What do women think?

I walk everywhere too. I used to worry that girls might think I'm following them, but I stopped caring when I realized that I have just as much a right to walk without feeling like a criminal as they do. If they wanna think the world is out to get them, and live in fear, let them. I burn enough calories as is, I don't cross the street anymore. Women like that are artards.

It's good to think of what females are feeling or thinking. I mean generally if they are walking alone in the dark, I am sure they are fearless and think nothing of someone passing by. By you changing course or slowing down it may seem suspicious and cause what you're trying to stop. Just walk at normal pace, dont act different or creepy otherwise you might just frighten them. As a girl I cannot walk around at night without being jumpy at every little thing so I guess your concern is good, just be careful with how cautious you are being.

I think that's quite decent and considerate of you to change your pace. That shows a great deal of respect. From a girl's point of view, even the bravest girl would feel quite terrified walking home alone. Maybe you can avoid looking at the girl, or look disinterested, or maybe you try to look busy doing something else, like looking at your watch or whatever. Slowing down is by far your best option, but if you're in a hurry, take long, non-threatening strides, though I think you're doing a good job already.

Yeah, I don't like it when men walk close to me and they're behind me. Especially when it isn't a particularly public place.

So I suppose walking faster or slower than us, would make us more secure. There just has to be that distance.

Being a guy is the best. You know you chicks are jealous.

You would think by living in a town where walking to the store is simple (smaller town) you would have started to know some of these people perhaps you should say hi or something rather than making the world crazy like every guy walking around is bad or something. If it is a smaller town maybe they have already heard of the slightly odd guy who walks to town all the time. :P

To everyone that says : stop walking, go to a convenience store for a few minutes.... Wtf, we're only walking, the girl should stop at the store if she feels threatened, not the guy who thinks the woman ahead could possibly feel threatened...

Lol i like it when i feel the woman ahead of me is nervous, but i dont do anything to scare her.

if a guy is behind me i always get scared he is following me. i normally take the next turn regardless of where im headed just to see if he does the same. Your actions are very gentlemanly and much appreciated boyo!

I step up the pace to by pass :)

I am impressed by what you said! Yes I would be scared if some dude was walking behind me. crossing a street is a smart thing to do :)

I always walk by myself. I have a few friends but most the time they treat me like an accessory or third-wheel so if they don't ditch me somewhere, I ditch them. xD

I get nervous all the time when a man is walking behind me. I think of the worse that could happen or the thoughts in there head. I say keep your distance and maybe stop walking until she is out of site.

That's kinda nice. Yeah, I get freaked out sometimes when guys walk behind me late at night.

Thank you! I always feel lik I am being followed when guys walk behind me I get sooooooo freaked!!!!!! Haha so yes just maybe stop for lik 2 minutes go to a store something to make it seem lik you aren't stalking her haha

you are a very considerate person to think of other's feelings in this case.

I only really get nervous when a person has been behind me for awhile. So, if you find you've been going in the same direction as a girl for more than a few blocks, it would be nice of you to slow down or stop for awhile to put her at ease.

Wow, way to be an awesomely thoughtful dude.

Seeing who's walking behind you is always a comforting thing but I don't know if you should really go out of your way to make someone else 100%% comfortable. If it makes you happy to look out for the mental well being of a stranger on the street then three cheers for you though. :]

YES! I generally don't walk by myself at night since I live in London, but if I have to it does freak me out if a man is too close to me. I would personally appreciate that. Then again, it is nice to have other people around when walking at night. That really puts me at ease. :p

Just wanna note that like 95%% of rapes are between "friends" people just don't really do the jump out behind a dumpster and rape you thing anymore. Get over yall. Everyone carries a weapon these days.

I like walking by myself, but at night time, I'm always a bit wary. If I think I'm being followed a bit too closely, I quicken my pace (I can be quite fast when I want to be) and try to take a peek behind me. It's easier if I'm walking near shops because I can look at the reflection in the windows.

When I'm walking behind someone, I feel the same as you and do the same thing lol.

Well I often get nervous when guys are following me for a long distance. It usually turns out they're going to the same class as me (I go to a smaller uni so I usually have the same kids in my class). But, it would be nice if you didn't just go the same speed right behind us. Maybe slow down a bit or speed up. I wouldn't even mind if people walked right next to me just behind me freak me out a bit. I also have to take in consideration that I am a very paranoid girl!!

cute but um walk in front of them. its creepy if your like behind them or behind them and across the street bc they dont know you or if youre a fucking rapist. so walk ahead of them

Hm... I would get rather nervous in that situation, especially if I was alone.

I think slowing down would make the girl feel more comfortable. ^^ Maybe even just stopping, and looking off elsewhere.
Keep your eyes off her, and look around idly, as if you don't notice her.
Maybe even pretend to talk on a phone. xp

So, yeah! What you do would help put a nervous girl at ease.

Haha,yeah I'm the same!I try to walk quieter but then I wonder if they turn around, if they think I'm trying to sneak up on them.It's a very confusing situation this one!

i've faced this same situation many times on my school campus. their body language is very apparent and you can tell they think your a threat to them. sometimes i want to say something to cool the tension but its not necessary often. walking faster to get in front of her or them works out well most of the time.

Stop for a few minutes, since you're not far from the city I assume there will be a store or something. Go to the store, even if it involves just loitering and have a smoke (if you smoke). If you dont - just go in and buy a drink or small bag of chips and finish it off... She'll be long gone by then.

Or you could walk faster than her then walk in front of her