People are not polite anymore!

[Matthew_T]

So, on Saturday I commuted to work. I regularly see cyclists to and from work as I go down quite a popular route. However, I always say either "Hello" or just smile at other cyclists, and sometimes pedestrians (if I am on a shared path).
And yet, as I was doing this, noone replied to me or even smiled.

So has everyone become miserable in just a few months, or was it the brown splodge on my forehead that was putting everyone off? It kind of upset me a little that people dont seem to be happy anymore. Where has the joy in cycling gone? I enjoyed it anyway.

 

[Cycling Dan]

I almost missed these type of threads by you. Almost

 

[the_mikey]

Without thinking too much about it, I suspect you have placed too much value on being acknowledged by other cyclists, some will stick a finger out, others might nod, or tip their head slightly, some might even speak, but don't get upset if they don't.

 

[Matthew_T]

I guess people just arent as civilised as I thought.

I will just go back to driving then. Everyone is in their metal cage, minding their own business.

 

[Cycling Dan]

I guess people just arent as civilised as I thought.

I will just go back to driving then. Everyone is in their metal cage, minding their own business.

Two strangers get on a train sitting next to each other. 2 hours later the train comes to the last stop they leave the train strangers without speaking a word to each other. Why because they were British

 

[AndyRM]

Unless a cyclist is in difficulty by the side of the road or they're the only person out on a country lane, it's unlikely that I'll bother to greet them. I don't bother acknowledging random strangers when I'm on foot either.

 

[Tim Hall]

I guess people just arent as civilised as I thought.

I will just go back to driving then. Everyone is in their metal cage, minding their own business.

Nah, it's just they're skint, having given their last penny (kerching) to @ianrauk. Either that or they're mates of @martint235 .

 

[Matthew_T]

Why because they were British

That says it all really.

Why do we persist on keeping ourselves to ourselves? Because we are British.
Why do we ignore those who are in need of our help? Because we are British.
Why do we persist on queuing? Because we are British.
Why do we have pompous people, who are stuck up in charge of the country? Because we are British.
Why do we speak our mind behind peoples backs, but then bottle it infront of them? Because we are British.
Why do we drink tea? Because we are British.

There are many things that we do because we are British. The reluctance to communicate with others, is a disadvantage which I wish we didnt have. People are just so afraid of what someone will think, that they would rather keep their mouth shut. Its a shame that the type of environment we are bringing our new generations into.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

So, on Saturday I commuted to work. I regularly see cyclists to and from work as I go down quite a popular route. However, I always say either "Hello" or just smile at other cyclists, and sometimes pedestrians (if I am on a shared path).
And yet, as I was doing this, noone replied to me or even smiled.

So has everyone become miserable in just a few months, or was it the brown splodge on my forehead that was putting everyone off? It kind of upset me a little that people dont seem to be happy anymore. Where has the joy in cycling gone? I enjoyed it anyway.

Have you tried saying it in Welsh? Perhaps you're smiling with an English accent?

 

[snorri]

There was a friendly young guy I used to meet on the run to work most days. We exchanged a nod and even a few words some days. Then he disappeared, I looked out for him but never saw him again. A week or two later I spotted this same fellow driving a car, but there was no friendly exchange of greeting now, he had gone to the other side. We passed each other fairly frequently although never acknowledging each other. Then about a week ago i saw his car stopped at the roadside with a tell tale oil puddle beneath it and the driver bent down under the bonnet. No point in me offering to help, I don't know anything about cars, anyway he hasn't acknowledged me since he went to the other side.
Then last week, well what do you know, there was my old friend cycling again and waving to me as if things had never changed. Well stuff you Matthew_T.


wb Matt

 

[martint235]

Ok this is a first. What on earth makes you think I'm unhappy just cos I don't speak to cyclists. In fact not speaking to cyclists, most of which on my commute are kerb heads, adds to my happiness. I'm cycling to work and I'm happy cos I'm on a bike and also because in a few hours I'll be leaving work. I don't want to ruin that by interacting with other people on two wheels who may ruin my mood. I do make a point of talking to pedestrians though.

And saying "hello" to a cyclist hardly ranks up there in the great principles of civilisation

 

[screenman]

That says it all really.

Why do we persist on keeping ourselves to ourselves? Because we are British.
Why do we ignore those who are in need of our help? Because we are British.
Why do we persist on queuing? Because we are British.
Why do we have pompous people, who are stuck up in charge of the country? Because we are British.
Why do we speak our mind behind peoples backs, but then bottle it infront of them? Because we are British.
Why do we drink tea? Because we are British.

There are many things that we do because we are British. The reluctance to communicate with others, is a disadvantage which I wish we didnt have. People are just so afraid of what someone will think, that they would rather keep their mouth shut. Its a shame that the type of environment we are bringing our new generations into.

I would suggest that makes me only partially British then, that is a ridiculous list.

 

[cyberknight]

Maybe its because your seen as a newbie again so you have to build a rapport with regular appearances on your bike .

 

[Genau]

It's nothing to do with being British. I am surrounded by foreigners but the cyclists here are not forever giving each other cheery greetings, high-fives and group hugs. Equally, people wearing shoes do not greet each either as soul mates - they are not members of an elite club of shoe wearers. Tram passengers also do not feel the need to wave at each other in a glow of self-satisfaction at being crack tram-riders.

The fact is, cycling is not that special, it's just something people do to get from one place to another.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

When commuting there is no "we", except in the heads of the "we-people" who, to a man wind themselves up over other people not sharing their mistaken notions that all people on bike identify with being in some sort of cyclists union and want to express solidarity with every other member they see.

My rule; never initiate intercourse when awheel to or from work.