Americans should learn to love walking everyday, amirite?

This is true to an extent, but at least in some places, I think people rely too heavily on the "lack of infrastructure" argument as an excuse when they actually just don't want to walk, bike, or take public transit to their destination. I live in an inland-western US city (not west coast), and I almost never need to drive to get to a destination within the city limits. I can walk or ride my bike on one of our many thru-town bike/pedestrian trails, or I can catch a bus that runs at least every 30 minutes. Despite all that, my coworkers (who also all live within easy walking/biking/bus distance from our office) still look at me like I'm crazy when I mention that I don't drive to work.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

When my friend first visited the US in Alabama ,they walked 12 minutes to the nearest Hooters to check it out and the Americans they talked with were either baffled or laughed at them for walking 1 km (0,6 miles). And this seems quite widespread all over the US. Building cities for cars instead of the people does that to a country.

by Money-Display 5 months ago

But for practical walking? I can't get to the grocery store without crossing a busy four lane road. Most walking isn't practical or safe. You're definitely not imagining things, because this is by design. And the irony of the "what about disabled people" argument is that it completely undermines those whose disabilities prevent them from operating an automobile. People with epilepsy can't drive a car, people with visual impairments can't drive a car, people with specific physical impairments can't drive a car, but they still retain the abilities to walk and/or use a bike, or ride transit. But when these options are either unsafe or nonexistent they have no other options for traveling than by driving a car, assuming they don't have anybody else to drive for them. And then we wonder why there are so many "idiots" on the road, so many accidents, and 42,000+ car-related deaths annually in the US alone.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Same, my neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks, I often find broken glass, and dogs are often loose in the area. Would love to live near my workplace in the city but the rent is ridiculous.

by GlitteringBed8929 5 months ago

That or it's a dangerous area. I'm not gonna walk down this sketchy as hell road alone.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I did this throughout college, even after I got a car, and purposely got a job near my college so I could keep riding the bus. But then they canceled the routes I used during pandemic and they still haven't returned. Someday I will return to my beloved bus.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Or be like my agoraphobic mother, walking on a treadmill while binging TV shows lol. Two birds.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

The closest thing to my house is like 7 miles away. I'm not walking to that and then walking back lololol

by Anonymous 5 months ago

That wouldn't be 4000 steps for me. Do you park your car like a mile from your car?

by Anonymous 5 months ago

The average American walks 3-4,000 steps, which means many Americans walk less than that and many walk more than that.

by roobdestini 5 months ago

That seems super low. Walking to my car or mailbox is like 40 steps total. If I wear it just around the house I'm lucky to get 2000 steps if I don't make an effort.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

If you say "americans do [thing]" any sensible person would understand that to not imply "every single american does [thing]", though. Generalizations aren´t used that way colloquially.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

That´s why we should teach kids statistics in school alongside related jargon.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Came to confirm. Generalizations sometimes are just statistically accurate 🤷‍♀️

by Anonymous 5 months ago

absolutes are never good That's an absolute! 😁

by Carmel74 5 months ago

lol I walk miles a day at work 5 days a week and i have a common ass job. no way in hell is the average 4000

by Equivalent-Market738 5 months ago

Do you track your steps? Because it actually is. I've tracked my steps for like 20 years back with the pedometer's you could get for $10 and clip on your pants. An average lazy day is 3000-4000 steps, and if you look at the health of average Americans, it makes complete sense. ETA if you walk "miles" a day at your job, it's not a common ass job. I have a computer job and pretty much sit at the desk for 8 hours.

by Osbornecummings 5 months ago

i wondering if the culture shock is more about how americans don't walk for there commute or in there local area but prefer to drive to a nice walking spot?

by Salt_Outside_6650 5 months ago

Most peoples jobs here are too far from where they live to reasonably walk. It's more practical to drive. Public transport is hit and miss depending on the area

by No-Echo-5332 5 months ago

If we had proper sidewalks in america instead of a small section right next to 40mph traffic that's barely wide enough for two people and places we could actually walk to then more people would be walking.

by Bartellleonie 5 months ago

right off the bat with a generalization Is it an unfair one, though? It´s undeniable that the lifestyle of most western people gets more and more sedentary and people rely more and more on convenience. And you see so many more fat people nowadays than just 10 years ago.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Curious, do you not consider the Bay Area northern CA?

by AffectionateSuit 5 months ago

I was walking at an arboretum today and there were no parking spots when I left. It's literally just a walking path full of Americans

by Anonymous 5 months ago

He's right lol walking lacking movement in general amongst other things is why we are one of the most obese/sedentary developed countries in the world.

by daughertymarcia 5 months ago

I live at the beach in Southern California and I walk 5 miles a day. Most people I know walk on the strand for miles. I don't understand OP's generalization either.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

