Commuting - Stupid comment by co-workers

Why is it when I get to work after commuting in, do staff make STUPID comments to me.

Last week a lady says to me: I didn't recognise you, I thought you were one of those bike courier blokes!

Yesterday my boss sees me in the corridor heading to the shower and he says: The Tour de France is that way. (pointing north) At least he knows that the Tour exists.

Another colleague says to me, whenever I ride in: Your in today, I thought you weren't coming in. (I always start later when I ride in, but that's allowed because of Flexi-time) He knows I don't get sick, so if I'm in later it's because I'm riding in, so why say that every morning?

Are these people short of interesting conversation, or do they feel they have to make silly comments as they pass me in the corridor?

CHEERS.


Mark

Two choices, Mark -- either ignore their comments or be ready with a witty response of your own.

I often get "I didn't realise you were in."

This comes from the fact that my car isn't in the carpark. IT'S NEVER IN THE CAR PARK. Everyone knows I ride but it seems the measure of whether someone is at work is if their car is on display.

Sounds like they are nervious like a kid askin a girl out for the first time. Or you work with a bunch of zombies. Its not easy being diffrent, gives the pod people headaches!!!
kev

I tend to get the "did you ride?" quite often. That's understandable though. I get the undercover parking space that most people in this firm (apart from the spankys) don't get. I have the advantage of not actually taking up anyone's parking space :D .

The other one I get is "Will you ride during winter?".

Heck, I survived summer didn't I? In Queensland, winter is easy by comparison.

Originally posted by Dutchy
Are these people short of interesting conversation, or do they feel they have to make silly comments as they pass me in the corridor?

Mark

I get the same kind of "dumb" comments like --

"I can't believe you rode all that way."
"What do you do if it rains?"
"Aren't you afraid of getting hit?"

I think they are embarrassed by their own lack of physical activity (most are overweight) or the fact that I am much older than they are.

I have offered to do lunchtime or weekend beginner rides with them to get them started but no takers yet.
My manager (15 years younger than me) keeps telling me he might do it, but it has been over 6 months so he probably never will. I've noticed that his stomach is getting larger every month. :eek:

I get the same thing. This morning a guy who rides regularly, but exclusively on the bike paths says:
‘I tried riding in to work once and almost got hit. TOO DANGEROUS!’.
Funny part of it is I’ve been riding seriously for about 15 years and have had 2 serious crashes and both of them were on the very path he rides, once just a few moments after passing him.
Go figure.

I've always gotten stupid comments from co-workers too. I've been showing up at my various jobs over the years on a bike and have heard: (BTW my retort is usually tempered if they seem interested instead of being obnoxious about it.)

You rode all that way? - No I walked next to the bike.

Do you plan on ever riding in the Tour de France (Yes I actually had a man say that - I retort - "Do you ever plan on trying out for the Cleveland Indians baseball team?)

You must be soaked - After arriving on a rainy morning - No kidding what was your first clue Sherlock besides my dripping all over the carpet?

Ooohh! Look at those legs! Said as a tease from the women - They wish their legs looked this good! Shaved and all.

Ooohh! I love your lycra! - Hey don't get too excited there. Maybe I should file a sexual harrassment lawsuit.

What are those things on the bottom of your shoes? Cleats baby! Then you have explain the concept of clipless pedals as they stare at you with a blank expression feigning interest.

Doesn't that skinny little seat hurt when you ride? No I say, I have a skinny little a** and it fits perfectly;)

I think overall though that most of my present and past co-workers are jealous that they can't spend their mornings outside and breathing fresh air rather than trapped in a traffic jam in the car. They are just too chicken to even think about trying.

P.S.
I'm not really as much of a smarta** as my comments might make you think. I usually try to get people interested in riding and let them know that it is fun, good for you and not as hard as it it may appear.

I don’t mind those comments you mention, Dutchy. I think it’s the usual friendly small talk, applied to you and you bike, hence bike comments!

