Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Stupid/Funny/Ignorant things your co-workers say:

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Stupid/Funny/Ignorant things your co-workers say:

Old 08-24-14, 06:28 AM
  #1  
steve-in-kville 
Warehouse Monkey
Thread Starter
 
steve-in-kville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 2 Posts
Stupid/Funny/Ignorant things your co-workers say:

I've been commuting for 5 years now, taking a few weeks off in February. Not to boast, but there were conditions I really shouldn't have ridden in but did anyway (we are a car-light family).

Anyways, some of the stupid, funny and/or ignorant things my co-workers have asked or said:

"They want rain later today. You're gonna get wet!!"

Yes I will. I was born wet.



"How much did you spend on your bike? $600??? Seriously??!!"

And how much do you have in your golf clubs?


Post 'em up.
__________________
'10 Specialized Hardrock
steve-in-kville is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 06:45 AM
  #2  
mikeybikes
Senior Member
 
mikeybikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edgewater, CO
Posts: 3,214

Bikes: Tons

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My coworkers don't generally say ignorant things, mostly because many of them ride their bike too
mikeybikes is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 07:07 AM
  #3  
Papa Tom
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,440
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 863 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 136 Posts
"Did you get a DWI, or is your car in the shop?" (I don't drink and I live 3 miles from work.)
Papa Tom is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:04 AM
  #4  
Motolegs
Senior Member
 
Motolegs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Southern Colorado
Posts: 493

Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
"Hey (insert first name here) Armstrong!" Dumb.
Motolegs is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:05 AM
  #5  
cyccommute 
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,092 Times in 2,325 Posts
"So...are you still riding to work?"
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:15 AM
  #6  
TransitBiker
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
I have no co-workers, but the comments from folks who don't get or understand transportation cycling have had some really... interesting... things to say over the years.

I definitely welcome those comments vs the stuff drivers pull when around me.

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 08:31 AM
  #7  
scroca
commuter and barbarian
 
scroca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
One guy I worked with years ago who would always ask, "Did you ride your bike to work today?".

I would always answer, "I ride my bike to work every day.".

The next day or two he would ask again.
scroca is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:04 AM
  #8  
bmthom.gis
Senior Member
 
bmthom.gis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,980

Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Nothing ignorant. More amazement when a few find each way is (a mere) 11 miles and that I am not afraid of cars. I guess that may seem like a lot to people who don't ride a bike. But we have a few who like to ride to work. Actually more people are amazed I use the shower at work, probably unaware that I have cleaned it thoroughly.
bmthom.gis is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:11 AM
  #9  
MauiWowwee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Maui, HI>Denver, CO>Seattle, WA
Posts: 66

Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Giant Defy 1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll run into a this one guy in the locker room. I'm getting out of my cycling shoes "did you ride today!". I tell him that I like to casually wear my cycling shoes.
MauiWowwee is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:38 AM
  #10  
mustridebikes
Senior Member
 
mustridebikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 83

Bikes: Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I work at a substance abuse rehab center, and patients often ask me strange things as I wheel my bike out of the office at the end of the day. My favorite happened a while back as I was walking the bike down the sidewalk to the exit road, a male patient asked "hey, do you work here? why do you get a bike?" and my reply was to hop on the bike and say "I'm escaping, don't tell anyone!" as I rode off... The look on his face the next morning when I showed up to work was priceless. He honestly thought I was a patient fleeing by bicycle and was so confused about why I rode back in the next morning
mustridebikes is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:58 AM
  #11  
wphamilton
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
The silliest comment I get consistently is about what I eat, because "you'll just burn it off on the bike ride".

Annoying: did you check the weather forecast?

Kind of rude: do you own a car?

Perplexing: you are so dedicated (or inspirational, etc), or you have a death-wish

Most common: how far is your commute?
wphamilton is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:02 AM
  #12  
TrekCommuter
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 179

Bikes: 2011 Trek 7.2 FX & 2015 Bianchi Volpe

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
They always say I am going to get wet on the ride home due to the forecast. I always reply with the fact that it is better to get wet on the ride home than on the ride to work. Or that I don't care
TrekCommuter is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:11 AM
  #13  
Furcifer
Senior Member
 
Furcifer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Amarillo, TX
Posts: 51
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
"Hey, you know I live near you, I could give you a ride..." -I own two cars.

"Is that a new bike?" -I use one main commuter thats always evolving, and I ride a two others for fun on occasion.

"Youre going to ride home? Its too hot, youre crazy."

"Oh my god thats heavy!" -When lifting my commuter, fully loaded down with food, water, clothes, tools, and parts.

"Why are you late all the time?"
Furcifer is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:50 AM
  #14  
I-Like-To-Bike
Been Around Awhile
 
I-Like-To-Bike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,951

Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,517 Times in 1,031 Posts
Originally Posted by TransitBiker
I have no co-workers, but the comments from folks who don't get or understand transportation cycling have had some really... interesting... things to say over the years.

I definitely welcome those comments vs the stuff drivers pull when around me.

