thoughts on walking home at night

[Niccolo_Macchiavelli]

I like beeing out at night. It's somehow my "day"time. Even though the streets have become a wee more dangerous as there has been more (reported) mugging and molesting. it never hit me though. I'm often walking home at night from friends.

The routes i frequent are, allthough sparsely lighted, partially very good "ambush" roads with woods, underpasses and alike. I'm used to walk and if i know my route and my goal i'm quite a fast pedestrian.

Some of the oddest experiences is when i happen to cross or catch up with a women at night.

on catching up...

The most simple thing would be just to overtake and a "get well home" en passant. However this does not work. If i enter a certain range closing up she augments the speed and if i augment it as well she does again etc etc. until she ends up running in panic (which happened to me once, i figured out simple overtaking doesn't work then)If i can, i change the roadside because i hate to be slowed on my cold dark way home, but this ain't always possible.

on crossing

well it's sort of another situation. because even if either party slows down you eventually have to cross. sometimes the anxiety is so feelable and visible. Is he a god guy or a bad guy, is someone else near? can someone see me? could someone hear me? were i could i run off to? those thoughts are so visible. but eventually the climax of fear arrives we cross and thats it.

I give "silent escorts" from time to time. This means for me i'm staying at a perceived safe distance (merely in eye contact) until the "precarious" places are passed or even up to the house door. It's a gift you don't get a thanks for because you are the only one to know that is was given. it causes the warm feeling having done something nice to somoene though.

until now the ways have been peaceful. but perhaps one day someone will be glad the way was beeing watched, one never knows.


dudes and dudettes walking at night what are your thoughts?

[MissHoneychurch]

1. I try to not walk home at night

and if I have to I try to stay out of areas which I know aren't that safe.



That said, it is good to see you :hi:

[NMMNG]

2. I have to walk the streets at night as part of my job

I'm required to do rounds of five houses at least four times a night, a half-mile circuit total. The neighborhood is not the safest with at least one convicted sex-offender and who knows what other shady sorts living here. I walk fast, keep my eyes searching, listen carefully, and carry pepper spray.

One time when I was walking down the street a pickup truck suddenly pulled over. Instantly I took two steps further away from the curb and my finger went on the pepper spray trigger. The guy put down the passenger side window and asked "Are you ok out here?". It was certainly not what I had expected. I smiled, thanked him and explained that I was fine, and just walking back to my place of employment.

Another time I was walking and suddenly heard fast footsteps and heavy breathing coming up behind me. Startled, I pivoted and saw a man walking his dog--the dog was the heavy breather. They passed me and all was back to normal for me.

Unfortunately, being a woman walking alone at night I feel the need to have an instinctual distrust of any strange man I encounter as a matter of self-preservation. I only wish the world were different, as I hate having to do so.

[caty]

3. Since we are

human "animals", we are born with certain instincts. The fact that you are asking this question shows that your survival instinct is active. I would avoid walking home after dark. But, if you must, be very careful. I carry a pepper spray that is on my key ring. I've never had to use it--and hope I never will--but, it make me feel a tad bit safer.
When you are walking home, keep your head up and keep looking around from side to side and even look behind you. Show that you are aware of what is going on around you. If you can, don't carry a purse. Put what you need in your pockets. Purses are just too tempting sometimes. Be careful.

[emmajane67]

4. I wrote a big post but lost it.

I walk home at night alone, always have always will. Have done this in places from rural NZ to South America to Sydney to London.
Never have had a problem. Have had free rides home or people walking me where I need to go.
Act confident. If you are scared you shouldn't do it.
Wearing pants and putting a coat hood up are helpful as people passing might think you are a man.
Also having a glass bottle in one hand would make a good weapon if needed.
Talking to a friend on a cell might help too. That's what I do when I walk through this dodgy area in the dark for work. If someone wants to steal my phone they are welcome to it. It might stop them trying to take something else and if something bad happens a friend can alert someone immediately.
Take the route past the 24 hour stores if poss. Someone is alert and awake and can help if (god firbid) you need it.

Most people are good people.
I will not and should not have to live in fear of anyone.

[Niccolo_Macchiavelli]

5. we don't have 24 h stores here...

the gas stations close at 22.00 the last public transportation is depending on route 23.45 to 0.30. From then it's car, taxi or per pedes...

in our friends circle it's common, we escort our female friends to the door, since almost none has a car, even if it leaves oneself walking home alone for an hour.

the night can be so beautiful so magic, be it the stars, a tight mist, rain or snow... it's a pity one can't enjoy it without fear, having to assume a menace as soon someone is appearing who is bigger or more than yourself.

i feel well outside at night and i wish more could.

[lovelaureng]

6. Here are my thoughts,

a big stick, carry one.

[ForrestGump]

7. I'm a night walker...put in thousands of miles in several countries

What you wrote is what I could have written. It's a whole other world. I've walked through bad areas, once protected by the luck of the ignorant (often didn't know they were especially bad areas) and then perhaps by my size, intent, and conviction that I will be okay. Mostly, it's just me and the pussycats, though they're better adapted for their nocturnal world than I am.

Encountering a solo woman -- sometimes even in daylight -- can be awkward, whether I'm behind her or we meet head-on, and every time I do I feel some guilt, like I was about to do something wrong, and I curse the sick f***s who created and perpetuate that dynamic.

Most of the time, it's just me and the night. I usually feel at home. Had a few freaky moments, but it's usually okay and the walk provides opportunity for reflection and problem-solving, day or night. I used to ride motorcycles a lot at night -- haven't ridden mine for the sheer ride in a while, but I do often run my errands on it after sundown -- and I've done a lot of night dives around the world (usually keep my flashlight off for most of the dive), sailed and otherwise boated at night plenty of times, run at night by preference, as well as walked through antipodean bush, jungle, desert, and mountains at night. A confirmed nocturnophile, I guess.