Please help my wife and me understand each other's opinion on this. Is it better to pass a cyclist or pedestrian with a single "ding" of your bell, or to verbalize "passing" or "on your left"?

She believes that words are less upsetting and more effective. She finds the bell offensive. Okay.

I'm partial to the "ding", because I think that it's distinct from the rest of the surrounding sounds. I think that both work fine, but the voice fails me. Especially if I'm working hard or am parched. The result from suddenly trying to speak is, well, underwhelming unless I yell.

Again, there's no animosity between us on this, just a difference of opinion.

What say you?

Phil