[HorribleAesthete]

When I'm out shopping and stuff I walk like I'm on a freaking mission -- get out of my way!!

It depends on the situation. When I am out shopping, I have a list in hand and a goal in mind. I move quickly. In malls, I walk even faster because I want to get the hell out of a place that's so packed with people. It grates on my nerves, and it feels like things are spinning past me, so I pick what I need and leave.

I am definitely with both of you on this one. When I am shopping I know exactly what I want, I go directly to get it, and then leave as quickly as possible. Also, Hazel, I love your signature quote, the one by Mansur Al-Hallaj. Kinda reminds me of the “Thou art that” notion from Hinduism, or the “Thou art god“ notion form Heinlein‘s Stranger in a Strange Land.

I think I tend to walk at a moderate speed, I do get irritated with people who are slowly ambling. If I am going to slow down (to think about something or look at something, etc) I will pull myself out of the line of traffic.

I am exactly the same, except for the moderate speed bit. I wouldn’t say I run, but I have a certain minimum speed, and it is somewhat faster than moderate. I mean, I honestly understand that some people simply have nothing better to do, I just wish they could do it faster.

I walk at a very fast, very purposeful rate. I hate people getting in my way, and I hate dawdling, even if I don't actually need to be anywhere.

Same here. Even worse are people walking slowly in front of me, and then turning suddenly because they see something shiny, thus causing me to stumble over them.

But I still REALLY want to hit "slow walkers" in the back of the head when I get stuck behind them. Especially when it's an entire posse of people together who feel it's necessary to all walk side-by-side at a snail's pace, while also taking up the ENTIRE walkway. Ugh!

I feel exactly the same and have considered carrying a stick or cattle-prod specifically for that purpose. It is even worse worse with a long line on both sides coming and going, all ambling along so you cannot get around.


For me it is about anticipation vs. reaction. With a sufficient degree of attentiveness and even an hint of spatial awareness, one should be able to observe far enough ahead to anticipate possible collisions and conflicts. And one should still be able to fully take in and process one's surroundings at the same time. Maybe it is an NJ think, a constant weeding out of things you are already familiar with (a series of stores all selling the same things, cars, people, etc. commonplace things that require no processing), so you can focus on and quickly analyse and absorb the very rare new data that might come along (i.e. a piano falling from a rooftop).

[Dalien]

I tend to walk steadily like I have a purpose. Come to think of it, I suppose it is at a quick pace.

Put me out in nature and I don't really have a pattern to my walking...I might zig and zag, meander, almost trot, barely move, forget to walk and plop down.

At work, my boss has asked me, "In a hurry?" I answer, " Yes, I have work to do."

When I'm flustered, I sail. When I'm angry, you can't catch up with me. It's best to not catch up with me. I think this is part of my cooling down...using physical energy up. I do have times where I move slower...need to be in a really mellow mood to do this.

As for shopping: Shopping is not my favorite sport, unless I'm at the book store or the paper & pen isle. These places I can get lost. Back to walking...My pace is quick and I can weave through the people with ease. I have patience with slow people, but I do look further searching for an escape route! Yet, there are times I have walked right into someone else, bumped shelves/displays, or walked so quickly that I blow right past where I'm going! When I'm with others and shopping, I will take off without warning leaving them standing there talking to their selves. I don't carry a list; I don't write them. So, therefore, I simply must go after what I'm getting, before I forget! For the most part, I have noticed that people will move for me when I'm doing my quick walk. I have, also, noticed that people do pay attention to me as I'm going; I think it has to do with my intensity. I, also, get people who talk to me when I'm deciding on a product. I remain patient and talk some, but really feel like moving. Just a week or so ago, I was shopping at Wal-Mart with my parents. There are a lot of people where I live...it is city like. My parents are very slow walkers. We came to an intersection of isles~~two isles meeting with a wider center isle that had displays on either side of the two isles meeting. Wouldn't you know it there was a people traffic jam! Everyone was trying to be curteous with their carts. I hung back closer to a center isle display. I, actually, had to turn this way and that, in order to keep from getting sideswiped by a cart. Out of the blue, I said with a smile on my face, "I would disappear if I could!" Whelp, this cracked the people up that heard me. I flew as soon as I could break away! That was quite tedious, and I was actually very serious about my disappearing remark! People that know me say, "Man, you are hard to keep track of." I usually respond with, "Yeah, I have a hard time keeping track of me too."

[saruno]

Yes, I walk with purpose and with confidence. My awareness (Se maybe?) takes over when I know where I'm going. I'm usually still if I don't know where I'm going. And I walk in in pure wander when I am in awe of a beautiful place.

[Skios]

My pace tends to reflect my mood more. Most of the time if I'm walking alone I'm more thoughtful and tend to walk more slowly. If I'm in a different state of mind or I'm with friends, though, I do tend to walk more purposefully.