vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
For those who crave acknowledgement while out on their bikes:
I'm still trying to cancel out all the double negatives....
People who drive Land Rovers (the original sort) usually acknowledge each other on the road. I don't really know why, but It does make life feel just that little bit more pleasant.
Mmm nice :-)
I was mightily relieved on one count when I sold my 2CV thirty years ago. I was plagued by other 2CV owners who insisted on flashing their lights and waving. It's a vehicle not a fugging lifestyle.
It was the same with motorcycles. I recall the bemoaning of the decreasing frequency of acknowledgements from fellow bikers. I welcomed the opportunity to focus on the personal enjoyment of the ride and not the 'open source' enjoyment of a 'community' when the practise decline.
I'm sure that sociologists would find the acknowledgement of fellow minority group members have a common identifiable need to identify themselves to kindred spirits that's totally unconnected to good manners and more to do with social insecurities. Most minority groups own, wear or use visual markers that affirm their minority status. There appears to be a quasi religious element involved in the core activities of such groups and a low key promotion of a persecution complex accompanies by self elevation to true believer and therefore superior status.
Compare:
Debate or dismantle at will. Over to you
- 2CV owners - single model rallies, light flashing camaraderie
- Mk1 Land Rover owners - likewise
- Cycling weight weenies - need I say more?
- 'Real cyclists' - heaping disdain on BSOs while avidly following the doctrine contained within 'Cyclecraft'
- Helmet cam wearers - the epitome of self declared infallability
- Non mainstream Christians - low key religious symbols worn exhibited, strident protests at perceived discriminatory practice
- Non mainstream muslims - demands for accommodation of practices that are outside of UK law
- Smokers - failure to acknowledge that they literally are a dying breed and demanding the right to share the cause of their deaths with others.
Some do, some don't. I find it hard to care much either way...
I always say hello to horses, and they never say it back, the hay-eating b******s...
I always nod, wave or say hi. If I get no response I turn round, chase them down, push them off, then give them a big hug and say "spread the love, brother".
I always give some kind of greeting. If they don't respond, I say 'nob' to myself (not 'at' myself, you understand). I'm tempted to sometimes turn round, chase them down, push them off, pin them to the ground and shout "hell-bleeding-o", with spittle spraying from my foaming mouth. One of these days a good rain's gonna fall (cycles off into the night, muttering).