Nod and smile ratio

[exbfb]

Went out this morning and had a little pootle along the canal near where I live.
At that time of the morning, there were all sorts.
Casual walkers, serious walkers, dog walkers, runners, fishermen, casual cyclists, serious cyclists.
Thousand yard stare merchants...

I'm just a formerly overweight bloke approaching / at middle age looking to not die of a heart attack.
Not serious, not casual, somewhere in the middle ?

I think I have this etiquette thing sussed.

All the folks that think they're doing it seriously can't seem to manage to take the time to be civil and say hello.
All the normal people just out for a bit of fresh air seemed to be much more capable of saying hello / morning.

Maybe they are more capable of recognising a fellow path user as a kindred spirit, be they on foot or on wheels.

What I did notice was that retired people were faaaarrrr more likely to value a civil greeting and return in kind.

Anyway, they all got a friendly "morning" off me whether they like it or not

 

[BentMikey]

Manners vs etiquette?

Etiquette is used to exclude people from your social group, whilst manners is used to include them.

 

[LosingFocus]

100% smile/nod return ratio today. Some happy, smiley people out and about in Essex today.

 

[david k]

100% is good, unless it was 1 person. or 100% didnt return your nod smile

 

[johnr]

I'm a 'greet 'em all' person. Last week me and a guy coming in the opposite direction almost fell off with the grinning, waving and hi-ing. I used to see him every morning and evening for several years; I always said hi and waved, he never responded. Then one winter day, when the snow was deep and crisp and even, we both stopped at the top of the hill to swap notes on road conditions. After that, he'd generally nod.

I've changed to working mainly nights and hadn't seen him for nine months or so. And what a transformation! He'd always been 3-4 stone overweight despite (I'd guess) 10-15 miles cycling. And there he was, tanned, slim and obviously full of joy at life! Either sex... or the new bike, thinks I, as I pedal on... probably the bike.

Been waving at a lot of kids over the holidays. I think it's great to see so many of them out on the roads, exploring.

 

[Munchkin100]

I would say 80% noddy factor today..... lycra man no chance wouldnt lower his standards to acknowledge a commoner on a hybrid and one woman who looked like she was cycling in a bikini... in this wind!!!!! perhaps she was too embarrassed to look up from the tarmac... wouldn't wanna deal with her chaffing tonight.... ok im sure some of you guys would help out there

 

[wmtlynx]

Brummies / Whatever you call North Worcestershire people gave me a 100% acknowledgement in my 10 mile ride today, including a footpath MTBer in Hawkesley.

Also did my first overtake of other cyclists on Icknield Street, which I was very proud of. Some of these modern bikes have very low gearing, as I was in bottom gear working on my cadence and doing about 9mph at the time. Oh to have a gear that would allow me to go around 5mph, as I'm still coming across that bit of Icknield Street by Weatheroak and not being able to climb it - I don't think it's lack of strength as I have my entire weight on the pedals and the bike just comes to a gradual stop. Approach speed could well be a factor though - gravel, potholes and a sharpish bend on the approach to the hill makes it hard for me.

 

[LosingFocus]

100% is good, unless it was 1 person. or 100% didnt return your nod smile

Ah yes, I should qualify by saying it was a good 20-odd riders I saw today.

 

[400bhp]

What is the thing to do when overtaking someone, in particular climbing a steep hill?

Everything I can think of seems arrogant or patronising

 

[LosingFocus]

What is the thing to do when overtaking someone, in particular climbing a steep hill?

Everything I can think of seems arrogant or patronising

"Nice day for it!" I find doesnt piss me off too much when someone comes by me.

 

[david k]

i shout "IN YOUR FACE SUCKER" people get upset, you know the touchy type

 

[WychwoodTrev]

Today we did a 40 miler saw loads of outher cyclists out on the roads allsorts and we got about a 50% responce the main ones not to responds seemed to be the familys on mtbs. We even got a scalp a guy on a specialised going up hill even he resonded to our hello

 

[david k]

did you shout in your face sucker at him?

 

[uphillstruggler]

I like to nod and say hello to most people I meet/pass whilst out and about. i tend to ride early-ish at the weekend and usually around country lanes and find most people tend to reply with a cheery nod, hi or wave.

Makes the ride a little more enjoyable in my view.

Their loss if they don't anyway

 

[Cubist]

I shouted a cheery "Good Morning " to a middle aged guy on a Cube Attention I sometimes see cycling in Huddersfield. He was cycling uphill as I hammered it downhill. He was very purple in the face and looked very surprised. Miserable git didn't return my cheery greetings..... I'll see if I can find the clip on the headcam!

Edit...I found it. However, my cam was pointing too far downwards to capture the moment.... And he was going downhill, so he could have been more cheery.