Why'd She SayThat?
 

On my way home last night, about 6:30 I was coming up on an intersection, I noticed a car waiting at the stop sign. I briefly glanced at it to so my helmet light would get the driver's attention. After rolling past the intersection, I noticed the car turned in my direction. As the car pulled past me, the driver (I think it was the driver, though it could have been a passenger - there was a big dog hanging out the back window, so I didn't get a good look at the passenger side) yelled out "Good Job!" The tone was truly complimentary, so I don't think it was meant to be sarcastic. I've been trying to figure out why she (definitely a woman's voice) said it (or anything). Couple of theories:

• This was the first rain of the season and I was decked out in full rain jacket and pants and she was happy to see anyone out riding.

• When I ride at night I'm lit up pretty well (Niterider Lumina 650 on bars, Dinotte XML-3 on helmet, NR Solas on back of trunk bag, NR Solas on back of jacket, Dinotte XML-3 on left seat stay, cheap blinky on left wrist, reflective vest, reflective bands on ankles, etc.) - maybe she was happy I made it easy for her to see a bicycle was approaching.

• Maybe she was being sacrastic, or talking to her dog

I guess I'll never know. I think I'll dismiss the third possibility and go on assuming it was one of the first two. At any rate, it gave me a good feeling knowing I was doing something right (even if I didn't know what it was).

I realize no one else here has any way to know that particular woman's motivation for yelling out at me, but I just felt like posting this.

Ride safe,

KB

It happened to me once too; at a stop light taking the full left lane for a left turn at night. Had NR Minewt2 lights and a Superflash at the back. I'm pretty sure it wasn't sarcastic either. That's because my behavior was predictable and I was very easy to spot.

That's better than most ninja bikes and makes it a lot easier for drivers to know what to expect.

As a driver I sometimes feel like I should Kudos those who really know how to bike in traffic.

So my personal opinion: it was probable genuine. Take it like that, you did a good job :)

I usually can't understand what people yell at me from their cars (thankfully it doesn't happen often), so I just interpret it as "I see you! Keep up the good work!" :thumb:

+1

Maybe she is also a cyclist and wanted to yell something nice.

This. The dog's name was Job.

She wanted to get laid. :)

I don't see the problem. Maybe she was a fellow cyclist complementing you for whatever reason. As you point out the tone wasn't sarcastic.

Accept the compliment in the spirit it was given, enjoy the moment and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.

BTW- I often do the opposite. When a motorist or truck driver is unusually patient behind me, or otherwise extra courteous and I catch back up at a light, I'll often thank them for the courtesy shown. I want drivers to know that their good acts are appreciated.

Something similar for me happened last week. I was biking home at night after work and was at an intersection waiting for the light to turn. A car rolled up next to me and both the driver and the passenger were telling me how much they appreciated me being a "responsible" cyclist, and wanted to know where I got my lights and reflective gear. We exchanged some idle chit-chat waiting for the light. The passenger again thanked me as we both started to advance with the green light. And that's when the driver cut me off, turning right in front of me at the light. Oh, well... :lol:

Life would be so boring without it's little ironies.

agree! OP should've chatted with driver.

Excellent! I hadn't thought of that one.

See rule 16 of the Commutinati "Cheers, are sincere expressions of respect and admiration for the commuter personally and should be returned with a casually deliberate wave."

I merged over to the left turn lane one day, and it was red. First car to the straight lane said will all seriousness, "Thanks for using hand signals, it really helps in traffic!" we had a conversation about bike safety in traffic and how he's all about bikes as transportation, etc.

I've been called a "Saint" at work for my cycle commuting; personally I think of myself as a "Road Warrior." :D

She was complimenting you either for stopping or for having good lighting. A lot of cyclists don't.

She may have been admiring and commenting on your physique.

hahaha

Similar thing happened to me one day after climbing a hill.
It was puzzling but felt nice to have someone be nice instead of honking or being hateful

this

I bet it was your lights. I see way too many poorly-lit cyclists out at night.

That's what she said.

Can't believe I was the first to think of it.

Classic.

I agree. There were ten inches of his dick trying to escape his Spandex-trousers. Good job!

Hans :)

I think it's safe to say that this thread has drifted about as far afield as the Mods will allow.

is that what she said, or is that what you heard?

4) It always makes her happy to see the first Christmas tree of the season. Congrats for making her smile!

Or it could have been something else. Who knows.

So, let me get this straight... you flashed ;) her, she said "good job!", and... what was your question?!!!! :D

I had a fat old man pull over and get out of his SUV to flag me down and thank me for wearing bright clothing and having a bright Dinotte light on the rear of my bike (daytime riding with tree shadows). I thanked him for passing me safely and we both went our separate ways puzzled.

So we've moved from was probably a woman, possibly attractive, to what was definitely a fat old man. Maybe it's time we moved on before this slides downhill any further.

OP here. I have to agree. I think everything that needed to be said has been said. Thanks everyone for their, sometimes humorous (and sometimes disturbing) insights.

She thought you were cute. She yelled "good job" to thank your parents for their good genes.

A few years back, I posted on BF about it at the time, a guy in a pick up truck passed me while I was riding one night and yelled, "Go Reflettas!!!!"

He was cheery and upbeat as he yelled it and it seemed important so I just waved in return.

I couldn't, for the life of me, figure it out. Who are the Reflettas? A team? And why was he so adamant about it.

A day later as I donned my reflectorized vest for my ride home from work it struck me, "GOOD REFLECTORS!" Even after thirty years of living here I'm still getting used to the Boston accent.