
Per Shakespeare....Much Ado About NothingI've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
I agree completely with you. I will always politely say perdoneme and (unless I know they are English speakers and say excuse me), Never have a problem and I continue my rhythm. If they don't respond I will sometimes touch their arm or shoulder and motion I want to pass. I will say my buen camino also. Unless someone tries to engage me in conversation which doesn't happen often I am on my way.Really? I am going so slow these days that I'm happy to let everyone pass. But slowing down and stopping? Perhaps on a narrow stretch of path for a cyclist. I believe that the onus is on the person or persons overtaking to be courteous and offer a greeting, not the other way around. I might also match their speed for a short distance to chat briefly and then fall back, but I don't see why I should constantly interrupt the flow of my walk every time someone wants to pass. That's not courtesy in my book, and trying to suggest it is doesn't wash with me.
Sounds similar to the intimidating road rage experienced occasionally on the Interstate when traveling.stay behind you in an intimidatory fashion hoping to force you to move to one side or the other
Sounds similar to the intimidating road rage experienced occasionally on the Interstate when traveling.
I could have written your post myself, but I still get nervous. I always keep to my speed, but if I can get out of their way I do, and breathe a sigh of relief when they wiz on by.Exactly! I must say that in the past I got very nervous and started to drive faster. Now I just keep my cool and keep to my speed. Really annoys the driver behind me. And then he overtakes me at a certain point, gaining only a couple of metres because at the next traffic light he is just in front of me. And then he has to wait of course because he can't overtake the garbage truck.
Sweet joy!
Oh dear, I got a rush of unpleasant adrenaline just reading that. Please don't tap on the arm or shoulder if you want to pass. Touching someone else, especially when they don't see it coming, is likely to produce a fear response in many, and an anger response in most of the rest.... I will always politely say perdoneme and (unless I know they are English speakers and say excuse me), Never have a problem and I continue my rhythm. If they don't respond I will sometimes touch their arm or shoulder and motion I want to pass...
This is a good definition for judging others...sometimes I am guilty.Once you decide how other people should behave you are doomed.
You sound like a real gentleman.As a slow solo walker then I can hear anyone coming especially as I don't have any earphones (if that is what they are called) stopping me from hearing the birds/nature. I will take pleasure in stepping to the side to let someone pass normally with a Buen Camino, a Hi, or just a raise of my hand in acknowledgment - they are happy and so am I. In the unusual situation where I am walking faster than the person in front, I will stay a reasonable distance behind until I can see a place ahead where it is possible to pass without inconveniencing the other person. If I stopped and counted to 30 I may cease up and never get going again!
I have never had an angry response but when you call out and the person doesn't respond especially listening to music I have no choice. I have never ONCE had anything negative occur. That is y experience.Oh dear, I got a rush of unpleasant adrenaline just reading that. Please don't tap on the arm or shoulder if you want to pass. Touching someone else, especially when they don't see it coming, is likely to produce a fear response in many, and an anger response in most of the rest.
Well thankfully I've not experienced such insensitive behavior on the trail and I'm more than happy to step aside if I hear someone behind me. But that is not always the case. And since I do walk with poles, be it on the shoulder tapper's head if my visceral reaction is to swing one in their direction.I have never had an angry response but when you call out and the person doesn't respond especially listening to music I have no choice. I have never ONCE had anything negative occur. That is y experience.
I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
Yes. Every time the passing situation arises, one needs to do a lot of calculation and analysis - comparing the different speeds, the incline, the energy I have for accelerating, what language will they speak, have I met them before, will they want to talk, do I feel like talking, how long should eye contact be, etc. Every case requires a slightly different response. This social dance is part of the entertainment/challenge of the Camino - at least the Camino Frances!Too many variables.
Indeed, and it was similar for me on the CP this year.This social dance is part of the entertainment/challenge of the Camino - at least the Camino Frances!
Yes, that must be factored into the original calculation, and updated as the plan is implementeds an aside on annoying overtaking practices there are those that must make some massive effort to speed up and pass, only to run out of puff and slow down as soon as they have got a little way ahead, and block the path as they now are going slower than I am.
