Which is More Offensive?
Skateboards, or recumbent bicycles?
Taxonomy and social irritation are my home territory, so when Carbolic posed that question to me last September I went to work immediately. I still don't have a confident answer, however. Here is the issue: A brush with a skateboarder involves loud, rackety invasion of personal space. It's offensive, hands down. Recumbent cyclists tend to maintain a polite berth, but the recumbent riding position requires a total degradation of self-dignity that is offensive in its own way.
Frankly, I'm stuck. Which is it?
posted by Patrick Bageant at 12:04 PM
9 Comments:
As a skateboarder of several years, I can add that all the skaters I've known over the years can be classified as extremely bright or quite dull (I make no claim as to which category I fall into). I think the dull members of the group don't realize they are being obnoxious, whereas the smart ones are intentionally irritating.
Recumbent cyclists seem like they are just trying to make some sort of horizontal statement.
So if there's any sort of requisite culpability requirement in there, skateboarders take the cake.
Now, worse than both are motorcyclists. Those guys are jerks!
Now, worse than both are motorcyclists. Those guys are jerks!
Awww, crap.
I have found horizontal cyclists all too willing to provide unsolicited information about the virtues of their "sport." Not to be a fitness snob, but I haven't seen too many of them that I would classify as in shape. I vote for the riders of the rbs.
Two different animals - they're both offensive in their own ways.
recumbent bikers are harmless people who consider themselves daring non-conformists, like people who wear bowties.
I agree with Anon directly above. Skateboarders can be quite rude sometimes. I've had them "hitch" rides on the back of my truck, not get out of the road as I'm trying to drive down it and cat call.
I don't think I've ever had a recumbent cyclist do anything odd or irritating...yet...
I don't think I've ever had a recumbent cyclist do anything odd . . .
What about riding a recumbent bicycle? :)
Nonsense - the recumbent cyclists are clearly the most offensive. Skateboarding is offensive for several obvious reasons. (See above) However, the "cheaters", as us "real" cyclists call them, create hatred beyond all rational explanation. (Indeed, it is unanimous that recumbent cyclists are offensive, and equally unanimous that there are no adequate reasons for this.) This transcendent power is clearly above any earthly inconvenience that skateboarders produce.
Skateboarding is not a crime.
The only truly offensive thing is rollerblading.
Post a Comment
<< Home