?? What part of the country are you in?? This is not an issue in all parts of America. Where I am people walk places all the time, it's just that there are some places you cannot safely access on foot.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Maybe some of those people who can't walk what you think is a manageable distance have invisible disabilities. Or maybe they just don't want to do it in the heat before an important interview. Or maybe they recently sprained their ankle and are trying to rest it. Or maybe a whole bunch of other reasons. It's easy for you to judge when you don't know their situation.

by No-Measurement 5 months ago

That's what I was thinking. I have an invisible disability and also asthma. Even just a mile is a lot for me. It's not worth it to be in pain when I get the place I'm going just to save the $10 Uber or whatever.

by ProfessionalKing 5 months ago

Broke my toe and tore some ligaments a month ago. Let's just say that it's been fun dealing with Florida snowbirds now that I have my boot off but still need to sit down somewhere one of them wants to sit.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Dude says he's from America but doesn't take into account weather, rural or city, and health issues..

by zoilaschinner 5 months ago

I lucky have the option between parks or hiking trails but either way I have to drive to them. I live in a rural area and don't want to be walking next to people going 55mph

by zoilaschinner 5 months ago

90% of them are just fat and lazy lmao

by eschimmel 5 months ago

The amount of people that actually have invisible disabilities is painfully small and doesn't really align with the data on how little the average American walks per day

by Anonymous 5 months ago

It's not so rare that those people lack consideration and respect

by No-Measurement 5 months ago

Yeah dude, sure! All of Op's clients all had invisible disabilities for the past couple of years. Totally plausible

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Invisible disabilities, mental disorders, distrust of area, walking in heels, has children that can't walk that far, has to poop and has to clench their legs to keep it in… there's a lot of scenarios.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I'm fortunate enough to have a couple nice parks near me, but some of the places I've lived have been terrible to walk in. No sidewalks, idiot drivers. There wasn't much I could do living there.

by Mozelle33 5 months ago

Americans need walkable neighborhoods first...

by No_Independent_9396 5 months ago

We have them.

by Usual-Tax-3910 5 months ago

Depends on where you live. A lot of places are not pedestrian friendly, or are not safe like where I live. We have a lot of mental health issues here, combined with drugs, so you see A LOT of crazies at all times of day.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Aren't those people the reason you have a "job"?

by Anonymous 5 months ago

How is driving Uber not a job?

by Hot-Professor807 5 months ago

I'm an American and I have always walked. I have never lived in a walkable city, I just do it for the enjoyment.

by Flimsy-Gap-4619 5 months ago

How about people who are like "can you pull up" so they don't have to walk an extra 5 feet.

by Hot-Professor807 5 months ago

I'll be honest. I couldn't make 10k steps a day without jogging and needing to walk my dog.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

As an european 20 min walk is fine, but longer than that I'd take the car. America has this problem that it's really really big and cities are not meant for pedastrians really. They are build for cars. So often times it's just pointless walking a huge distance. It's not that I hate walks, I can walk for hours, If I'm going for a walk. But if I have to do something/get somewhere I don't have that much time to waste and just don't wanna get tired when I get there.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I walk and run all the time.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Bored with plain just walking, trying adding Disc Golf in the mix.

by Admirable-Science-20 5 months ago

1000% agree. And we need more pedestrian friendly places

by Anonymous 5 months ago

It's called lazy

by Dramatic-Dog 5 months ago

This is the correct answer

by Anonymous 5 months ago

It's hard when you're living in downtown Houston where everyone drives

by Anonymous 5 months ago

this is why i play Pokemon Go as an adult. it get me walking around my tiny town, even if there's nowhere to actually go. simulation in the real world.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Well when the country is made for cars, not for people, walking gets dangerous and time consuming

by umckenzie 5 months ago

I take walks at least once or twice a day. This is just stereotyping.

by Internal_Breath_7089 5 months ago

People that have difficulty walking exist

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Some people have hidden disabilities. A friend of mine had a heart condition that ultimately claimed her life, and she would take an Uber or cab for short distances, if they didn't blow her off. I'm sure many people would love to walk or bike, but few communities have or can afford the infrastructure to support that.

by botsfordeloisa 5 months ago

Wholeheartedly agree. I'm an American, and I walk every single day for at least 40 minutes. However, I'm very lucky to live in an area where that's possible. A lot of places in America aren't very walking friendly.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

It'd be nice if there were more walkable areas where I live. There aren't even sidewalks in my apartment complex

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I'm sure many would like to walk, but esp in certain cities, they'd rather not have to deal with crazy people on the street and take a ride instead. That's also why many parents drive their kids or make them take a school bus instead of the kid walking on their own to school. The walking infrastructure is horrible too...