But on a second thought I think it’s different in USA where everyone goes by car. Many of my colleagues commute, so it’s not a big deal. For an American driver, biking is probably as scary as other things that stand out. Like, being a vegetarian... :eek:

I'm fortunate enough to work in an environment -- a natural science museum -- where there are a lot of bike commuters, and a great deal of sensitivity to the issues that make bike commuting such a desirable alternative to driving. Also, with the pay scales around here, the economy of bike commuting is unusally attractive to many of us!

So the comments here from non-cyclists tend to be of the "I really ought to be..." "I wish I could..." variety.

Having a work environment so conducive to bike commuting is a
great fringe benefit. We all have indoor, secure bike parking, and a general sense of institutional support.

RichC

Two choices, Mark --

actualy, you have a third:

The first time I rode to my current job, my boss made fun of my lycra shorts ( I reeeealy like your shorts, etc. I simply made it a point to go past his office every time I was dressed in my gear to tell him (and enyone else he was with) that I was wearing his favorite shorts that day "just for him". Best time was when he was walking out to his car with the superintendant and I got to shout it across a parking lot full of people.

Everyone at my place of employment is afraid to make any such comments. Someone filed a sexual harrassment complaint about 2 years ago and WON!!
Now we have semi-annual meetings with an HR rep to "remind" us what comments and conduct are appropriate. :D

So no one dares say anything about my lycra shorts, good looking legs, etc.

Having only been commuting by bike something over a year maybe I'm still in the honeymoon phase. I get a kick out of the silly comments. On the other hand, since I haven't gotten to or from work other than by bicycle in over a year, rain or shine (except last Monday, about which I posted elsewhere) you'd think people would have gotten tired of asking "Did you ride in the (rain/cold whatever) this morning?" In all fairness, these are people that don't necessarily see me every day. My close co-workers know the answer. :)
Regards,
Raymond

Aren't we getting a little sensitive about dopey comments? That's half the problem here in the USA, all the hyper-sensitive, polically correct crap. Then these bogus law suits clogging up the system, wasting tax-payer $$'s because so-and-so looked at me and I felt dirty or he/she hurt me with his/her words. Lighten up people.
Some people are probably looking for small talk and might actually be interested in biking but just haven't done it. The bike pants .. well they are jealous of how good it make our asses look. :D
:beer:

I"m not sensitive to the comments. I just laugh them off. All in good fun. Mostly it is the women that make fun because they are always complaining how fat they look in lycra and won't let anyone see them in their step-aerobics classes. Pretty funny actually. I try and tell them that there are women in our bike club that don't care what anyone thinks about their lycra shapeliness.

Hey I'm too old to give a sh** what anyone thinks about how I dress for cycling. Let them say and think what they want. No harm to me. They are just showing their ignorance about the rest of the world. No law suits needed here.:p

I would just think of some comments to make about cars, or however those people get to work. They work for me when the skaters make comments on bikes.:beer:

yea, like the guy that cut me off on a turn this morning had an “'I’d rather be flying”' license plate cover. I would rather he was flying too, he sure as hell didn't belong on the road

I think I'm missing out here. No-one really makes these comments to me. Actually we've got a prety high bike commuter index (B.C.I.) here where I work. Unusually for this country, bike commuting is pretty well accepted in my workplace. Sometimes we make deliberately stupid comments to each other - usually the ol' 'Dja get wet?' on a rainy day. My response to this question is either 'Only on the outside.' or 'Only a lot.'

I occasionally get the 'Do you really ride from Wynnum?' sort of question. I usually shrug it off with 'It's only 20km.' but I am for some reason vaguely dissapointed when they say 'oh, is that all.'

I occasionally get the 'Do you really ride from Wynnum?' sort of question. I usually shrug it off with 'It's only 20km.' but I am for some reason vaguely dissapointed when they say 'oh, is that all.'

