are cyclists snobs?

[smilingcat]

people are people, some are friendly, some are nice and few meanies. Only time I can remember when some one was not nice was a weekend warrior on a very expensive bicycle. I guess I ruined his fantasy of riding like Miguel Induran the train when I chicked him. Maybe I was the meanie for chicking him.

Oh the other times were at Death ride. bunch of Yahoo wanna be jump the gun and start before the official start time hoping that they can finish the ride before they got swept off the course. Nothing more demoralizing than seeing a broom attached to the front bumper on a car and its coming up fast behind your rear...

So like others said, maybe it was too hard, didn't see or just too tiring to say hi back to everyone they see.

don't fret over it. Maybe it was just one of those days.

[azfiddle]

Unless it's really inconvenient, I smile and wave to almost every one- no matter what kind of bike/ clothes they have. I try to wave or nod back to other people. Most cyclists around Tucson seem to be pretty friendly in that way.

[colorisnt]

I have been told I am a very polite cyclist because I signal to walkers on the trail, wave/smile, and thank people if I pass. I'm very friendly to pretty much all types of people since I love riding bikes so much. That said, if the BF is out by himself, he will likely not talk to people since he's quiet.

[Helene2013]

I don't think all of it is snobness but being in your own bubble sometimes. I may look at you and not even "see" you.

I'll greet (mostly a hi or head nod) sometimes. I'm so concentrated on where I'm looking that I don't see much of the scenery. haha BUT! It is very important for me to thank each driver, or cyclist that took the time to stop and let me cross the road or whatever. I do the same if someone is coming towards me through bike path where there is some sort of a gate (to prevent vehicules to get on path) and I know is faster than me and on top of this clipped. So I free him the way. Same when they come downhill to a tight spot. I give them the right of way if I'm going downhill and they have to go up. Common sense. And they thank you for this.

I try to treat others like I'd like to be treated.

But yes, there are some snobs and it's not because they have better stuff than you do. They are just like that.

[nuliajuk]

If I'm out on the highway for a long road ride I'll wave to other cyclists because it's less common to see people doing that, but not in town on the pathways/road lanes. As someone else pointed out, that would be like a motorist waving to every other motorist on a busy highway.

[SheFly]

This is one of my pet peeves. I wave at EVERY cyclist I see on the roads/trails, etc. Always and without question. Unfortunately, not a lot of other riders in this area do the same, and for some reason, it really irritates me . I know - first world problems. And Crankin - not too worry!

SheFly

[Trek420]

It's required on Wednesday:

http://www.sfbike.org/images/actions...wednesdays.pdf

[jobob]

Oh the other times were at Death ride. bunch of Yahoo wanna be jump the gun and start before the official start time hoping that they can finish the ride before they got swept off the course. Nothing more demoralizing than seeing a broom attached to the front bumper on a car and its coming up fast behind your rear...

Back when I attempted the Death Ride, I started out around 4 am. So I guess you can lump me in with those Yahoo wanna-be's who jumped the gun and started before the official start time hoping I could finish the ride before I got swept off the course. And yes, it was pretty damn demoralizing, thank you very much.

[salsabike]

Back when I attempted the Death Ride, I started out around 4 am. So I guess you can lump me in with those Yahoo wanna-be's who jumped the gun and started before the official start time hoping I could finish the ride before I got swept off the course. And yes, it was pretty damn demoralizing, thank you very much.

, Jo.

[Eden]

Ya know… I'm actually a bit bothered by the idea that people who are simply not socially outgoing are being instantly labeled snobby….some of us are introverts, it's nothing to do with you personally, we just don't necessarily interact with strangers all that readily…..

[lph]

Well it certainly is a pity if not being greeted is taken to mean that the other person feels superior. It could be the other way around - the other person could be struggling with his or her bike, or tired, or lost, or just deep in thought - I spend lots of my commute mulling stuff over. Or just concentrating. I probably look quite fierce when I'm working hard and deep inside my own head, and not expecting to meet anyone I know. I'd probably get around to greeting somebody back 500 metres after they'd passed...

[colorisnt]

Ya know… I'm actually a bit bothered by the idea that people who are simply not socially outgoing are being instantly labeled snobby….some of us are introverts, it's nothing to do with you personally, we just don't necessarily interact with strangers all that readily…..

Or that everyone is always able to smile and be engaging all the time. I am a super extroverted and generally friendly person but while I was studying for my PhD comprehensives, I took my daily walk to Starbucks from my office because I desperately needed a break and was deep in thought as I was walking. A guy came up to me and actually TOLD me to smile. When I ignored him, he screamed "stuck up b*tch!" at me and ran off. That's an extreme example but it still makes you think. I also know a guy who is one of the nicest, friendliest people you could meet but everyone who doesn't really "know" him thinks he's mean because his face is just a little severe.

This is one of those things where I try to think about OTHER reasons people could be preoccupied.

[Jolt]

Or that everyone is always able to smile and be engaging all the time. I am a super extroverted and generally friendly person but while I was studying for my PhD comprehensives, I took my daily walk to Starbucks from my office because I desperately needed a break and was deep in thought as I was walking. A guy came up to me and actually TOLD me to smile. When I ignored him, he screamed "stuck up b*tch!" at me and ran off. That's an extreme example but it still makes you think. I also know a guy who is one of the nicest, friendliest people you could meet but everyone who doesn't really "know" him thinks he's mean because his face is just a little severe.

This is one of those things where I try to think about OTHER reasons people could be preoccupied.

Sheesh. Sounds like the guy you encountered on the street is the one with a problem. I agree that people shouldn't assume somebody is snobby just because they don't greet everyone as they ride/run/walk/whatever...lots of more likely reasons as others have already stated, and it's awfully unfair to judge people by one little passing thing like that.

[OakLeaf]

That smile thing is just garden variety street harassment. It's one of the things that gets a lot of play in the Hollaback movement. That you don't hear it every day, any more, is a testament to how well the anti-street-harassment efforts have been working.

[nuliajuk]

Ya know… I'm actually a bit bothered by the idea that people who are simply not socially outgoing are being instantly labeled snobby….some of us are introverts, it's nothing to do with you personally, we just don't necessarily interact with strangers all that readily…..

This.