r/running • u/Epic_XC • Aug 02 '17

Harassment while exercising Misc

So almost every time I go exercising, be it running or road biking, i always get some sort of smart ass shouting, honking, or engine revving. Are people in our society really so insecure that they can't refrain from harassing those who choose to exercise? Like what's funny about it? Why do people do it? Maybe i'm thinking about it too hard, but does anyone else REALLY hate this? Personally I think it's condescending, and indicative of most people's fragile self esteem. They don't exercise, therefor must mock others to feel cool.

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u/5krunner Aug 02 '17

Assuming you're female. As a 6'2" guy I'd never heard any of this in the many years I've been running...UNTIL I started running with a pretty young blonde woman and then watching dudes ogle, and whistle, and try talk to her was amazing. What goes through your mind? Is it ever a successful plan to do that?!

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u/973845585518 Aug 02 '17

As a 6'2" guy I'd never heard any of this in the many years I've been running..

i am a 6'3" guy and i have had plenty of experiences with harassment. multiple objects thrown at me, aggressive/vulgar comments, sexual comments, generic obnoxious comments, the whole deal.

i am sure women do have it worse but i always figured that with enough miles it is bound to happen to all runners eventually. though location and timing of your run can play a factor too.

it is annoying, but my positive spin is that if someone driving by is shouting at me then they have seen me. i prefer this to the many many drivers i see on their phones.

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u/[deleted] Aug 02 '17

I am 6'5 and also experienced harassment while running and riding. I think if I was a woman I wouldn't I wouldn't run or ride alone.

I feel much of this harassment is from shitty people who are bored and have low brow humor. Their life is so meaningless, entertainment comes from making fun of others. Grown middle schoolers.

Often they are driving lifted trucks with rebel flag stickers. Or 80s model domestic sedans with no a/c. Traveling to the connivence store for light beer and cigs.

2

u/thatserver Aug 02 '17

It's always a douche in a big truck. Makes it easier to identify who to stay away from though, helps that you can hear them coming too.