Never Trust a Slow Walker
There are body language cues that are universally seen as negative.
A few include slouching, frowning, or giving a weak handshake.
But do you know which body language move often gets a pass?
Slow walking.
I think slow walking is one of the worst traits to have!
Especially if you’re a young, able-bodied man.
It’s different if you’re trying to relax after a long day’s work.
No need to walk fast then.
And it’s different if you’re a 65-year-old man.
You’re older… no need to walk fast.
But if you’re a guy in your late teens to your 40s, then you should not be walking slow!
Slow walkers are untrustworthy people to work with.
When I Noticed Slow Walkers in Droves
In my old job, there was a beautiful path right by my workplace.
I used to walk there all the time.
During that time, I noticed how many people walked slow.
And you know what’s annoying about these slow walkers?
- They walk slow in zigzag motions.
It’s like they’re doing their best to annoy you.
A lot of times, these guys are overweight.
So, I literally have to step into the grass to bypass them.
And when I pass them, they look at me like I did something wrong.
It’s even worse when three of them are walking side by side.
Now, I have to deal with the awkward stares as I pass them!
During my walks on this path, I often felt annoyed.
These people walked way too slow.
Why Slow Walkers Can’t Be Trusted
To be fair, many of the walkers on the path were unwinding after a long day of work.
That’s fine.
What’s not fine is when they always walk slow.
They’re walking slow after work.
They’re walking slow on the way to work.
They’re even walking slow before their day has even started!
Here’s why slow walkers are untrustworthy:
- They Don’t Value Their Time.
If they have so little urgency, it makes you wonder:
What are you thinking about?
Do you think someone would walk slow if they were on their way to pick up a billion-dollar check?
No.
These people are too calm for my liking, and that attitude can hurt group dynamics.
- They’ll Waste Your Time.
If they don’t respect their time, what makes you think they’ll respect yours?
Instead, they’ll slow you down.
A slow walker will drag down a faster walker rather than the other way around.
Walking is like body language.
If you’re naturally a fast walker, but you walk excessively slow, it’ll feel unnatural…almost like you’re shrinking yourself.
It’s the same feeling you get when someone with confident body language suddenly makes themselves small.
- They’re Slackers.
Every time I’ve encountered a slow walker, I’ve noticed they lack a strong work ethic.
They complain a lot, make excuses, and avoid stepping up to challenges.
They don’t take themselves seriously.
It’s like someone who always wears a wrinkled shirt.
If their shirt is always wrinkled, you start to question their character:
“You couldn’t even bother to iron your shirt? And you’re here at an important event?”
Unfortunately, slow walkers can’t be fixed.
That’s just who they are.
How I Deal with Slow Walkers
I always keep slow walkers at arm’s length.
Part of me feels like they’re plotting against me.
You might think I’m being paranoid.
But consider this:
- If we judge someone by their handshake, why not their walking pace?
A limp handshake is viewed as weak.
Slouching is seen as lazy.
Frowning suggests negativity.
In the same way, slow walking signals a lack of urgency and drive.
People who change the world don’t walk slowly…especially when they’re in their 20s or 30s.
This is the time to walk fast.
Be the person who’s eager to walk 10,000 steps a day.
Be so excited about life that walking slowly makes you feel antsy, like you’re wasting time.
It’s the same frustration you feel when waiting in a long line at a fast-food restaurant with no explanation.
I’m not accommodating anymore.
I used to be patient with slow walkers.
That patience lasted about a week.
Back on that work path, I used to walk behind them, feeling frustrated.
Eventually, I stopped waiting.
I walked around them.
I let them stare at me as I passed.
I wanted them to see my confident strides and think, “This is how a winner walks.”
But they won’t.
They’re too content with their slow pace.
Being too content isn’t a good thing.
Walk like you’re on your way to pick up a billion-dollar check.
Feel more urgency.
For more insights into body language & social skills, check out the ArmaniTalks Free Daily Newsletter
– ArmaniTalks 
