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Doom, Gloom and dealing with negativity from non riders

The general non-riding public are morons when it comes to understanding riders and the reasons we ride. Typically any logical explanation is lost and they zone out after the first four or five syllables of your well thought out reasons for riding.

Maybe scratch your forehead whilst flipping the bird. Less subtle, a quick "eat shit' will get the point across and as a bonus, they'll most likely just file you away as a radical.

Or, perhaps this face will cause them consternation and leave you alone:
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SmallButScrappy said:
I'm a new rider and petite gal, but when discover that I ride, it comes as somewhat of a shock to most people. Don't get me wrong, I get my fair share of people that are happy and supportive but I still haven't figured out how to deal with all the negativity that comes with the territory.

Recently, I've had my enthusiasm for riding met with horrible stories, graphic photos of recovery and even!! Wishes of me getting hurt!!

I know this is probably pretty common and I wonder how do y'all handle it? I never know what to say.

My recent responses have been:

"I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable , but I'm gonna ignore your advice."

Or.. " I understand that you're trying to look out for me. But I have to live my life without fear of the future."

Sometimes I feel a bit sassy and want to talk back to them but I just try to see the intention behind what they say.
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I counter with facts:

"Based on the research done in the past, getting appropriate training, no booze while riding, and wearing a helmet cuts your chances of getting killed in a motorcycle accident dramatically - I've gotten the appropriate training, I take my riding and safety including gear seriously, and enjoy it enough to justify the risks that I can't mitigate".

The folks who wish you death aren't worth your time, tell them to fuck off and never talk to them again. Unfortunately, there are people that just aren't worth your time.

Stay safe out there!
 
I will always ask them if they ride or used to ride.

More than likely they will say "No", which I will reply back with, "Oh, so you don't know what you're talking about and basically you're talking out of your ass?"

Better yet, ask them if they text or talk on their phone while driving. Now who's more of a danger to themselves or others?

That shuts them up usually.

Be sassy! Sounds like some of their comments are downright rude and a projection of their own fears of riding motos. So many good comebacks on here, use them all.

Ride on scrappydoo! :ride
 
SmallButScrappy said:
"You should get a go pro, so that we can all see the footage of you going through that Ferrari window."
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WTF? Did you have a sudden urge to throat punch this piece of crap? Just keep doing what makes you happy and ignore the static.

My wife, and all her friends, ride horses which can be very dangerous as well. Funny how accepting people are of that sport but motorcyclist are a bunch of knuckle-dragging buffoons with a death wish.

Usually when someone gives me a lecture, I reply with, "that's cool...if you have 45 minutes, I'd like to talk to you about Jesus Christ..." It usually shuts them up.
 
I dunno. Just combine the two realities: 100% chance of dying in this lifetime and not wanting to live a fear-based reality until it happens. I work with several people who literally fill the daytime cubicle convo with accounts of their various fears. I have never been a big macho dude, but I guess riding the motorcycle gives me the perspective about Mr. Death.

I guess the other thing that might shut em up is to point out: "You know, I ride as safe as I can, but my biggest worry are people in cars that have no respect or regard for me. When I ride, I'm not eating, not on the phone, not texting, not doing my makeup. Remind me again who is making the roads dangerous?" It might reinforce their point about the dangers of riding, but at least you can get the lick in there. And ask them to promise to look out for you.

Like poster above, I have had friends and family get hurt a lot worse on their horse. Come to think of it, my sis-in-law, who has broken her back and neck on two separate occasions and incurred great debt has a first-cousin who is fairly well-known sport biketress Shelina Moreda. I don't think she has been hurt as bad as cowgirl cousin, but not positive.(They all are part of a big dairy and ranching clan up in Platinuma)
 
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SmallButScrappy said:
I'm a new rider and petite gal, but when discover that I ride, it comes as somewhat of a shock to most people. Don't get me wrong, I get my fair share of people that are happy and supportive but I still haven't figured out how to deal with all the negativity that comes with the territory.

Recently, I've had my enthusiasm for riding met with horrible stories, graphic photos of recovery and even!! Wishes of me getting hurt!!

I know this is probably pretty common and I wonder how do y'all handle it? I never know what to say.

My recent responses have been:

"I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable , but I'm gonna ignore your advice."

Or.. " I understand that you're trying to look out for me. But I have to live my life without fear of the future."

Sometimes I feel a bit sassy and want to talk back to them but I just try to see the intention behind what they say.
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I used to get that a lot and I'd not politely. Then, I'd just show them my wiener. After too many episodes of shock and awe, I just give 'em a "I will eat your first born" stare, and get back to bidness.

They aren't trying to look out for you, they don't care, they are just hand-wringing, TV news-watching ninnies.
 
the comments of "maybe because your a woman..."

i dunno...

i guess it depends on personality and how u carry yourself...

cuz i'm a guy, and i always get comments of how dangerous it is from almost EVERYBODYyyYyYyy.

doesnt matter that i've been riding almost 20 years.
 
Opinions: everyone has 'em. To me, it depends on the source. Sometimes the person is genuine, so I'll engage, but I'll step carefully into the discussion being ready to disengage if I must. Other times it's clear there's an agenda, so my response is more along the lines of "Yeah, riding isn't for everyone. I enjoy it." Shrug and end it that quick.

Some people argue for the enjoyment of having an argument. I'm not one of 'em. :dunno
 
Had someone at the gas station the other day tell me to enjoy my coffin on wheels.


what the fuck
 
Kurosaki said:
Had someone at the gas station the other day tell me to enjoy my coffin on wheels.


what the fuck
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^^ this is when I always wish I had the master eyebrow take like John Belushi did.:wtf Because you really can't say anything meaningful on such short notice...
 
Oh my god you ride a bike!
What does your wife think about it?
What she rides with you and you 2 have been riding together for 40 years!
And you haven't died or crashed with her.
Yea doc I drink smoke and smoke pot and I ride motorcycles,
Him well most is ok but I think you should give up motorcycles.
 
I would estimate that about 60 percent of folks who say stupid stuff to bikers about riding are the probably the same folks that wouldn't even get on a simple rollercoaster or do anything in life that's slightly daring for that matter. I like the comeback comment I heard a biker tell a cager at a light after we filtered to the front in heavy traffic:

Cager: Y'all must have a death wish riding them thangs!
Biker: No. It's just that we're not stupid enough like the rest of y'all in cars to get stuck in the same traffic day end day out. That's borderline insanity ya know?

Nice! :thumbup
 
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