Break Walkers

On my routine morning trip to the post office I notice one particular group of pedestrians. The group of pedestrians on the street who catches my eye, is the incursion of state employees who spend their morning break, walking around the block rather than sitting at their desk. It is easy to pick them out from other pedestrians because they all have an ID tag hanging around their neck. They may all be out and about because they are taking their 15 minutes break but, it's how differently they use this time to walk, that is interesting to me. There are three different styles or types of "break walkers" that stand out to me, you have the "cell phone talkers", the "chatty Kathy's" and then the more robust dedicated "serious power walkers."

The "break walker" who walks alone but not without their cell phone is the group that I like to call the "cell phone talker." This group will use their 15 minutes for personal phone calls. This solo walker is more than likely on the phone making some sort of social plans, maybe for lunch or even plans to meet up after work for a quick drink with friends. Whatever their conversation is about, it is usually spoken with much excitement and a little louder than necessary. I can't help but wonder why this person chooses to walk alone and make a phone call instead of use this 15 minute break to visit with co-workers. Maybe they are not that into gossip or the juicy details of the latest inter-office drama. Or perhaps this person is new to the office, I guess it is possible that they could be that "annoying obnoxious person" in the office and no one wants to walk with them.

Then we have the group of "break walkers" who use their 15 minutes to catch up on office gossip and the latest water cooler conversations. They are very outgoing and quite a loquacious group; I like to call them the "Chatty Kathy's." Only out for the chance to talk about their latest and greatest tales or to hear some juicy details about their co-workers weekend, this group is somewhat of a leisure walker. They are definitely not out walking for health or excersise this is easy to see because they are still wearing professional attire. They walk at the pace of an after dinner stroll not wanting to mess up hair or makeup or even break a sweat, they are like a high school clique. Perhaps talking about subjects not appropriate

...