How do you deal with people at work?
11-19-11 | 07:50 PM
#101
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11-19-11 | 08:02 PM
#102
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 386
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From: Brooklyn, New York
Bikes: Trek 3900, Trek 2.3
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on the forums to post but I have been lurking. I guess it's time I start participating again.
Any way, I've been commuting to work since August, and for the most part people at work have been cool with it. I've even had a few people ask for advice so they could start riding. But, there is the occasional person that likes to be a jerk. The other day I had a guy come up to me and say "Hey, why can't you be like every body else and buy a car?"
My supervisor also likes to single me out, in front of every one and ask how I'm going to get to work in the winter, just to laugh at me while I explain that the trail is in fact plowed, and it won't be an issue.
I know some of you have been commuting a lot longer then me, how do you handle resistance from your coworkers that just don't seem to get it?
As a side note, I have yet to miss a day of work. I've commuted through the storms, dodged the fallen trees, and gone eight miles on the trail without a light when mine died, there was even some snow last week. I've loved every minute of it, and to be honest, if I had to drive, I'd probably quit my job.
Any way, I've been commuting to work since August, and for the most part people at work have been cool with it. I've even had a few people ask for advice so they could start riding. But, there is the occasional person that likes to be a jerk. The other day I had a guy come up to me and say "Hey, why can't you be like every body else and buy a car?"
My supervisor also likes to single me out, in front of every one and ask how I'm going to get to work in the winter, just to laugh at me while I explain that the trail is in fact plowed, and it won't be an issue.
I know some of you have been commuting a lot longer then me, how do you handle resistance from your coworkers that just don't seem to get it?
As a side note, I have yet to miss a day of work. I've commuted through the storms, dodged the fallen trees, and gone eight miles on the trail without a light when mine died, there was even some snow last week. I've loved every minute of it, and to be honest, if I had to drive, I'd probably quit my job.
11-19-11 | 08:30 PM
#103
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,276
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From: all the way down under
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There's a difference between a friendly coworker joking around with you and a belligerent one insulting you for your chosen mode of transport. Only we as individuals are in a position to make that distinction.
I've had a quite unfit and overweight coworker ask me why I don't drive like "normal" people, my response was along the lines of "please don't die of your first heart attack, that way you can continue to serve as an example of why I choose to ride my bike... heck, you might even wise up too!".
I've had a quite unfit and overweight coworker ask me why I don't drive like "normal" people, my response was along the lines of "please don't die of your first heart attack, that way you can continue to serve as an example of why I choose to ride my bike... heck, you might even wise up too!".
11-19-11 | 09:46 PM
#104
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
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There's a difference between a friendly coworker joking around with you and a belligerent one insulting you for your chosen mode of transport. Only we as individuals are in a position to make that distinction.
I've had a quite unfit and overweight coworker ask me why I don't drive like "normal" people, my response was along the lines of "please don't die of your first heart attack, that way you can continue to serve as an example of why I choose to ride my bike... heck, you might even wise up too!".
I've had a quite unfit and overweight coworker ask me why I don't drive like "normal" people, my response was along the lines of "please don't die of your first heart attack, that way you can continue to serve as an example of why I choose to ride my bike... heck, you might even wise up too!".
11-19-11 | 10:22 PM
#105
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 22
From: Calgary
Bikes: 2018 Ghost Square Trekking B2.8 e-bike; 2015 MEC Cote gravel/touring bike; 1985 Boyes-Rosser tourer, now outfitted as Winter Trundle-bike
I think if I worked with someone who asked me why I couldn't be "normal" and buy a car like everyone else, I'd be hard put not to laugh out loud. I think the last time someone gave me that particular line, I was 13 years old!
I might ask the co-worker why they care so much. Or, depending on the day, I might stop and say "wow. Had a junior-high-school flashback there. I could have sworn you just tried to peer-pressure me. Weird. So, how about them [insert random sports team]?" and make it very clear that I was not going to even recognise that as having any bearing on me whatsoever.
I've had a supervisor get bent out of shape about my biking, but I'd already demonstrated that public transit wasn't reliable enough (due to road construction and route changes that happened after I got the job) and I told my supervisor straight out that unless I got a substantial raise, there was no way I could or would consider purchasing, insuring, and maintaining a vehicle.
I might ask the co-worker why they care so much. Or, depending on the day, I might stop and say "wow. Had a junior-high-school flashback there. I could have sworn you just tried to peer-pressure me. Weird. So, how about them [insert random sports team]?" and make it very clear that I was not going to even recognise that as having any bearing on me whatsoever.
I've had a supervisor get bent out of shape about my biking, but I'd already demonstrated that public transit wasn't reliable enough (due to road construction and route changes that happened after I got the job) and I told my supervisor straight out that unless I got a substantial raise, there was no way I could or would consider purchasing, insuring, and maintaining a vehicle.
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