OT - Politics, Religion... the taboos

[spazzdog]

I called it "the taboo's" because it encompasses all the subjects you're told should never be discussed at social gatherings, not because I particularly believe them to be "taboo subjects".

That's all...

[Veronica]

It's a shame that these types of discussion must be catagorized in a "taboo" section. That expressing one's belief causes other to get angry and upset.

On most other boards, this thread would have been deleted almost as soon as Spazzdog started it because the participants on other boards don't know how to play nice and respect each other. A lot of boards specifically say not to bring these topics up because they cause so much dissension. The anonymity of the net gives some individuals the freedom to be as rude and disrespectful as they want. We've demonstrated we can be more responsible, so we're given more freedom here.

I wonder if part of why we are so understanding of differences here is that many of us are not "anonymous." We've met, we've ridden together. We are a "community." Even those we've never met, we feel like we know. How many of us have read Denise's journal every day? I've never met her, but I'm reading her journal. How many of us are cheering Emily's recovery on? Again, I've never met her, but I'm thrilled that she's progressing well. I love my Brooks saddle and I wish Nuthatch's was working out better for her. I hope Surly gets her bike soon. When you're part of a group, you are more conscious of not upsetting it.

Now I need to think about going for a ride,


V.

[Trek420]

spazzdog suggests "Now somebody else pick the next "taboo". "

how about:
wearing a complete team kit in a race when you're not a member of the team and .....

can we wear missmatched bike socks?

oh, and I forgot when is it we have to stop wearing white? After Labor Day?

[SadieKate]

can we wear missmatched bike socks?

Only if you have another pair at home just like them.

[SadieKate]

wearing a complete team kit in a race when you're not a member of the team

My husband has this theory that if you can't translate every word on your jersey assume you're advertising condoms.

[CorsairMac]

My husband has this theory that if you can't translate every word on your jersey assume you're advertising condoms.

ROFLMAO - I gotta tell ya SK, the more I hear about your DH, the better I like that guy!! Tell him I think that's hilarious!!

can we wear missmatched bike socks?

ummm......ermmmm....I do. When my friends kid asked me why my socks didn't match I told her it was coz one was a boy sock and one was a girl sock!

[LBTC]

When my friends kid asked me why my socks didn't match I told her it was coz one was a boy sock and one was a girl sock!

In other words, the rest of us have gay socks! wow! I had no idea!



Namaste,
~T~

[Trek420]

LBTC "In other words, the rest of us have gay socks! wow! I had no idea!"

Just what I thought, I can't even ride my bike straight

[spazzdog]

youz grrls is cwackin' me up!

Full kit... noooooo. Such a "poser" thing to do. I don't even buy the pro jerseys, even though there are a couple I'd like to have (skittles team and jelly belly team... heaven help me if a gummy bear team ever happens).

Nothing makes me cringe so much as a fella with 'dun laps' disease huffin and puffin up the road in full USPS kit and ridin a pro TREK bike.

spazz (i know, that was kinda mean... i'm sorry already)

[singletrackmind]

Ooooh, my poor hubby.
Don't laugh too hard as he puffs by on his Mapei Colnogo w/jersey/shorts, ok? Does it help that bike, outfit and rider are all a little outdated??
That it's not the typical Lance getup?
That he harbors no unrealistic opinions of himself as a rider?

He may have a bit of a gut but he's almost everything I could ask for in a partner and I wouldn't trade him for any hardbodied dude on the planet.

(You weren't mean and I know what you mean but DH was what popped up when I read that....Don't tell him, he's having a bit of a complex lately and trying so awfully hard to ditch the belly...He's hot even with and not just 'cause it's a hunnert degrees out there! )

Say YES to civil unions for all people who wish them!!! I'm not religious, does that mean I'm unionized, not married?? Works for me. Just give EVERYONE equal rights already (why does this seem like such a no-brainer to me and so many others but hasn't been done already?)

[Veronica]

Ooooh, my poor hubby.
Don't laugh too hard as he puffs by on his Mapei Colnogo w/jersey/shorts, ok? Does it help that bike, outfit and rider are all a little outdated??
That it's not the typical Lance getup?
That he harbors no unrealistic opinions of himself as a rider?

Who are we to judge your hubby? Just as long as he says "hello" or something when we pass.

That's my latest thing - trying to engage riders in conversation as they pass me going up Diablo. I got one guy on Sunday to tell Thom that my orange jersey did NOT clash with my bike.

V.

[singletrackmind]

I'm the waver/says hi! person! He'd wave back though..

And clash? How can anyone possibly clash on a bike?? I figure the scarier you look the farther the cars will stay away (except those that tend to veer the direction they're staring ).

[Veronica]

Waves are good. I wave at people coming at me. I expect a wave or nod back. I understand people not waving when they're descending. I like my two hands on the bike thank you.

I meant folks who pass going in the same direction, need to say something.

V.

[singletrackmind]

You know, that whole acknowledges/doesn't acknowledge thing has been the topic of heated discussion on the local bike board. I agree with you, I'll say hi or wave or nod-it seems friendly and reasonable. I'm no great convo starter but I'll respond in some non-witty fashion if someone talks to me.
Being on a bike makes me feel a certain amount of camaraderie for others that share my need to pedal.

Some people don't care to communicate, I can respect that too (but I smell my armpits and wonder why )

[Veronica]

(but I smell my armpits and wonder why )

Maybe that's it. I've been riding in the morning and not bothering with a shower first. All I've done is sleep since the last one. Have I been forgetting the deoderant? Hmm...

V.