- Andy
You have a positive attitude towards the people who speak to you on your cycling activities and IMO it is far more admirable than those who prefer to disparage their coworkers and others with smug or insulting responses for not appreciating cycling or that bicyclist for coming to work on a bike.
I-Like-To-Bike is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 12:15 PM
  #15  
ItsJustMe
Señior Member
 
ItsJustMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Motolegs
"Hey (insert first name here) Armstrong!" Dumb.
I had someone say that I should join bicycle races "because I ride so much." I told him he should race cars because he drives so much.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
ItsJustMe is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 12:36 PM
  #16  
wphamilton
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Is that the guy? Has to be the strangest comment. I heard this in the parking garage at my bike, from a group walking the other way. I looked up and saw one turning her body back the way they were walking, and I was the only guy in the area so I'm pretty sure I was the guy ... I assumed it meant the guy who always biked ... but disconcerting to speculate that I'm "that guy" in some other context ...
wphamilton is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 12:40 PM
  #17  
TransitBiker
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
You have a positive attitude towards the people who speak to you on your cycling activities and IMO it is far more admirable than those who prefer to disparage their coworkers and others with smug or insulting responses for not appreciating cycling or that bicyclist for coming to work on a bike.
I was raised to be kind, and as i've grown older, i've found this is the best way to live. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 01:21 PM
  #18  
Bandera
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
"The senior executives of this company are all working for our mutual benefit rather than their own narcissistic greed fueled goals."
Bandera is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 04:05 PM
  #19  
bluegoatwoods
Senior Member
 
bluegoatwoods's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 686
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I guess it's been a while since anyone has said anything really stupid to me. Some still ask how I manage in the rain. When I tell them that rain is usually kind of pleasant, they look as though they don't believe me.

When I tell them that I can't let the mere possibility of rain stop me --because that would stop me way too often-- they get a look on their face that I have a hard time deciphering. I think they've mostly stopped paying attention by that time.

And sometimes they'll ask me if I'm not freezing cold out there. (Winter, of course) When I tell them that I'm more than warm enough, because I burn plenty of calories, they look as though they can believe it. But they still look as though they can't believe that it's anything but pure misery. As illogical as that is.

They mostly simply refuse to believe that life is better on a bicycle.
bluegoatwoods is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 09:03 PM
  #20  
CrankyOne
Senior Member
 
CrankyOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,403
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Liked 48 Times in 35 Posts
I work in a cafe every morning (as in my favorite table with a really great cappuccino). I'll occasionally get comments from people that they think it's very cool I ride a retro/vintage bicycle. They mean it as a very sincere compliment. I then get to explain that it's actually quite modern, efficient, and comfortable. And a Dutch city bike.
CrankyOne is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 09:25 PM
  #21  
gregf83 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times in 177 Posts
Originally Posted by Bandera
"The senior executives of this company are all working for our mutual benefit rather than their own narcissistic greed fueled goals."
Isn't everybody?
gregf83 is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:00 PM
  #22  
MikeRides
Senior Member
 
MikeRides's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Kentucky
Posts: 1,276

Bikes: Trek 1.1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
At my previous place of employment, the only stupid question I can remember is "Did you really ride up that steep hill today?" (*silence* Well, I didn't walk it...)

Today I run my own business. My business partner, morning delivery guy, and all my regulars know I commute by bike and yet they have never asked or said anything regarding it. However, I make deposits every other day at the local bank, and the bank teller (woman in her 60s) always asks if I rode my bike that day. My same response is: "Yup!" The crazy part is she'll even ask "Did you ride your bicycle today?" even if I'm standing there with my 9yo wearing her helmet. (Though I suppose she could have rode her bike while I walked, its unlikely)
MikeRides is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:29 PM
  #23  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Originally Posted by MauiWowwee
I'll run into a this one guy in the locker room. I'm getting out of my cycling shoes "did you ride today!". I tell him that I like to casually wear my cycling shoes.
I get this one as I'm taking my helmet off at the front door.

Related: once, at a grocery store, a little girl pointed at my motorcycle helmet and asked if I rode a motorcycle. I told her no, I'm just clumsy.
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 12:10 AM
  #24  
J.C. Koto
apocryphal sobriquet
 
J.C. Koto's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Star City, NE
Posts: 1,083

Bikes: 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker "The Truckerino"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by wphamilton
Is that the guy? Has to be the strangest comment. I heard this in the parking garage at my bike, from a group walking the other way. I looked up and saw one turning her body back the way they were walking, and I was the only guy in the area so I'm pretty sure I was the guy ... I assumed it meant the guy who always biked ... but disconcerting to speculate that I'm "that guy" in some other context ...
You're famous!
J.C. Koto is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 12:23 AM
  #25  
Shahmatt
Senior Member
 
Shahmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 473

Bikes: Cruzbike Flamingo folding conversion, Oyama East Village

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
This one maybe familiar to bald tyre users like the Schwalbe Kojak.

"Your tyre tread is all worn out. You need new tyres!"

My response "Those tyres are brand new"
Shahmatt is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.