OK, here is my take
Toxick said:
Sure there is.
The explanation is: She doesn't know him. Based on what she saw he's a "biker". She probably doesn't know many bikers and people fear the unknown. Especially when the media paints bikers as hostile criminals.
Ignorant? Maybe.
Not ignorant at all. Every action a human takes is not premeditated. We do things subconsciously because we are coded to "self preserve". A kid might not even touch a hot stove but only be told "HOT!
" that becomes subconsciously coded stove=dangerous/hurt/bad.
This woman did not know me. She probably didn't realize she was doing what she was doing. She got out and started in, glanced at me and it triggered the brain to make an alert; Black leather + motorcycle = dangerous. Her action was reflex and to "self preserve". Even people who hang around bikers are suspect of some of them, and the only experience many people get is when a bunch of scary looking guys on loud bikes wearing black ride by them on the road, or news paper articles about "Outlaws beating people to death" or "Hells Angels convicted of white slavery and drug distribution". The brain makes a calculated choice to "fear" because based on all it knows. Would she have locked her car if it was a Church bus? Maybe but I am betting probably not.
Toxick said:
But IMO it's even more ignorant to blithely wonder through life pretending to trust everyone (or even worse: actually trusting everyone) for the sake of political correctness.
Very true, I doubt the brains instinct to self preserve will even allow that. I am a big guy and very able to take care of myself. Knowing that and feeling very secure my heart quickens a tad in a dark parking lot when I encounter a stranger dressed "thuggish" or "disheveled".
Many people claim that "profiling" or "bigoted behavior" is conscious, I contend it is "instinctive self preservation triggers".
Toxick said:
I lock my car whenever I go in somewhere - If there happens to be bikers (or skinheads, or yakuza, any put-upon ethnic group) nearby, I don't much care if they think I'm locking it against them. I AM locking it against them - right along with everyone else. I'll be damned if I'm going to leave my stuff unguarded so that it looks like I'm a trusting, tolerant and enlightened.
Makes perfect sense. However in this case "I scared" this woman through my dress and mode of transportation. I could have a brightly colored riding suit, I chose what I have because it is protective and black is cheaper. I also chose my make of bike knowing full well that I
could be mistaken by the average person as one of the "bad guys on bikes". But I am not so it does not bother me when someone locks their doors when I park next to them, I actually think it is funny.
Toxick said:
Pete: I wouldn't take it personally. You know that if she knew you, she'd've fallen back with her legs up in the air.
I agree totally.
In summary, I know my appearance was "similar" to the way some bad bikers dress. It is not that I
wanted to look that way, it just happens that leather is the best protection and black is plentiful and cheaper. that being said I totally understand and took no offense at this chic getting spooked and locking her car.