You could mumble sonething like, "Well, it is only 20,000 meters."

I just thought I'd clarify my post. I don't get offended by peoples comments, their just trying to be polite, so it's not any sort of sexual harassment issue. Although there are quite a few young ladies.......... sorry I digress.:p I think people should learn to be more "thick skinned" to comments, the whole PC thing is getting way out of hand. My beef is mainly with people I see every day stating the bleeding obvious: you ride in today? No one has ever actually asked me: have a good ride this morning?, which route do you take?, how was that HEADWIND this morning? they have no idea.

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by bikeman
I'm not really as much of a smarta** as my comments might make you think.

WHY NOT?


Originally posted by stumpjumper
actualy, you have a third:

The first time I rode to my current job, my boss made fun of my lycra shorts ( I reeeealy like your shorts, etc. I simply made it a point to go past his office every time I was dressed in my gear to tell him (and enyone else he was with) that I was wearing his favorite shorts that day "just for him". Best time was when he was walking out to his car with the superintendant and I got to shout it across a parking lot full of people.


:lol: :roflmao: :lol:

Originally posted by swekarl
For an American driver, biking is probably as scary as other things that stand out. Like, being a vegetarian... :eek:
Hey, I'm a year around commuter and a vegetarian. Talk about setting yourself up...(for a long, enjoyable life). :D

Yes, I too have been asked by a co-worker if I were going to ride in the Tour de France. My reply...."Um, I don't think so." (OK, I'm not real quick with the retorts). Every couple of days, someone says some smart remark about my cycling, but I don't even bother to respond. "You ride your bicycle to work?" (As they snicker). What I would like to say..."I suppose I could drive, but that seems a bit excessive." Another, "You bike 5 miles to work?" As if I were crossing the Mojave Desert on ice skates. And the other day, when I wore my baggy bike shorts (with the cinching straps around the leg), my boss repeatedly pulled the straps through out the day, saying "When's the parachute going to open?" :rolleyes:

As we all know, it is entirely based on jealousy. I hear the same kind of remarks about my slender build. At 6ft, 150 lb., I am often refered to as skinny, or chicken legs (I do have thin legs). But, a while back, I noticed that the only people that say these things are a bit on the chunky side. I guess, ya just gotta get used to it.

Just smile and know you are a better person for commuting on your bike. You are not poluting and likely much healthier for your efforts.

When your co-workers say "I'd hate to be you today" on a rainy or snowy day. I like to respond with a sarcastic "I'd hate to be you any day"

When your co-workers say "I'd hate to be you today" on a rainy or snowy day. I like to respond with a sarcastic "I'd hate to be you any day"
Though, "Hey! I love being me. I'm friggin' great!" would probably be better received. ;)

Lately I've been getting really sarcastic comments like, "ride safe", or "have fun out there," or "have a nice ride." Stupid people. :D

I get comments about riding my bike into work, along the lines of "Wow, I can't believe you rode all the way in today?" and "don't you get cold?" But I really don't think they mean in it in an unfriendly way, I think they are surprised just because bike commuting is pretty uncommon. But I think it is more admiration then it is insult- you are showing a level of toughness that they aren't.

One of the bosses I don't ever have to deal with thinks I am a total idiot for riding my bike in, that I don't deserve to be on the road, and that riding a bike in the city is tantamount to suicide. My other boss says I look like a child, or a homeless guy, very often. Other people ask if I'm going out to war. Other people call me robocop with the lights. The way I responds depends on the person I'm talking to and my mood. I only got TdF comments when the race was on but thats because I was telling everyone about it.

There are also a lot of office 'mothers' who give me all sorts of motherly advice about wearing a helmet and having lights. Thanks, I'm frickin holding a helmet thats flashing while you speak to me.

Wow, this thread was resurrected from like 5 years ago, cool.

Oh well, i'll chime in. Today, as a co-worker is standing beside my bike he says, "Did you drive in today?". I'm like, "No, you're standing beside my bike.". He's like, "But I saw a ford focus station wagon outside.".

