Look... apparantly I've jack the thread and pissed everyone off, so I'm going to go back to lurking.. and i've got an interval ride this afternoon. The new bike isn't going to break itself in. I apologize if my world view offends any of you, I honestly don't relate to the civilian population that well anymore... not to mention im on a bicycling forum which, if we were to take a census, would probably show a more liberal proclivity than im used to dealing with on a daily basis.

I'll shut up now. Happy miles guys.

Yeah, there is a very clear difference. You have rage problems. See the chaplain, son.

But then he's gonna wanna cut you off/touch you again, then you him, then he you, then...

I was going to ask your MOS, before I took a quick look back at your username. Roger that! 11B here as well, 2ID, but the Ft Lewis variety. Headed to A'stan soon, just trying to get in as many miles as possible before leaving. Channel the frustration to the pedals - you know how to do it. Enjoy Benning/Stewart. Should be good riding around there.

Havent ever been, korea's been good... lots of hill climbs. Army didn't do the surgery I needed so I'm just going to let the ankle grenade and collect the disability check. I guess Stewart has a light brigade, so thats where I'm heading. I've gotta get back to the real world though... foreigners suck.

Until you Carlton Fisk his windshield with a Louisville Slugger, just to show him what an inconsiderate prick he is.

But in all seriousness, high fiving is something that should only be done by shirtless Naval aviators, and only while playing beach volleyball.

that kinda sounds like vicelord.

And this sounds kinda like you've thought about it waaay to much

Same same. You would respond with violence leading to injury to the other person just b/c they touched them.

You seem like a pretty reasonable guy to have a discussion with, so I'll refrain from being snarky (and apologize for my earlier snark as well).

But dont you think you are exaggerating quite a bit when you say that a simple hand on the shoulder is what often leads to violence? In society - atleast the societies I have lived in - casual contact happens with a lot of regularity and is not really a big deal.

I can understand if you say that you are not comfortable with random strangers touching you.

Even though I find it excessive, I can accept a "what the hell are you doing" response.

But I am struggling to understand how you think equating incidental contact to assault and responding with violence is somehow reasonable and acceptable.

If I accidentally bump into you in a bar, and give you a pat on the shoulder by way of apology, are you going to start punching me? Which of these 2 behaviors is atypical in society, do you think?

Ahhh. Point taken.

Does this bother you? I'm not touching you. *waves hands*

. . .

High five? I never leave a spectator hanging,

No problem, I'm used to rude believe it or not... You've actually been fairly engaging and show a desire to understand an alternate perspecive and discuss so I don't mind.

In most of the cultures I've lived in, casual contact only happens between people who know each other. Alot of asian cultures refrain from touching each other at all in public. Arabic cultures do no allow men and women to touch each other in public at all. Some south american cultures view close proximity as a threat. If you stare someone in the eye in any of these cultures its considered an invitation to fight.

A hand on the shoulder is leverage, its probably an exagerration to view it as such because it always comes down to intent, but with one hand on one of your sholders I can move you in any direction I want you to go.

No, But i'll probably grab the wrist and use it as leverage to then control the arm and from there do my best to ascertain your intent. Let's reverse it. If I bump into you in a bar, I'm not going to pat you on the sholder as an apology. I'm going to take one to three steps back, keeping my palms facing you and my hands below my waist where you can see both of them and tell you plainly that I'm sorry. I will watch your face to see if you accept it and then either continue on with what I was doing or focus on the middle of your chest so I can react to your movements.

Of course I also don't drink so... your less likely to see me in a bar. I don't really do crowds, but if I have to be in the throng or choose to be for whatever reason, I really try to keep a level of mind/body awareness that focuses more on placement of touches and level of intensity/impact/repetition...ect. I usually only end up in these situations for work purposes though.

I guess I'm a bit anti-social, or mabye morbidly polite. I will say I cycle for the zen and am happier 5 pitches up in a hanging bivy on the side of a mountain, or hiking glaciers in alaska, or being in my small circle of friends and family, than I am meeting new people.

Awesome.

I'd say more than "a bit". Good luck in finding your Zen and happy place. As far as dealing with "civilians", we are going to be getting more of them in greater capacity as supporting roles, so you really need to up your game in dealing with them. Basically, if your MOS does not entail carrying a weapon, that job may go to a civilian (hopefully a veteran, at the very least).The VA has a great program for our brethren who have trouble adjusting. Wish you the best in your career.

I guess we see it differently. I'll agree that excessive physical contact is not welcome in a lot of societies. However, the same Arab cultures have a lot of physical contact between men. Take a walk along Ipanema and you'll see young Brasilian men horsing around, with a lot of physical contact. Getting off a domestic flight in India involves getting dry-humped by some impatient jackass behind you.

Northern Europe is probably the place where random/casual physical contact between strangers is the least welcome and even there, it is perceived as unwelcome and not an overt act of hostility.

And that would probably escalate into a fight, b/c if someone grabs any part of my appendage in order to control my body, my jujitsu reflexes kick in and I will try to counter/trap you - in which case you will respond in kind, and before we know it, we are fighting. Which would have been the absolute opposite of my intent.

That was my point - I can understand you dont like being touched. But with all due respect, your response to incidental contact is FAR more likely to result in an innocent interaction being blown into a fight, than be a useful act of self-defense against hostility.

And I have to admit, I find that mindset a little disturbing. If you were some crazy, hopped-up meth user, it'd be one thing. But you seem like a pretty reasonable guy based on our interactions here, so I am a little surprised that you consider such a response to be appropriate.

Anyway, we'll have to disagree here - just dont punch me when I get off the bike and give you the Guadzilla Special 3 Euro Cheek Kisses, which is what I do to every roadie I encounter

No, I've just seen Top Gun like 47 bazillion times....

Eww. Nah, people from Kazakhstan! HIGH FIVE!!

But only if he is wearing his bibs with no shirt...

No way! If you encounter somebody who doesn't like to be high-fived they will grab your bib strap and snap you with it.

On a lighter note, when I did the LiveStrong Challenge in Philly this summer, there was a group of kids standing on the side of the road. They were dressed in super hero costumes like Spiderman, Batman, etc. and cheering for the riders. I rode over and gave a high five to a few as I rode past. However, I wasn't going that fast (maybe 15 mph?). They could also see me coming with my hand out, so unlike the NYC video, no one was surprised.

^ Your avatar gives me an idea for another thread: "Have you ever planked on a bike? And given a high-five at the same time? While going 50 mph?"

Much like posting in this thread, high fives only make sense when you are hammered.

Are you cereal?

Cereal. Sure, may have been popularized by misguided, but well meaning, Old Testament sabbatarians, but dang if the Buddha had only known the persistent and perpetual deliciousness that is Reese's Puffs, 'om' would have been replaced by 'nom'.

i just saw this last night for the first time on tv...thought it was cool. the car is for sure for a beetle..