@JabbaPapa, absolutely agree with this. I find this to be the 'standard practice' for bushwalking and other walking activities I participate in. The very notion that the OP seems to want to reverse these well established practices to give priority to faster walkers seems most strange.It's not difficult - - when someone comes up behind you, just let them pass unless it's some weird narrow place where that's not feasible ; but if so, then do so at the first possible opportunity.
I somewhat agree with you. However, I will always shift over to the right or left (depending) to let the person pass. I can hear when someone is behind me, unlike some other people. I don’t use headphones as thats not safe, need to be alert. I won’t stop to chitchat as that would slow me down, but will just say “Buen Camino”. It is extremely frustrating when people pretend not to hear another person behind. I am a fast walker myself. Once I came upon a group of few people who refused to move over even after saying Buen Camino , etc ( said excuse me in Spanish, German, English , etc) they just turned to me and ignored and glared. That wasn’t the only time. I am trying to understand what the deal is with some people? Is it competition, is it jealousy or just pure mean? Or is it that some people come from culture that doesn’t emphasize manners and good will. In the end we are all walking towards Santiago, why not just be kind to one another.I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
This is what I was taught for bushwalking on narrow tracks, it just makes it easier for everyone.We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
You sound like a very kind and considerate person to give so much thought to the well- being of others. Although I’m 70 I’m a pretty fast walker and don’t like people close to me when walking. Usually I just pass them with a greeting but sometimes we hit it off and May walk together some distance. The same applies when people pass me.I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
I totally agree on that problem on the last 100 ... or in my case more the last 50 when really large crowds kick in. Especially schoolchildren and the like and it simply congests as often in these larger groups people walk "broad", e.g. 4 or 5 people side by side and several rows deep in formation ... and hence blocking the whole path. That even I thought annoying as these groups are often loud, play music and walk slowly. Squeezing past them always feels like an intrusion into their group.As we tend to walk remote routes this hasn't been much of a problem. We've had nice experiences when a bicyclist will stop and chat with us as they pass, usually because of the novelty of finding some one else out in the wilderness.
But have had a couple of odd times, typically in the last 100km. Passing large groups is almost impossible, they block the path and a conga line develops. If you are lucky the path will widen or they will take a break, otherwise it might be time for you to take a rest and try again later. The worst are morning starts when some stranger decides to tag along with you as they don't have a guide book / torch / water bottle and keep asking you to slow down, or carry their pack for them. I don't mind helping a fellow walker out and have carried an injured pilgrim into town, but I am at a bit of a loss as to how to politely handle someone who has decided to make you their tour guide / porter.
I'm fairly sure that I will not walk the Camino Frances from SJPDP again - too busy for my tastes these days. But I have sometimes thought about starting from Somport, joining the Frances at Puente la Reina and then finishing on the Invierno. Maybe later this year.I solved the problem of the last 100 km for myself when I discovered the Invierno: an alternate route leading from Ponferrada to Santiago.
Funny you should mention that Albertagirl. I was only just having a look at Brierley's guide for both the Camino Sanabres and Camino Invierno (both addressed in the same guide). I purchased hoping he would cover the Sanabres from Granja de Moreruela, but his guide picks it up in Ourense. However, he gives very detailed coverage of the Invierno route...which looks very interesting, and would certainly appeal to those wanting something different on their approach to Santiago. Good luck with your walk this year. Buen Camino!I solved the problem of the last 100 km for myself when I discovered the Invierno: an alternate route leading from Ponferrada to Santiago. It is somewhat longer than the direct route from Ponferrada, but avoids the difficulties of walking to Santiago with the crowds after Sarria by leaving the Frances well before arrival in Sarria. I plan on walking it again this year.
My 2 cents.I have never had an angry response but when you call out and the person doesn't respond especially listening to music I have no choice. I have never ONCE had anything negative occur. That is y experience.
This is the bushwalking practice I am familiar with for narrow tracks, where you wait behind to allow the group in front to reach a place where that track widens enough for them to move aside. This practice is consistent with preserving the natural environment, in this case, by not widening a track by moving off it onto what might be sensitive vegetation. There are a few places on the various caminos that I have walked that might be that narrow. So while it is an option to hang back from time to time, it seems to me that most of the time there was ample room for me to move to one side of the path to let others pass without stopping.You have the choice to patiently hang back and wait to time your pass at the next available place.