by Nervous_Guitar_6328 5 months ago

I'm American and I average 14k steps a day. Most of the people I know average 8-10k steps a day, though I acknowledge I'm biased in that my connections are similar to me. Obviously you're connecting with a specific sect of the population as an Uber driver, and obviously people that request rides often are more likely to be less inclined to walk places. I don't think you should judge the people of an entire country based on your specific, biased sample of the population you interact with

by Anonymous 5 months ago

333 million people make up "Americans" Lots of us enjoy walking, myself included.

by CulturalTrifle 5 months ago

My husband and I do a ton of walking. During our days off together, we easily go over 10 miles on foot.

by beverlymurray 5 months ago

I think your perception may be biased based off the fact you drive Uber…….of course you don't encounter many walkers lmao

by Soggy_Assumption 5 months ago

Try walking when it's gusting 20-40mph winds and -30 to -40 temps with the windchill in the winter months in the upper midwest/Great Lakes area

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Who even has the time to walk 5 miles a day? Presumably always in the same direction, and surely just between 2 points.

by RiseAmbitious 5 months ago

Yeah sure I'll just walk the 38 miles to where I work. That'll be easy.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Totally missing the point lol

by Anonymous 5 months ago

The Greeks believed in walking while discussing philosophy. Walking is simple and good

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I get that it's a generalization, but it's hard to argue against it. Obviously, some folks exercise different ways, but I've met so many people who can't fathom the idea of walking somewhere when you could drive. I think it should be the opposite - why drive somewhere if you can walk? I went 20 minutes down the street to get some coffee, and ran into my uncle there. He asked where my car was. I said it was at home, because it was. He asked "why?" ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ I think it's a very common attitude.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

People should learn not to make generalizations based off of their anecdotal evidence

by schoenjordane 5 months ago

I walk everyday, at least 40 minutes. Don't lump people together.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I'm on my feet for 10-12 hours a day, and average 7-10 miles in that time. The last thing I want to do is walk for the fun of it.

by No_Orange 5 months ago

There are no non hostile areas, the media tells me so /s

by Anonymous 5 months ago

WHOA, RACIST MUCH?

by Muted_Mongoose 5 months ago

You're completing about the people who make you money? I was recently in DC with my teenage grandkids. We were going to the National Zoo. I parked about 1/2 mile away. The walk there was easy. Downhill most of the way. Getting back by walking wasn't going to happen. I have a lot of hardware in one of my feet. I was hurting pretty bad after walking around the zoo for hours. You bet your ass I got an Uber.

by Mysterious_Syrup_201 5 months ago

why are you complaining ? it's your job to drive people around regardless of distance

by Bartelldoyle 5 months ago

I'm American and I walk a lot because I live on a college campus, but the majority of places to live in the US require you drive. There are very few walkable cities and the walkable areas are expensive as all Hell.

by Bennie82 5 months ago

I love walking and never take Ubers

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I like to walk, I go outside almost every day and walk a mile. The issue is, we don't have safe sidewalks everywhere. Hell, even in my progressive city, we have bike lanes but still NO sidewalks, which I think should come first.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I love walking, just most places I want to go to are very far away by foot.

by Gmedhurst 5 months ago

I try to walk a few miles everyday. Full disclosure, I WFH and no one monitors me or cares if I do my hours at random times. For most people, finding an hour to walk when it's light out could be difficult. My situation is a luxury that affords me the ability to do this.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I wish we could walk everywhere. Communities just aren't built that way. I would totally take advantage of it if they were.

by BothShelter 5 months ago

I love walking. My main issue is finding the time to do so. Most days are filled with productive things from 6AM to 11PM.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I have lived in a "mid sized" American city for 10-15 years now. So many of my friends here are shocked that I don't want, or need a car. I love being able to walk less than a mile away to almost everything I need. It's fun to decompress, and play some tunes while I enjoy my neighborhood. I can almost guarantee some of my friends have spent at least $100K more on transportation than I have over the past decade.

by OkInitiative 5 months ago

Some places suck to walk but yeah, walking is good

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Walking is a great way to clear your head along with being good exercise and can be nice to walk and talk with your friends granted you aren't going at a snails pace

by Anonymous 5 months ago

That's just blatantly wrong

by Mysterious_Car 5 months ago

As an Uber driver why do you care if they use the service you make money from instead of walking?

