Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
I gotta figure this out then.

I just got a little Honda commuter that I'm loving. My bigger bikes are a Yamaha up north and a Suzuki down south. Now I have to have a different wave for each one?! Somebody tell me what they are!

I swear I have never heard of this. DH has not only been riding as long as I mentioned, but he covered motorcycle racing for a long time, and we still follow it avidly, and he's always waved the same way whether he was on his Ducati, his Honda, or the Yamaha he rides now.

And he's lived and ridden in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida and Ohio, so if it's regional it must be one-a those really regional things.
We have Yamaha Star Motorcycles, and wave to anyone on a cruiser, and they all "wave" back, give a peace sign, a high five, whatever - unless they're on a Harley, then those "snobs" often just wave to other Harleys

As for cyclists, I don't think men are snobs. It's rare I encounter a rude cyclist, and here in Colorado, if I waved to everyone I wouldn't get any riding done. There are so many people out here, it would be like a dang receiving line if you waved or nodded to everyone. I think some women are just more social than men (and other women), so they expect people to be "friendly" and welcoming - the hostess with the most-est! I don't think it's snobbery or rudeness if people don't wave or nod. I know that when I'm riding alone, it's usually for a workout, so I'm really focused and not looking to socialize. If I'm going through a crowded area, riding with a group of people, happen upon a family with kids or whatnot, I do give a nod and a "how ya doin?" just like I do if I'm at a stop light with another cyclist - that's when I chat. I always ask a person on the side of the road if they need help, and when I've been stopped, I must say, men are the only ones who've ever asked me if I need help.
Just like if I'm in the gym running on the tread mill, I'm wearing my iPod for a reason - so I can focus and not have to talk to people!! I'm not being rude, I'm not a snob, I'm just focused. I'm there to workout. And running here on our trails, if I happen to make eye contact with someone, then I nod - I'm not going to ignore them if our eyes meet, or quickly look away; but I'm not out waving to everyone, either. Again, there are SOOOOOOOO many people out there, one would get whiplash!