I had a large helping of humble pie this weekend. At least it was topped with ice cream :)

Let me 'splain

This story starts back in May where I found myself on the first leg of my vacation trip to the Grand Canyon. Most of you will recall my mention of a female rider on a Harley in Tennessee. Her plates said something like "MOMS." I noted that, when she waved me by, I perceived that as an attitude against riding with a metric bike.

A couple of months pass...

Some here know already that I've been talking to (and seeking a relationship with) a newfound friend who rides a Harley. In learning about her, I've found that she's quite shy and always a little nervous about her safety. That shyness/nervousness led me to think that perhaps that lady riding her Fat Boy in May was not displaying an attitude when she waved for me to ride past her. Perhaps there was just a simple concern for her safety while riding by herself.

Then it hit me.

That rider was HER!!

She turned out to be a very sweet and courteous person - far from having that perceived HD ego. My face was red and I had a large bite of a size 11 1/2 Magnum Storm boot. She was so kind, in fact, that she did not hold that comment against me (I had shared my ride report with her). She understood the point of view that I had and realized that her signal could have been misunderstood.

Well, first I apologized to her for the comment in my ride report. Next, I made it a point to write this post to share my story. The next time I jump to the conclusion that a HD owner is displaying an ego, I will remind myself of this story and try to assume the best in that person; not the worst.

Awesome story, Jaremy! I really enjoyed it. "Things are not always what they seem" is a lesson everyone should learn. All too often people have preconceived notions to which they stubbornly cling and tend to think that their interpretation is always the right one. Some of us are more stubborn than others in clinging to the belief that the way we mean things when we say or do them is the way that those same things are perceived by others. Sometimes interpretation can be completely converse to what was actually conveyed. Funny old world, isn't it? :)

Of course another maxim that can be applied to that story is, "It's a small world after all." huh? That's just really neat. Thanks for sharing.


Talie

In the end it all worked out and everyone learned something.

Good story Jaremy. I try to wave at everyone, but in crowded areas of the highway it gets hard. Or I will be zoned on the road and at the last minute see someone wave and than you see me throwing my hand up to try to wave real quick. All in all it is usually about 80% of the riders that I have come across wave. Have fun on the road and I will wave at ya' on the way to KY. Woo Hoo!