How do you greet a passing hiker?

[1azarus]

First I want cyber credit for posting "hail and cuben fiber!" In the humor forum instead of in the tarp forum. Second, I want to try out some of these greetings... Especially "hello crabby"... And third, I want to imitate a moderator and remind you all that this is the humor forum, so keep your serious posts in the straight forward forum where they belong!

[Sarcasm the elf]

First I want cyber credit for posting "hail and cuben fiber!" In the humor forum instead of in the tarp forum. Second, I want to try out some of these greetings... Especially "hello crabby"... And third, I want to imitate a moderator and remind you all that this is the humor forum, so keep your serious posts in the straight forward forum where they belong!

You take not being serious too seriously...

[Just Bill]

I typically lead with a wink or a smile, usually both.
To break the tension I tend to go with something like, "Well you know what they say, 'You won't see a soul all day until…'"


Then I finish peeing, straighten my skirt and offer a handshake.


I don't get a lot of handshakes but on the plus side I've never contracted norovirus either.

[1azarus]

I typically lead with a wink or a smile, usually both.
To break the tension I tend to go with something like, "Well you know what they say, 'You won't see a soul all day until…'"


Then I finish peeing, straighten my skirt and offer a handshake.


I don't get a lot of handshakes but on the plus side I've never contracted norovirus either.

see, now this is a good post. Flirts with being serious, then brings it home. Learn from example.

[AO2134]

Hello.... , it's me . . .
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet
. . . .
Hello, can you hear me
. . . .
Hello from the other side
I must have called a thousand times
. . . .
Hello from the outside
At least I can say that I've tried
. . . .
Hello, how are you
It's so typical of me to talk about myself I'm sorry
I hope that you're well
. . . .
So hello from the other side (other side)
. . . .
Hello from the outside (outside)
At least I can say that I've tried (I've tried)
. . . .
Hello ....

[gbolt]

If passing them Same direction, "On your left" then I watch them piss they're pants because that didn't know I was there, or if they stop I pass, hold my breath to stop wheezing and act tough, or if they move left, I slip right. Of course if their back side is worth looking at... I just enjoy the view and don't say a word. I may not pass them all day. Call it inspiration. Funny thing is, I never let up to check male or female, why ruin it.

If they are passing me same direction, "A-hole" comes to mind but I don't say it, they're already beating me in pace so why let them beat me with punches.

If passing opposite direction and they are going downhill, I stop and say, "Dang, your way looks easier" or "I knew I should have planned to go that direction".

If passing the opposite direction and I am going downhill, "Good Luck, I'm sure glad I chose to go this direction".

Many times I don't say anything first... After all, I read all the threads in Whiteblaze so I don't have any questions or need any suggestions. I already have all the answers!

[Gambit McCrae]

How do you greet a passing hiker?

Rest in Peace ol hiker?

OOPS wrong kind of passing

[Sarcasm the elf]

I just realized that this post is about greeting a "passing" hiker, I'm more interested in how I should greet a failing hiker. How do I tell a passing hiker from a failing hiker at first glance anyway?

[Kaptainkriz]

I haven't got a square to spare...

[Puddlefish]

I do that with my dog, and did so a few days ago on the Timp-Torne trail between Timp and West Mountain. My dog was not on a leash, as usual, because he stays with me always and never, ever chases anything, not even chipmunks or frogs. So a guy approaches on a crossing trail, pruners in hand, doing trail maintenance. I give him a big smile and say something like "Oh you're one of those wonderful people who keep the trails so tidy — thank you!!" To which he responds in a very loud and nasty tone, glaring at my dog, "LEASH???" and then sauntered on saying not another word.

Might have been me. I couldn't take my dog hiking, because freaking no one else in the world leashes their dog on the trail clearly marked "Leash your dog." Dogs have their own way of establishing social order among themselves, and sometimes it involves aggression. Of course, everyone thinks their dog is a special snowflake, who wouldn't hurt a fly. They're completely clueless that maybe my dog is the one that bites other dogs, and then I'm doing the complicated dance on the trail trying to keep two snarling dogs apart. Yeah, I'm a bit bitter.

I usually just say Hello to most people, then will idly chat if they express an interest. Most people just really want to enjoy the isolation, including myself.

[BirdBrain]

From a distance. I usually smell worse than a passing or passed hiker.

[egilbe]

I love watching those taut, tight buttocks of the female hikers pass me by. So beautiful and strong. I try not to stare...

I usually say hello. It seems to work ok

[rdljr]

Ask, elevator would not work for you to?

[George]

one of my favorites when passing a hang dog looking boy scout or other youngster: "don't worry, it is all uphill from here"

[Dogwood]

How do you greet a passing hiker?

If a smiling woman - are you alone, single, NICE pack, you've been working out?

Fat middle aged man or obvious day hiker when I'm not getting the calories I need - bear got my food, do you have any extra?

Andrew Skurka, Matt Kirk, or Scott Jurek - are you....? where ya goin? Wait.

Smelly disheveled self important non stop mumbling about themselves hiker - indifferent slight nod put in the earbuds.

UL hiker attempting to get in my way, eyeballing all my gear including touching it, asking about what my kit weighs - oh brother here we go again is my first thought. Oh less than 25 lbs. What does your kit weigh? This is usually what they want to talk about anyway.

Limping male hiker with 80 lb kit on the AT in July - every think about how that size and wt backpack has an affect on that leg?

Fit middle aged male hiker resembling a Crusading Knight with 80 lb kit with Felco Pruners in his hand - Hey, Tipi Walter, how are you? Want to check out my 15 lb kit?

[Sarcasm the elf]

one of my favorites when passing a hang dog looking boy scout or other youngster: "don't worry, it is all uphill from here"

Alight, now that there's funny!

[Sarcasm the elf]

Best greeting I've received:

Me: Morning! How are you?

Older hiker: Well the ground's sitting under my boots and not over my head, so it's a good day.

[Tractor]

If passing at/by a shelter, I might ask when the next bus or train is arriving.

In Vermud or New Hampshire I might have finished with a "Stay Vertical".

If the hiker(s) I meet are obviously not interested in any greeting method I might not say anything at all.

Some other times, a general "Great day for a hike" maybe...

If it's raining, "Great day for a hike" maybe....

If they are running, I seem to talk to myself again

[Tractor]

....and sometimes we both pass at the same time. No harm, no foul.

[Tractor]

...well....the foul part, but we are both moving away.....