How To Read While Walking (and not hit things)
Posted by elena | Posted in General | Posted on 28-11-2009
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Since moving to Sydney sans automobile, I have embraced public transport, because it means I can double my reading time during the day.
But if you have an addictive personality and need to spend EVERY spare second with your nose in the printed words of literary geniuses, here’s a guide, tested and developed by yours truly, to help you achieve this monumental achievement:
How to read while walking (and not hit things)
1. An brain, untrained, falls mainly on the plain: If you can’t learn to separate your brain into the the section that processes words, while maintaining your peripheral vision, injuries may be afoot.
2. Accept that you may hit things: This could be people, mainly small children who have not yet mastered the art of making their presence known to grown-ups. Sometimes animals, but for the most part, you’re going to trip over drains (sounds impossible but I’ve done it), or walk into garbage bins (although these are on the edge of the footpath – and you really shouldn’t be walking that close to the road if your head is in a book).
3. Don’t listen to an mp3 player: What you’re doing is already risky enough without tuning out the audible world while you absorb yourself.
4. Listen to an mp3 player: A great way to drown out the noises of traffic/other people’s disturbing and private conversations/children screaming.
5. Walk behind someone: It’s easy to keep them in your peripheral and they pretty much act as a snow plough machine for you. Just make sure they have a compatible walking speed.
6. Avoid twisty turns: Most of the time I walk while I’m reading because there are a lot of long, straight roads. Not to say that you can’t turn a corner while reading, but statistics will tell you the more corners you turn, the higher the probability of an accident. (Don’t quote me on that.)
7. The city is for experts: I have been reading while walking for some time now, and I’ve only recently started in the city. This is because people in cities are RUDE and UNAPOLOGETIC and MAY TRY AND TRIP YOU ON PURPOSE.
8. Don’t read while crossing the road: Whenever I do a numbered list post, there’s always one entry that has that ‘duh’ factor. This is it. Kiddies, it’s just not cool…unless you’re at a pedestrian crossing, and have checked right, then left, then right again.
9. Yep, it’s an art that requires practise: Those bruises on your arm, that scratch on your calf, that bump on your head. It’s all for the greater good. Just think, for every injury you may sustain in the process of learning how to read while walking, you’re one step closer to mastering this noble art form.
10. Know when to give up: I hate to finish on such a downer, but really, if you’re having difficulties walking in a straight line, or have had more than three (3) near misses with a car, then you really need to reconsider. Maybe audiobooks are a more appropriate option.
As a fellow Sydneysider I think it’s very brave (and possibly foolish!) of you to read while walking. I’ll stick to reading on the train/bus even with the help of your list :)
@Sarah: Yes I am very foolish! In hindsight, this list isn’t particularly helpful, so you’re wise not to heed its advice.
Awh, this brought an edge of nostalgia to my mind. I’ve not read and walked much since I graduated high school and had to start driving to uni. Great advice though, I’ll definitely tweet this one for general usefulness! :D
@Phill: I saw this guy at traffic lights in his car reading a book while the lights were read. Road rage waiting to happen. So um, glad to hear you don’t read while you drive. Thanks for the tweet :P
I can read and walk (in heels!) and either drink something or highlight/take notes (not both as I don’t have that many hands). I learned to do this because I went to a really big high school that was actually two schools on the same campus and we had classes in both buildings. We had 10 minutes between classes, and I got a lot of reading done on the walk between buildings.
@J.T. Okay you officially win the reading while walking prize. i actually can’t walk in heels at all :P Hurray for multi-tasking!
As someone who has also worked hard to perfect the art of reading while walking, I say bravo on the good tips.
#5 in particular is a trick of the trade that works very well!
I agree, walking & reading at same time is dangerous…LOL I just retired but before R, I would read & walk to & from breaks & lunch at work.
Also, #5 is a great way to do both. I have followed someone before that closed elevator door in my face..LOL But I got the next one up. Ad one time the person in front of me stopped suddenly to speak to someone and there was collision. I have been an avid reader for over 50 yrs so I have had some interesting encounters…
Hi Brenda! Thanks for stopping by :) You sound like an expert on this, maybe I should’ve gotten you to write it. I’ve missed elevators and pedestrian green lights before because I was so absorbed in my books, but survived so far (no collisions…yet).
A amazing amalgamation of poignant points ^^
I think 3 and 4 both fall under the umbrella of “Don’t wear noise-cancelling headphones”, though I fear they both also apply to walking without reading…
While it does not make the walking process any *easier*, walking with one hand free does make it *safer*. Using your thumb and little finger to hold the business end of the pages apart, with fingers 2-4 grasping the meat of the spine, it is possible to keep one entire arm free with which you can attempt to arrest your fall should you mis-step. This spare arm is also fantastic for dealing with those aforementioned small children.
Fantastic post; retweeted!
My favorite is holding someone’s arm (a person I know!) while walking, reading and talking. You have to talk to the person who you’re travelling with, ’cause otherwise it’s just a little rude. But that way, I don’t bump into anything or, as I’ve done before, trip someone else.
Great list! This is an important artform to master.
Jennifer: Oh that is so nice! Thanks for the tip. I don’t know anybody who I can trust enough not to lead me into poles and things :P (I’ve tripped someone else too, it’s mighty embarrassing)
Hey, great list :) My trick is to only read while walking in non-crowded places. Look up, identify a gap, read for 10 seconds, look up again. Not great but reasonably safe…!
Novel Insights: Thanks!! Yep, the non-crowded places is definitely a good tip. There are certain places I walk, particularly in the heart of the city, that are just impossible to read through. The interrupted reading would, I imagine, work mostly for books that are a little easier to digest.