What do you say when non-cyclists ask you ....

[Starfish]

I enjoyed Run It, Ride It's post about horses. I have often been glad that I got into horses before I got into bikes. Now, the cost of bikes seem like a bargain!

Also, since my 1995 car blue books at about $300, I can tell people my bike is worth 4x more than my car! It cracks me up.

Finally, regarding those comments about a Wally World special being the same thing as, say, a Ruby, maybe there would be some response about a Dodge Dart not driving quite that same as that Ferrari 456 GT!

[RoadRaven]

More than my car...

But then, like Lisa, I usually ask if they are interested in getting into or furthering their cycling and reassure them not all bikes are expensive and even good bikes can be found cheaply (eg, my first road bike - a Scorpio - which my son now rides we bought second hand onTradeMe for $600NZ [it had only done about 50km] when its new price was over twice that)!

[smilingcat]

I REALLY RESENT PEOPLE ASKING ME HOW MUCH FOR YOUR ... HOW RUDE!!!

I even tell people that they are being rude!!! They still don't get it. So I ask, "how much for your outfit? your car? your house? what's your mortgage?" Still no clue. GRRR!!!!

When I had my litespeed I used to tell people it was made out of the same material as the famed american spy plane the SR-71 blackbird. Titanium. And I told them, my bike is reallyy expensive and it was really fasstt too. If they kept on bugging me I would exaggerate, it's around $10,000... nearly $1,000 per pound of weight. When people ask me a rude question, you'll never know what kind of answer I may give.

[lph]

My cycle buddies are also amazed that I still have the original chain ring, rear cassette and chain on my bike as well.

Wow, so am I!!

You must handle your bike real purty

When it comes to rude questions, by the way, nothing beats total strangers, finding out we have one child and immediately asking "So aren't you going to have any MORE??"

Uh, like it's any of their business? And for all they know we could have been trying for years, and be absolutely crushed by the idea that we couldn't have another... That's not the case, but that's exactly why they shouldn't be asking.

[uforgot]

You know, maybe it was my tightwad (and tightassed) Northeast upbringing, but I wouldn't dream of just going up to complete strangers and asking the price they paid for something. That is just freakin' rude.

(Now on this forum, that's a different matter.)

I had the same upbringing in the midwest. It's as rude to ask the price of a sandwich as it is a mortgage. Doesn't matter! My mother always told me to quote Dear Abby: "If you forgive me for not telling, I'll forgive you for asking". Which confused me somewhat as it also seems ungracious. These days I simply reply with "Why do you ask?".

[Tater]

I have found it is the same with photography equipment. I have had people tell me that their little point and shoot camera can do the same as my Canon kit for a much lesser price. Uh, okay. I have my reasons for getting the expensive lenses and body, just as I have my reasons for getting an expensive (to those who don't know) bike.

But I tend to agree that people who ask how much my bike or my camera cost are being rude. I'll usually tell them that it was more than what my truck is worth.

[Trekhawk]

When it comes to rude questions, by the way, nothing beats total strangers, finding out we have one child and immediately asking "So aren't you going to have any MORE??"

Uh, like it's any of their business? And for all they know we could have been trying for years, and be absolutely crushed by the idea that we couldn't have another... That's not the case, but that's exactly why they shouldn't be asking.

You know it should suprise me that people can be that rude but it doesn't. I have quite a few friends back in Aust that are married with no kids and they tell me that people are constantly asking them why they dont have kids?? It would never occur to me to ask such a personal question. I assume if people have zero, eight, four or whatever its because its what they choose.

[caligurl]

i just tell them..... it's not like if they really wanted to know.... they couldn't just open specialized's website.... prices are right there........

[pooks]

Oh, I blast 'em with both barrels. "So far, about $2,000, but with diligence, I'm pretty sure I can get it up to $3,000!" All this with a bright smile on my face.

When they express shock, I add: "It's cheaper than a heart attack."

I love that answer.

[GLC1968]

You know...no one has ever asked!

I've been asked "how much do bikes like that go for" but it's usually when I'm with my husband so we answer in general terms since both our bikes are different.

I get more people asking me what I paid for my car than for my bike (total strangers, too).

[Pax]

New twist on a similar theme...today a co-worker asked me "what is your credit score"? She's house hunting and has poor credit so it's a relevant topic but it felt pretty weird to be asked.

[Blueberry]

Can't say I've ever been asked about my credit score - that's right in line with how much money is in my bank account or what my salary is (I've been asked plenty of times). Not an open topic as far as I'm concerned.

Bikes - We are now riding our Bike Fridays a LOT and frequently get asked. It's usually phrased as "I'm sorry to be nosy, but that's really interesting..." Gives me a chance to say that you can get one for less than we paid, we did lots of upgrades for our riding style (schmidt hubs, lights, etc), etc. Otherwise, I fear many people would be scared off from the company who might really want a folding bike. When it's in that form, I'm totally fine with it. It's the "you paid HOW much for that thing" questions that PO me. I don't judge where you spend your money, don't judge where I spend mine....

Along a similar line, what's the best way to ask about someone's health without being offensive? I have a friend who has a serious, long term illness. She periodically mentions that she's going through a bad spell, or needs to go to the Doc. I never want to pry, but want to make sure she's OK. I usually say just that (and she did share all of this voluntarily with me originally, I should mention), but I really don't want her to feel like I'm intruding in her business too much.... Any thoughts??

[amymisk]

I usually just tell people, but I do love Lisa's answer. I've had lots of those questions since I just purchased a new bike, full carbon.

I agree that I think it is rude, it rates up with asking someone how much they weigh! I would never think to ask.

I might just add the bit about being cheaper than a heart attack.

[smilingcat]

my credit score?? must be pretty darn good.

Why would all the credit card companies keep sending me an application otherwise? And I'm pre-approved on all of them. Its nice that I can line my kitty litter box.

So seriously, my score must be in the billions and billions....

I hate credit card companies.
I try to go cash all the time. And I WISH TE would accept payment with direct transfer from my checking account instead of a CC!!

[pepe6599]

I smile and tell them that it was $600.00 and if they laugh or say something not cool then I suggest they buy me a bike. hehehehe.