A couple of things to note, the last time I had my car at work was 11 months ago. Second, there must be a billion ford focus station wagons in calgary.

For me, it's gotten to the point that unless the weather is really crappy out, they don't even notice beyond a 'nice day for a ride' comment on the truly nice days. But once it turns ugly, they all start asking if I need a ride home, I can't believe you rode in this routine. As for the Lance Armstrong comments, I enjoy them.

My favorite is "I saw your bike outside, did you ride in today?"

No, it bucked me off in the driveway and came on its own. :rolleyes:

Why is it when I get to work after commuting in, do staff make STUPID comments to me.

Last week a lady says to me: I didn't recognise you, I thought you were one of those bike courier blokes!

Yesterday my boss sees me in the corridor heading to the shower and he says: The Tour de France is that way. (pointing north) At least he knows that the Tour exists.

Another colleague says to me, whenever I ride in: Your in today, I thought you weren't coming in. (I always start later when I ride in, but that's allowed because of Flexi-time) He knows I don't get sick, so if I'm in later it's because I'm riding in, so why say that every morning?


I hardly see any of the comments as divisive. Is your skin really that thin?

I actually have to bite my tongue usually as most of the remarks that want to jump out of my mouth are rather scathing. Like the time that a colleague told me he had to borrow his fathers car :eek: to drive the 1.5 miles to work while his SUV was in the shop. About 5 minutes later it came up in conversation that I ride my bike to work and he replies, "Why the hell would you do that?" :rolleyes: I just smiled and said "If you have to ask you wouldn't understand" and walked away.

About the PC thing: I don't think anyone here is really offended by these comments, but peoples lack of wit really gets old after a while. If I never hear someone say, "Look the cops are coming for you!" when I walk into a store it will not be too soon. Heck, I even appreciate a good insult as long as it is funny and original.

When I first started, I was storing my bike in the glass-walled server room so everyone knew I was riding. I got a lot of comments, mostly in amazement that I'd attempt the ride given the traffic.

I've since started keeping the bike in a downstairs utility room where I also change. I doubt anyone sees me at all anymore. And the comments have stopped

I'm a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an "advocate" by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think knowing a real person who rides is a good thing for people. Maybe they'll consider riding. Maybe they'll think twice while approaching the next cyclist.

I couldn't care less about any negative comments. Couldn't be any worse than I think about them when they crawl out of their huge SUVs.

Yeah, I get "Biker Dude" comments from my co-workers every so often, but I have a much, much more relaxed attitude from riding a bike, so their verbal jabs just deflect away harmlessly. I usually have some fun when they are discussing the price of gasoline, and I just chime in by saying " I haven't bought any gas in months, what is the price of gasoline?" :D

They wont say a word at work..... I'm the boss.. at least have not heard them....

I posted a few months ago that it annoys me that my team lead says "Have a safe ride" almost every single night. The consensus seemed to be that I was too thin-skinned. After all, he was showing concern for me. But to me, it sounds condescending. He doesn't say that to my other co-workers who drive.:mad:

But what's most annoying is the occasional "wicked witch of the west" comment and music rendition (from the scene where Auntie Em is pedalling furiously on her bike). :rolleyes:

There's no such thing as stupid comments, only stupid co-workers. :p

They wont say a word at work..... I'm the boss.. at least have not heard them....

I've actually noticed allot of "Bosses" or Exec's, upper management ect.. type of people either ride in to work or make positive comments about my riding to work. The problem with negative comments seem to come from the employees that seem to be jeleous (read "in debt up to their eyeballs), fat, lazy & just plain mean anyway. For the guys/gals running the company I'm probably a more well balanced and productive employee for riding my bike and they notice that. Anyone else really doesn't count.. :)

Cheers.