Absolutely! If I walk faster than people in front of me they usually step aside and I do the exact same if someone is coming faster behind me. I don’t understand the problemAfter 12 years of walking Caminos I have found this a non-issue. I walk faster than most and I've always found that pilgrims step aside when they hear me coming from behind. If they don't hear me then I just say pardon or buenos días.
I tell them, with a smile on my face, that I need to walk alone. If they persist, I stop walking, give them my undivided attention until they shut up, and repeat, ‘I need to walk alone’.but I am at a bit of a loss as to how to politely handle someone who has decided to make you their tour guide / porter.
I tell them, with a smile on my face, that I need to walk alone. If they persist, I stop walking, give them my undivided attention until they shut up, and repeat, ‘I need to walk alone’.
Has anyone else noted that our OP hasn’t been back?
That would be tough to do especially on the subway during rush hourMy 2 cents.
You have the choice to patiently hang back and wait to time your pass at the next available place.
Nothing negative... yet. Times are changing. I would never touch someone unbeknownst to them.
Or at San Fermin.That would be tough to do especially on the subway during rush hour
Where I live you are expected and even required to pull over if you are driving slow and holding up traffic.As on the road when I drive, I would not pull over just because the car behind wants to get past
We encountered someone on a narrow stretch who actually banged his walking poles on the ground to ‘demand’ space to overtake on a very narrow stretch. For me - part of Camino is accepting what lies ahead of us on the path…..surely that applies to being courteous to others too?
It's certainly common practise where I live to pull over and let faster vehicles pass.Where I live you are expected and even required to pull over if you are driving slow and holding up traffic.
The pole banging does sound rude, but courtesy does go both ways.
If there is a shoulder to pull over on. I prefer to let vehicles pass if at all possible and it is not a compromising, dangerous situation.It's certainly common practise where I live to pull over and let faster vehicles pass.
Lol this is really getting off track but like a lot of threads just comes down to basic courtesy. What about those cyclists ?If there is a shoulder to pull over on. I prefer to let vehicles pass if at all possible and it is not a compromising, dangerous situation.
Good points - I guess that would lead to having to define ‘slow’ on the path. We walk about 3mph on flat ground, about 2 mph uphill. In the situation I described we had already moved over to allow the couple to pass us once, they then stopped to take pictures, then caught up with us again on a narrow path with a steep drop to one side. This was the stick-banging stretch - but we continued at our 3mph pace until there was a safe space to pass. To stretch the analogy further - and with tongue partly in cheek - on our roads this tailgating behaviour is illegal.Where I live you are expected and even required to pull over if you are driving slow and holding up traffic.
The pole banging does sound rude, but courtesy does go both ways.
I ring my bell, I loudly say “bicycle, bicicleta,” slow down to their speed, and slowly creep past them—and they jump as if I was a roadside bomb. Walking, I have never had any problem passing or being passed by cyclist or walker.Lol this is really getting off track but like a lot of threads just comes down to basic courtesy. What about those cyclists ?
Hi. You certainly know that everyone is different; for me, I have much more of a difficult time slowing down/stopping, then trying to regain my cadence thereafter--due to my age (64), asthma, bad knee, (carrying 10kg) etc., etc. Still, yesterday I did 21.1km in 2hr 51min (and 27 seconds!). When I do the same distance--adding elevation (650+ m), it takes (me) about 3 1/2 hours. I'm a VERY sociable person, but regularly pausing would be detrimental (to me).The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
3 mph is definitely not a slow Camino pace. Those pilgrims sound annoying.Good points - I guess that would lead to having to define ‘slow’ on the path. We walk about 3mph on flat ground, about 2 mph uphill. In the situation I described we had already moved over to allow the couple to pass us once, they then stopped to take pictures, then caught up with us again on a narrow path with a steep drop to one side. This was the stick-banging stretch - but we continued at our 3mph pace until there was a safe space to pass. To stretch the analogy further - and with tongue partly in cheek - on our roads this tailgating behaviour is illegal.
I am one of those who jumps out of my skin - most people over 50 have a degree of hearing loss - many wear hearing aids. The high notes, like bells, are generally lost first. Ears are not well designed to pickup sound from behind - often I have heard ‘something’ but by the time I look around the bike is right behind Me - I often wonder if some cyclists think a bell is a walker teleport mechanism…. it takes time to register the sound, understand what it is, and then to move. In that time most cuclists have caught up…. and so it goes on.I ring my bell, I loudly say “bicycle, bicicleta,” slow down to their speed, and slowly creep past them—and they jump as if I was a roadside bomb. Walking, I have never had any problem passing or being passed by cyclist or walker.
