negative comments

[pigsbladder]

I thought back and forth about posting this but it's so frustrating I just have to get it off my chest. I've been riding for about a month now and I'm really enjoying it. Even more than I thought I would actually, but that isn't my point.

Please tell me how I can deflect all the negative comments from work colleagues who think they're "funny" by saying things like, "I hope your wife is upping your life insurance", "I knew a guy who had a bike..... *story ends up with dude in hospital or dead*" I have to hear this every time riding or bikes are brought up.

I nearly lost it today. I actually said I thought the comments were rude and uncalled for. I wish they would just keep their damn thoughts to themselves and leave me alone. We'll see what happens, but I will have a serious word with the next person who decides it'd be funny to have a go at me.

Do you guys have any advice?
Thanks

[DustyJacket]

It will get worse.

Soon, people who hears you are riding will relate the story of someone getting killed or maimed in a crash.

If they are getting to be a jerk, I just wave them off with a "whatever".

Others, I just ignore their stories.

[nate1714]

they are all just jelous....and what i like to do is when people pull that sh.t i tell them that i am aware of the dangers and i clearly am fine with them and if they are scared its there right just i am not as scared and i like to ride....

[dr_bar]

There are arguments for both sides... For example;


In 2004 there were 4,008 motorcycle fatalities in the USA. I think a rough annual average of motor vehicle fatalities is approx 45,000, less the 4000M/C accidents, that leaves 41,000 fatalities. Hmmmmm, it seems that cars are pretty dangerous...

[Septimus]

Maybe somebody here with a better grasp of the statistics than I have can illustrate this better, but my understanding is that you are about sixteen times more likely to get killed on a motorcycle than you are in a car ...

... but if you subtract from the statistics the number of bikers who were drunk and not licensed to drive, that number goes down quite a lot.

If you further subtract people who have no formal training (i.e. the MSF course) then it is about on par with cars.

This is completely un-scientific and based on a quick read of several different sources from several years. The most startling one had to do with a New Hampshire statistic within the last few years -- in one year, 38 motorcyclists died. In the next year, 42 died. Of the 38, 1 had taken the MSF course; of the 42, 2 had.

I'm just starting myself and had my first spill today during a lesson (the only casualty was my gloves....good thing they don't collect statistics on those). When people I know get alarmed that I'm considering buying a bike, I offer to tell them went into the decision and education about motorcycles (which gives me a chance to talk about a couple of the bigger issues that a lot of people don't know and that I certainly didn't know before I came here!). Typically this forces them to either say yes and indulge me in brow-beating them with an on-the-spot lesson, or else they say no and it's obvious to anyone else around that they're just talking to hear the sound of their voice.

FWIW...I walked away from my (low-speed) wipeout because of my full-face helmet ... otherwise i'd probably have needed stitches on my chin (I don't even remember hitting my chin, but the helmet's scratches say otherwise). If I'd had full protective gear -- real riding pants & a jacket instead of a light leather jacket and jeans (the real stuff arrives later this week) then I'd have been completely unharmed. Other than my pride.

[telefunkin]

The first thing I do when I arrive at work is "dog" about getting merged into by some chick in a minivan talking on a cell phone, some jerk in a civic rolling a stop sign and cutting me off, or some old dude in a big "O Ring" oldsmobile or caddy riding my "O Ring" so close that braking fast would be deadly. After that they generally leave me alone.

I Assume that they've either realised that they did this to someone(possibly me) on there way in to work, or that I already know how dangerous riding is based on my tales of near death.

[Gummiente]

Please tell me how I can deflect all the negative comments from work colleagues who think they're "funny" by saying things like, "I hope your wife is upping your life insurance", "I knew a guy who had a bike..... *story ends up with dude in hospital or dead*" I have to hear this every time riding or bikes are brought up.

Do you guys have any advice?

Throw it right back in their faces...

"I hope your wife is upping your life insurance" - Why, do you have plans on how to spend it with her?

"I knew a guy who had a bike..... *story ends up with dude in hospital or dead*" - Thanks for sharing that. Are you a smoker? I knew a guy who used to smoke...

Put THEM on the spot and make THEM uncomfortable. The worst thing you can do is let them know it really bothers you when they offer their unsolicited advice, because there are always a few bottom feeders that take great pleasure in making someone else miserable and they will continue to torment you.

Fire back some snappy answers to stupid questions. Stare at them quietly for a moment, then sadly shake your head and walk away. Pretend to ignore them and say "Oh, did you just say something? My crap filter is plugged and I didn't hear you". Grab their hand and try to pull them outside, while laughing maniacally and telling them they're coming with you on a Death Ride. Be creative.

DON'T let the b*stards get you down.

[flynrider]

The best advice I can give you is just ignore them. I've been riding for 27 yrs. and I still hear comments like that when I walk into work carrying my helmet. The people making them have no idea what they're missing, so I forgive them a bit of ignorance.

I also happen to fly small planes and skydive occasionally, so there's really no end to the unsolicited safety advice I receive. When someone feels the need to comment on my imminent death or dismemberment I'll usually thank them for their concern (with a hint of sarcasm) and move on.

[pigsbladder]

Thank you so much guys. I've taken an hour to relax, watched a bit of TV and got over my frustrations. I'm already prepared with rebuttal's for tomorrow should it come up again.

[telefunkin]

Maybe somebody here with a better grasp of the statistics than I have can illustrate this better, but my understanding is that you are about sixteen times more likely to get killed on a motorcycle than you are in a car ...

Statistically, it is less likely for you, as an individual, to get into an accident than it is for a Meteor to destroy the earth.

In Theory Communism works

Wearing a bicycle helmet doubles your chance of surviving an accident, but you are 2x's as likely to get into an accident while wearing one.