Originally Posted by
staehpj1
...
I think the spirit of these get at something really important that many of us overlook and maybe most or all of us do to some extent at times. Personally I think that our manners and conduct are a way bigger factor most of the time. I think we set ourselves apart as cyclists with our clothing (not necessarily in a bad way). If it is obviously cycling specific I think we mostly avoid the homeless label. Most of the folks I have met have figured out what I am up to and are curious enough to ask about my trip. I do think that things like removing sunglasses and making eye contact are much more important. ...
On a somewhat similar note, I have wondered about how our helmets affect how we are perceived. ....
I usually try to remember to take off sunglasses when I talk to someone, I think they are noticeably more friendly when I do that.
But I think that wearing a helmet is not an issue. That said, my helmet is only on when I am on the bike or am only off the bike a couple minutes. I might wear the helmet to go into a convenience store to buy an ice cream sandwich, but when I go to buy groceries, the helmet comes off. I have not noticed any difference in how people react to me whether the helmet is on or off. But when my helmet is on, I am more likely to catch my mirror on a door or something like that, thus I have a reason to want to take it off.
If I go into a store, my bike gloves come off before I leave the bike. They can be a bit disgusting looking if you are in a store handling things.
A month or two ago I mentioned that one local store that is in a high crime rate area does not want me to carry my handlebar bag in the store, they have a no packpack or bag policy. I was surprised how many people on this forum said they would boycott such a store. It does not bother me to follow their policy. My point is that I might be more willing to conform to social norms than others that might find such policies to be oppressive.
Back to helmets, I have gotten a few odd looks when I board an airplane with my helmet on. I do not want baggage handlers to have a chance to break it and if it does not fit in my carry on, I wear it onto a plane and put it in the overhead.
There might be a reason to keep your helmet on. In my former life I thought nothing of wearing a hard hat for 8 or 10 or more hours, and gave no thought to what I looked like when I took it off. But some women co-workers often commented on their helmet hair after a long shift. <I hope nobody takes offense at this, none was intended, just an observation.>