Only once have I encountered actual rudeness. That was a group of Italians side by side, enough of them for their row to go the full width of the path (which happened to be car width at that place). I was biking the other way, so it was obvious that they knew I was there but did not intend to make a gap. I stopped and waited until they were forced to make a gap to get past me. Refrained from saying anything. Maybe I should have (I’m A1 in Italian).
True, that. But I've noticed the phenomenon in all ages. By the way, I'm 68.I am one of those who jumps out of my skin - most people over 50 have a degree of hearing loss -
I ring my bell, I loudly say “bicycle, bicicleta,” slow down to their speed, and slowly creep past them—and they jump as if I was a roadside bomb. Walking, I have never had any problem passing or being passed by cyclist or walker.
Only once have I encountered actual rudeness. That was a group of Italians side by side, enough of them for their row to go the full width of the path (which happened to be car width at that place). I was biking the other way, so it was obvious that they knew I was there but did not intend to make a gap. I stopped and waited until they were forced to make a gap to get past me. Refrained from saying anything. Maybe I should have (I’m A1 in Italian).
I've also (when walking) been passed by many cyclists. Maybe half give warning. The other half, it's (usually) where the path is wide enough for them to pass some distance away.You are one of the rare cyclists who has a bell or actually slows down. Thank you.
The absence of such a useful and inexpensive safety device is glaringly apparent to us as we are currently on the CF.
We all have choices and visceral reactions. Buen caminoWell thankfully I've not experienced such insensitive behavior on the trail and I'm more than happy to step aside if I hear someone behind me. But that is not always the case. And since I do walk with poles, be it on the shoulder tapper's head if my visceral reaction is to swing one in their direction.
this is extremely high maintenance and not necessary in the slightest.I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
When I was an enlisted man in the US Navy, there was a procedure for overtaking and passing a commissioned officer while walking. One would pass on the left, say "by your leave, sir" and salute. With or without the salute, a greeting and a smile has always worked for me on the Camino.I've been hesitating about posting this thread. The risk of sounding like a cranky old so and so is too high, stirring up the community and getting nasty responses, (even in capitals) but here goes nothing.
Deep breath.
My wife and I have just finished the GR65, along with the short Via Francigena section through Switzerland, they are our fourth and fifth "Camino" walks, so we have a few kilometres under the boots now.
One of the continuing annoyances we seem to strike daily is the overtaking étiquette.
We have a policy, if somebody comes up behind us, we stop, say hello, smile, make a bit of small talk and (this is the important bit) pause, count to 30 as they move off, then continue on our way.
It's amazing how far somebody can get ahead in those 30 or so seconds.
Certainly far enough that we can all enjoy our walks in our own space.
The etiquette issue arises when we come up behind somebody, a group or single walkers, and they don't follow the same courtesy of letting us past.
The extra physical effort needed of passing through and getting a comfortable distance ahead can be surprisingly high.
On the recent GR65 we had multiple times when we would slowly slowly slowly catch up on a group or a couple of walkers only to finally join up and have to add in some quite difficult exertion to pass through and get a decent gap.
On the worst case scenario's, we ended up in a dreadful conga-line of walkers, everybody jostling for position on the path.
There's always going to be somebody walking faster or slower than you, so please, for everyone's sake, if someone comes up behind, show a bit of courtesy and let them through, smile, say hello, count to 30, then continue on.
If you do it half a dozen times a day it's only going to cost you a few minutes.
Learned that in the Marines…just drop your voice a couple of octaves so those geezers can hear you! I can say that…I am 78 and deaf as a stump.When I was an enlisted man in the US Navy, there was a procedure for overtaking and passing a commissioned officer while walking. One would pass on the left, say "by your leave, sir" and salute. With or without the salute, a greeting and a smile has always worked for me on the Camino.
Artillery? DMZ '67 '68?Learned that in the Marines…just drop your voice a couple of octaves so those geezers can hear you! I can say that…I am 78 and deaf as a stump.
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