MORE Mr. Nice Guy
#1
Ex-Lion Tamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Posts: 1,152
Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
MORE Mr. Nice Guy
I'm giving it a try. No swearing at motorists for one week. No yelling at pedestrians.
Last edited by Bklyn; 09-27-07 at 01:18 PM.
#2
Senior Moment
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 240
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#3
Portland Fred
#5
This Space For Rent
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 657
Bikes: 2007 Specialized HardRock Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I must be lucky. I don't get a lot of situations that tick me off on my commute. I get the most upset when the car people are too polite and want to wait for me when it is their turn at a stop sign or whatever. Just move along. I don't need special treatment and will go when it is my turn.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Help! I've plummeted to my death, and I can't get up!
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sometimes I wish I had COMPLETE control over my gag reflexes. That way I could eat green pea soup before I ride, and when someone starts bickering I could just vomit all over them.
Yes, I'm a sick minded individual.
Yes, I'm a sick minded individual.
#9
put our Heads Together
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155
Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't yell at people who clearly won't hear me.
The number of people who really anger me and look like they could hear it if I swear at them is pretty small, so I don't swear much while out on the roads. A couple times a month, maybe. I guess I swear under my breath sometimes when a person really ticks me off but I don't have too many scary/anger-inducing encounters.
The number of people who really anger me and look like they could hear it if I swear at them is pretty small, so I don't swear much while out on the roads. A couple times a month, maybe. I guess I swear under my breath sometimes when a person really ticks me off but I don't have too many scary/anger-inducing encounters.
#10
Senior Member
Never, ever take the time to yell or swear at peds or motorists no matter how angry you may be...you only give the impression of a self-righteous jackass who has plenty of time to waste, and the ped or motorist is likely respond to you with more self-righteous jackass comments.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
Last edited by mihlbach; 09-27-07 at 07:32 PM.
#11
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Help! I've plummeted to my death, and I can't get up!
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Never, ever take the time to yell or swear at peds or motorists no matter how angry you may be...you only give the impression of a self-righteous jackass who has plenty of time to waste, and the ped or motorist is likely respond to you with more self-righteous jackass comments.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brooklyn, NY. Made in France
Posts: 1,139
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Never, ever take the time to yell or swear at peds or motorists no matter how angry you may be...you only give the impression of a self-righteous jackass who has plenty of time to waste, and the ped or motorist is likely respond to you with more self-righteous jackass comments.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
That said, in long island there is less congestion and generally a greater distance between lights, hence, less opportunity to catch up to the idiot and let them know just how much of an idiot they are. So more often than not without that opportunity, one would likely have to adapt and learn to deal with the anger/frustration on their own rather than shouting and tantruming at someone and a situation long passed.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,819
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What are you thinking? You live in New York for Christ's sake! You do that and people will think you are a tourist. Sure, that sort of behavior might be acceptable in California, where people are all concerned about color video and feelings. But it's not the norm in the black and white film world of New York City where it's dog eat dog and scratching and crawling your way to the top. Dam it... you have a cultural legacy to uphold!
#14
Ex-Lion Tamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Posts: 1,152
Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, that was a nice idea. It lasted for about six blocks.
But I did learn something. I can resist the urge to single out a transgressor and make it personal. That, I can do. But I am powerless to stop my running monologue of invective as I ride:
Where the f**k do you think you're going?
Or Red light, jackass, red light.
I'm in this lane, I'm in this lane!
All while smiling and spinning happily down 9th Avenue.
But maybe that's O.K. At best, it's like Glenn Gould humming along to the Goldberg Variations — a little crazy, but all in the service of great art. At worst, I might be a Tourette's candidate. And I can live with either of those.
And this just made me spit coffee:
"Color video"!
It's my new signer!
But I did learn something. I can resist the urge to single out a transgressor and make it personal. That, I can do. But I am powerless to stop my running monologue of invective as I ride:
Where the f**k do you think you're going?
Or Red light, jackass, red light.
I'm in this lane, I'm in this lane!
All while smiling and spinning happily down 9th Avenue.
But maybe that's O.K. At best, it's like Glenn Gould humming along to the Goldberg Variations — a little crazy, but all in the service of great art. At worst, I might be a Tourette's candidate. And I can live with either of those.
And this just made me spit coffee:
It's my new signer!
#15
Papa Wheelie
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,470
Bikes: Jamis Aurora '02; Takara Medalist (650B)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Never, ever take the time to yell or swear at peds or motorists no matter how angry you may be...you only give the impression of a self-righteous jackass who has plenty of time to waste, and the ped or motorist is likely respond to you with more self-righteous jackass comments.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
When a motorist, ped, or other cyclists does something stupid and gets in your way, just keep your eyes on the road and shake your head in an obvious gesture of frustration. At that instant, you have exude seriousness, as if you are annoyed but you don't have any time to waste. You have to look as if you were headed to some emergency or trying to win the the most important race ever. Its the best way to make someone feel a little stupid and belittled, but at the same time, it won't give them the chance to respond to your self-righteous reactionary bull**** with more self-righteous reactionary bull****.
YOu are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
If you look for conflict with motorists on your commute, you are only advancing the negative divide between autos and cyclists. Just keep your head down, enjoy your ride, and get to/from work. Wave to your nemesis as you go by... and smile.
If it's really that bad, get a car or take the train.
#16
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 1,416
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know about the rest of you, but it is extremely rare that I have a go at some idiot on the road in or outside of town. Happens maybe once or twice a year at best and usually in September when this place fills up with undergraduates turned loose in cars paid for by their parents.
#17
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
Yeah, that's true for me too. I've started trying to engage people in conversation -- like if I'm stopped at a light and there's a taxi next to me, with the window down, I'll say hello to the driver, ask how he's doing. Same with another bicyclist, or whatever. And oddly, it really helps my attitude; exchanging good mornings with one taxi driver somehow makes all the other taxi drivers less oppressive.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Posts: 81
Bikes: Rans V-Rex, Greenspeed GTR 2020
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
What are you thinking? You live in New York for Christ's sake! You do that and people will think you are a tourist. Sure, that sort of behavior might be acceptable in California, where people are all concerned about color video and feelings. But it's not the norm in the black and white film world of New York City where it's dog eat dog and scratching and crawling your way to the top. Dam it... you have a cultural legacy to uphold!
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
#20
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE=unkchunk;5350565] But it's not the norm in the black and white film world of New York City where ...QUOTE]
Noir York?
Noir York?
#21
Very Senior Member
Yeah, that's true for me too. I've started trying to engage people in conversation -- like if I'm stopped at a light and there's a taxi next to me, with the window down, I'll say hello to the driver, ask how he's doing. Same with another bicyclist, or whatever. And oddly, it really helps my attitude; exchanging good mornings with one taxi driver somehow makes all the other taxi drivers less oppressive.
Man, those village idiots have all the fun.
__________________
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
#22
J3L 2404
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 1,075
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Nova
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, but that sort of monologue is part of city riding... I'm constantly mumbling, too. It's made worse by the fact that most people around me can't understand what I'm saying, so I don't have to worry about keeping it under my breath. This has led to some awkward situations when I'm back in Canada...
__________________