Don't you love it when you get on the elevator in jersey and bibs with the helmet hair and a backpack and some Mensa member asks "Hey, did you ride to work or something?"

No, I dress like this to ride the bus, genius.

Co-worker : Hey, I saw you this morning; you don't ride very fast, do you (chuckles).
Me : Hey, I noticed your car too this morning; at least I was moving! (re-chuckles).
(All in good humour, mind you.)

i can't relate. my co-workers are too busy telling me how handsome and awesome i am.

Last week a lady says to me: I didn't recognise you, I thought you were one of those bike courier blokes!


OK, me being a wannabe fakenger, I would totally take that as a compliment! :D

"How can you ride in every day?"

"I don't understand how anyone can drive every day."

I have a coworker who lives about a mile from the office. She pays for a monthly parking spot and drives almost every day even though there are perfectly good sidewalks between the office and her home. Driving probably saves her about 5 minutes each way. Someone else bought a house 45 miles from the office and has to deal with that commute twice a day. Those are the people I don't understand.

I think my place of work is pretty cool, if I forget to lock my bike in the morning there is always someone on my shift who reminds me which means they must be looking at my bike on the way from the car park. Also I've been commuting for 30 or so months now and have not had a day off of riding except when I ran to work during my marathon training so everybody knows I'm a commuter.

Co-worker : Hey, I saw you this morning; you don't ride very fast, do you (chuckles).
Me : Hey, I noticed your car too this morning; at least I was moving! (re-chuckles).
(All in good humour, mind you.)
Conversely, one morning a co-worker noted that she had passed me on the way in, yet she was walking into work from the parking lot just as I was parking at the rack by the door, so she was surprised that I got there so fast and complimented me. :)

I get the worse comments from some of my roadie friends.

"You know, you're not suppose to train that hard in the winter."
(Who's training?)

"You're gonna wind up getting hurt or killed."
(What's the difference from riding during the week or commuting during the week. Some of these guys think that there is some cosmic force that protects you more if you are out on a "bike ride" compared to a commute)


Oh and because I'm a little faster and stronger during our group rides, I'm constantly berated for being "ON" all the time. “I need to learn about periodization training.”
(Yes, there is a race later next month that I’m in. But, my goodness, I’m not at my peak just because I can keep up with the fast guys or I go off the front on a climb. I’m a little stronger than last year BECAUSE I’ve been commuting. Which I love to do. Yes, I love it.)

"How can you ride in every day?"

"I don't understand how anyone can drive every day."

I have a coworker who lives about a mile from the office. She pays for a monthly parking spot and drives almost every day even though there are perfectly good sidewalks between the office and her home. Driving probably saves her about 5 minutes each way. Someone else bought a house 45 miles from the office and has to deal with that commute twice a day. Those are the people I don't understand.

Many around here live a half hour drive away, so I get home about the same time they do.

I had a friend tell me Friday, when we entering a bar after work (I was locking my bike), that I was cheap bast*rd. Four of us are there and he's the only one to not buy a pitcher. What an ass. The other 7 or 8 guys I hang out with are all envious of what I do, but live too far away to try it.

Many around here live a half hour drive away, so I get home about the same time they do.

I had a friend tell me Friday, when we entering a bar after work (I was locking my bike), that I was cheap bast*rd. Four of us are there and he's the only one to not buy a pitcher. What an ass. The other 7 or 8 guys I hang out with are all envious of what I do, but live too far away to try it.

There ain't no such thing as living too far away. Tell em to think park-n-ride. ;)

Never had a sarcastic remark - none, zero, zip. A lot of positive statements - and prayers for my well being ( May God go with you Don Fred ). They have said that they think I am very brave (if you saw the incline of the gravel hill I go down, you would understand their comment - but with clipless and a good bike, it is nothing really)

People are naturally polite here - and I just happen to be an owner and the president of the company. I also am 6'2" and 192 lbs and the average here is 5'4" and about 130 - but I am sure it is only that they are very polite. :D