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Fun Fact. A lot of Americans DO walk every day.

by aglae07 5 months ago

And what about the people who can't manage that without excruciating pain, if they can walk at all? Not everyone who orders that short Uber is being lazy-sometimes, it's because they're disabled and can barely get out the door in the morning, or something along those lines. I would know-I have hypotonia, gravitational insecurity, and a whole host of other issues that make extended periods of walking borderline torture. Add in autism that leads me to just completely hyperfocus on getting into the store and getting some meat (AKA being completely oblivious to ongoing traffic) without a service dog to tell me otherwise, and you have a shining example of "I'm getting this Uber because I actually need it for my safety and health". And just because you perceive an area as safe because there's little to no street crime and/or there are a lot of sidewalks doesn't mean it actually is. I live in an area just like that, and even if I wasn't disabled to high hell, I wouldn't risk it. If someone lost control of even a tiny ass smartcar, I am royally screwed. People can and do regularly ignore traffic signals. Quite frankly, OP, this isn't just an unpopular opinion, it's an ignorant and ableist one. Maybe instead of presuming every short Uber ride you take is someone being lazy, try to be a bit kinder and more open-minded. It could be someone with an invisible disability, or multiple disabilities. Or any other number of perfectly valid reasons.

by Alang 5 months ago

A problem in some areas there are no sidewalks

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I've definitely observed this too. Most places I've lived it's not really possible to walk very many useful places. But some people are ridiculous about it like the neighbors that will get in their car and drive 3 houses down the street to my parents house (they're fit and very into martial arts so it's not like they need to drive to get a wheelchair there). It has to take more time than just walking. And when I have been in a position where I rode in with a group and was keeping walking home about a mile as a possible way home if I wanted to stay longer than the group people act like it's a death march through the desert. Even people who know I'm pretty fit and active.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Ummm, if you're from America then you should realize that not everyone has that option. I'd love to walk everywhere but sadly I live in the middle of no where so I can't just walk all the way to my nearest city.

by Charming_Let 5 months ago

Bro it's not that we don't want to it's that we CAN'T

by Anonymous 5 months ago

You are assuming way too much about every single city in the US when you've lived in a minuscule fraction of it.

by Technical_Agency_193 5 months ago

lol that's not true. i grew up on long island ny and took frequent trips to nyc with my family as a kid and i love walking. to this day i go for walks very frequently in the summer and winter in the woods just to explore and even just to walk to certain places.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I'm actually pretty lucky that my apartment is right next to the rail, and my job is close to one as well. I walk maybe like 30 minutes a day if I'm returning from work. It kinda makes me feel like I'm in an adventure and it's somewhat nice seeing people just be people. I have noticed my knee is kinda hurting during the last bit of the walk, makes me wonder if it's cause the shoes I'm wearing are completely flat

by quinton30 5 months ago

No

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Cities aren't walkable

by Fun_Tension 5 months ago

I will take "Generalization of 300 million people" for 200 Alex

by Material_Insect 5 months ago

… lol no. All Americans are not the same. I walk all the time.

by Hodkiewiczmaria 5 months ago

Invest in deodorant.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I do wear deodorant

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Good for you.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I love walking in cities that are built for walking. The issue is that many of the cities in America aren't built for walking. Many places don't even have sidewalks.

by Either_Taste 5 months ago

I'm Canadian. Last weekend we just hopped over to Buffalo for a bit of shopping. The amount of morbidly obese people I saw was staggering. I don't think I'd see as many as I saw in 24hrs in six months at home. I couldn't believe the number. 😔

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Diets don't work and they end up causing weight gain in the long run. Americans are always on a diet, so they eventually become obese.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Because obviously you have polled every American.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

OP has decided that since he has seen a lot of people in cars they obviously hate walking with a passion

by Amiraratke 5 months ago

😂😂

by Anonymous 5 months ago

Doesn't US have catastrophicaly bad walking infrastructure and public transport? Might not have much choice?

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I love walking but I live in Chicago so sometimes ubering is the best move for safety reasons

by moorecruz 5 months ago

I didn't buy a car to walk.

by Global-Chipmunk 5 months ago

A lot of Americans walk often. Just because we have efficient roads to get around easier doesnt mean people don't walk. They walk very often mostly. Let's not generalize so uneducatedly..

by Delphia02 5 months ago

Yes, but remember - disabilities - safety - ocd/anxiety You never know.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

No, the reason is they eat way less than us and eat healthier food. Diet is 90% of it. Exercise the other 10%

by Usual-Tax-3910 5 months ago

When I walk on the side walk I get passed by people driving Teslas, Lexus, etc. All kinds of luxury cars. Walking makes me feel like they judge me as a low life that are not among their ranks.

by Particular-Site-7420 5 months ago

It annoys me to pieces when someone complains about a parking situation that requires them to walk more than 15 feet to their destination. Not all places are ped friendly, like at ALL, but be grateful for the spaces that are! And be grateful you have legs that can take you wherever you want to go.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I don't have those

by Anonymous 5 months ago

I'm 35 and don't know how to ride a bike.

by ActuaryLegitimate 5 months ago

I'm not generalizing Americans don't like to walk Looks like it to me.

by Anonymous 5 months ago

What if I don't like walking. Are you going to arrest me

by Anonymous 5 months ago