"Poser" venting

[Bowie-]

Originally Posted by squidchief

[FONT=Calibri]Doesn't sound to me like Officer Friendly made a big deal about it. He had the stones to actually go up to the guy and have his say. He came here afterwards to vent a bit... then admitted he had already gotten over it and "could laugh about it". It's nice to see so many sanctimonious folks around here. I see many that grumble and talk here, but how many would actually go up to someone and say something?

Interesting point in that it strikes me very differently. I would certainly say something, but in the opposite direction. If someone got in my face while I was doing charity work, surrounded by kids, I'd quietly ask him to step around the building so I could "discuss" it further. It would look to me (and possibly did to that fellow) that someone was being a inappropriate. After all, how does he know this person's reasons? To some, it may take "stones", to others it's seen as a b***h move. Like when someone confronted me for parking in a handicap spot, before seeing my handicapped wife get out of the car. When you're helping someone and someone confronts you, the confronter looks bad. Let me be clear that I'm not trying to insult or make a statement about anyone here at all. I'm just speaking about perspectives. I honestly think it's interesting, the different opinions on the subject. This thread seems to be making a lot of people squirm, but I appreciate the variety of perspectives.

[kokopellioh]

Originally Posted by Gruntfish

Would you hang out with your helmet on in your car?

Depends on who is driving ...

[kolohe]

I like what Rebecca Davis said about poseurs - "While the light burning within may have been divine, the outer case of the lamp was assuredly cheap enough. Whitman was, from first to last, a boorish, awkward poseur"

[Shadowhoss]

This reminds me of the old joke: "how many Vietnam vets does it take to change a light bulb?" " I don't know....how many?" " you don't know because you weren't there, were you...were you!?"

OF - I'm glad you had the stones to say something and it showed your class that you did this on the down-low without making a scene.

I wish more people would stop being "passive" in this country.

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by Gruntfish

Would you hang out with your helmet on in your car? ...

What's wrong with that?

[MikeB]

This reminds me of the old joke: "how many Vietnam vets does it take to change a light bulb?"

That's not a joke -- it's a trick question. There are no Vietnam vets around to change the bulb because they are all standing in line at the VA trying to get disability benefits. Pisses me off because I'm so far back in the queue. 15 months and counting.

[David Edwards]

Your wife is a wise woman!!! LOL

[1rusty1]

[QUOTE=Bowie-;1435118]Interesting point in that it strikes me very differently. I would certainly say something, but in the opposite direction. If someone got in my face while I was doing charity work, surrounded by kids, I'd quietly ask him to step around the building so I could "discuss" it further. It would look to me (and possibly did to that fellow) that someone was being a inappropriate. After all, how does he know this person's reasons? To some, it may take "stones", to others it's seen as a b***h move. Like when someone confronted me for parking in a handicap spot, before seeing my handicapped wife get out of the car. When you're helping someone and someone confronts you, the confronter looks bad. Let me be clear that I'm not trying to insult or make a statement about anyone here at all. I'm just speaking about perspectives. I honestly think it's interesting, the different opinions on the subject. This thread seems to be making a lot of people squirm, but I appreciate the variety of perspectives.[/QUOTE


Good post.
I will say that how OF and the person he was put off by was between he and the individual but when you post, you’re bound to get differing thoughts.

You make my point in the “walk a mile in another’s shoes”. I recall a situation when I was younger and playing basketball (believe it or not, players are just as passionate about the “rules” in ball as bikers are about patches and brand). A big point was made about uniforms being similar so one team had to go skins. One kid refused on that team and was jumped on from everyone about it. Turns out he had quite a scar from a burn and surgery and wasn’t comfortable running like that. Being on the other team, I pulled him aside and said, don’t ever feel like you owe anyone an explanation. He was there and had a right to run no matter what everyone else felt.

There is simply not enough time to judge another man’s character the few feet it takes to walk from his car to a group of bikes. Seek first to understand before being understood.

[Hondaguy]

The OP seemed to be "concerned" because the other "biker looking" guy did not "pay his dues" to participate in a charity event and may have received some undeserved ego boosting having his picture taken by the kids who apparently wanted it and did not care whether he rode or drove.

Anyone can have their picture taken publicly anywhere at any time. People find old cars and have their pictures taken next to them all the time at car shows who don't own one.

People have their pictures taken with Elvis impersonators at various causes, . Even the really bad ones. Maybe some of the really good ones who spend $2000 on their costumes resent the guy who bought his off the Halloween rack at Walmart because he wanted to be a part of something that means something to him personally and just maybe that guy gave more to the cause. That is the way I see this "issue". Purely Ego and judgmental. "I am a real biker you are not" so you don't belong here. Shameful at a charity event EVERYONE belongs there.

IF people had to pay dues in order to give something to a charity I would say those dues should be paid to in their entirety even the in personal discomfort whether that be the weather or another who doesn't play by the unspoken rules,

That said I won't go on Toy Rides or any group rides for that matter, when the root need can be met otherwise, In this case it can. I instead pick up a few of those Salvation Army tree tags and purchase the toys and clothing requested on them. I do not ride in the cold to do that. I simply take the truck to the Mall grab a few and run to Walmart or Target, then return with them. A little more effort, expense and time may be required. Do the kids care or even know or care who gave them the gifts? No and No. It's not important.

The guy gave of his time. He did not have to. Nor did he have to suffer discomfort to prove he cared more than those who did. This is not about the rider. There were plenty of bikes for the kids. There should have been twice as many pirate dressing non riders for their benefit as well.

[harpomatic]

Hondaguy, total words of wisdom, i think you expressed it best about what's bothersome about this whole thing.
But, also let's extend our friendly & forgiving embrace to officerfriendly - as Squidchief noted, it takes guts to speak your mind, especially knowing that we, as humans, are bound to be wrong at times... I hope OF can handle the heat, and know that we are roasting his a$$ out of love for mankind, which includes him, too. What a record setting post - indeed, thank you for that, OfficerFriendly!