Stupid questions people ask you when stopped

[eepeqez]

Originally Posted by revrandy

So I stop for gas this week at a station in Western New York. After I pay a guy comes up to me and comments on the bike. He said he liked the look of it and then asked me where I was going. So I tell him my goal is to make West Virginia. With a quizzical look on his face, he asks me if that is a different state than Virginia. I responded in the affirmative. He just says oh, okay and walks away.

If you'd said "West Ohio" or "East Kentucky", would he have asked a similar question? I guess at least he had an inkling it was a different state...

Originally Posted by revrandy

Isn't that basic civics? Something taught in 3rd grade?

More to the point, Buffalo is significantly closer to Wheeling than it is to NYC; only an afternoons riding or driving; it's near enough local.

Now my turn for a confession; I think I was into my 30s by the time I worked out why every time I thought I understood which side of the US Washington was on, it moved.

But then, how many Americans know where to find Perth or Victoria on a map of Australia?

[lethe]

Originally Posted by eepeqez

If you'd said "West Ohio" or "East Kentucky", would he have asked a similar question? I guess at least he had an inkling it was a different state...



More to the point, Buffalo is significantly closer to Wheeling than it is to NYC; only an afternoons riding or driving; it's near enough local.

Now my turn for a confession; I think I was into my 30s by the time I worked out why every time I thought I understood which side of the US Washington was on, it moved.

But then, how many Americans know where to find Perth or Victoria on a map of Australia?

I'd just assume the places labeled Perth and Victoria on the map would be the places in question.
Unless they were written in Austrailese and not English. Then it might screw me up.

[eepeqez]

Originally Posted by halasz

Well, to save me the time, is it the same state or not?

It's a bit like the difference between Marseilles and Algiers; in 1950 they were part of the same country. Similarly, in 1850 Virginia was all one state; West Virginia parted ways with Virginia during the civil war.

[rgiroux]

Originally Posted by eepeqez

It's a bit like the difference between Marseilles and Algiers; in 1950 they were part of the same country. Similarly, in 1850 Virginia was all one state; West Virginia parted ways with Virginia during the civil war.

There was a war?

[eepeqez]

Originally Posted by rgiroux

There was a war?

Yeah, the Algerians kicked the French out...

Mind you, they took 8 years to do it, and it got VERY nasty; any time you're tempted to discount the French military, have a read about Algeria.

[pretbek]

This morning I was getting gas on my Versys at a small gas station in Podunk, PA. On the other side of the pump is a guy in a beat up pickup.
He asks "do you know Matt Chalmers" for a second time, after I take my helmet off, an earplug out and apologize for not hearing him the first time.
I tell him no, then he says "well, he has the same kind of bike you got".

:) oh OK, in that case I guess I should have known him.

[woodnbow]

Originally Posted by pretbek

This morning I was getting gas on my Versys at a small gas station in Podunk, PA. On the other side of the pump is a guy in a beat up pickup.
He asks "do you know Matt Chalmers" for a second time, after I take my helmet off, an earplug out and apologize for not hearing him the first time.
I tell him no, then he says "well, he has the same kind of bike you got".

:) oh OK, in that case I guess I should have known him.

You need to start going to the meetings. Matt usually sits right up front...

[BK.RD.RNR]

Originally Posted by woodnbow

You need to start going to the meetings. Matt usually sits right up front...

[Phlemdog]

That phenomenon is not exclusive to bikes. I had a lady ask me once if I knew "George", because he was in the Air Force.

She didn't know his last name, what he worked as, what squadron he was in, or if he was even at my base anymore. She just thought that I would know.

[singletrackrider]

Originally Posted by Phlemdog

That phenomenon is not exclusive to bikes. I had a lady ask me once if I knew "George", because he was in the Air Force.

She didn't know his last name, what he worked as, what squadron he was in, or if he was even at my base anymore. She just thought that I would know.

You should have said yeah i know him hes a good friend of mine.

[pretbek]

Heh, it's my day today.
I just walked into the McD in full hi-viz highlighter mimicry with my helmet under my arm.
Me: "One ice cream cone please"
Her: "For here or to go"

It wasn't so much a stupid question as it was a remark-on-autopilot.
Since her brain wasn't engaged I didn't put my smart-Alec sarcasm in gear. That usually gives undesirable results.

[KeithinSC]

Originally Posted by pretbek

Heh, it's my day today.
I just walked into the McD in full hi-viz highlighter mimicry with my helmet under my arm.
Me: "One ice cream cone please"
Her: "For here or to go"

It wasn't so much a stupid question as it was a remark-on-autopilot.
Since her brain wasn't engaged I didn't put my smart-Alec sarcasm in gear. That usually gives undesirable results.

Had the EXACT same thing at lunch today (Zaxby's Chicken), hi viz and everything!

[scottrnelson]

Originally Posted by pretbek

Heh, it's my day today.
I just walked into the McD in full hi-viz highlighter mimicry with my helmet under my arm.
Me: "One ice cream cone please"
Her: "For here or to go"

It wasn't so much a stupid question as it was a remark-on-autopilot.
Since her brain wasn't engaged I didn't put my smart-Alec sarcasm in gear. That usually gives undesirable results.

Sometimes I like to ask, for something like an ice cream cone, what they would do different to go versus "for here". Half the time they don't listen to my answer anyway and make the order to go even when I explicitly state "for here". I don't have high expectations for people with fast food jobs, and I'm not disappointed with most of their actions.

[Tinks]

Originally Posted by singletrackrider

You should have said yeah i know him hes a good friend of mine.

Yes, but then it should be followed up by some comment about the gay porn he was making and how that boyfrien of his is all Drama, Drama, Drama!

[bigphish]

Stopped at rest area last summer when this scraggly looking truck driver approaches and says with a smile, "A Honda huh?" To which I say " yep. " He then turns to my girlfriend whom is wearing a jacket with a Harley Davidson logo, gives her a good long look and say's back to me, "maybe she's trying to tell you something"