SV,

I read the thread at ADVrider on the rider from China. And I also have a copy of your book. It looks like the rider from China is having a great time. And I am sure he will remember the Hooter's adventure, and what lays ahead on his ride. Yep, I understand the metaphor about the finger. Main gist of my post is (1) how this 'instant familiarity to insult' can be a flash point even in the US, since not all take it lightly, and (2) that in some countries this is always unacceptable, even amongst friends. I now you know that already, but it's more for those who haven't been outside of the Anglophone world.

The ride reports over at ADVrider are indeed a great resource. The Angola thread is incredible. I would like to see similar reports posted here as well. HUBB, I opine has a more studious feel to it, which suits me better for doing ride research and topic discussion in general.

Z

This statement has me perplexed. If you don't mind me asking, what was your branch and years of service?

Salvation Army obviously, though no-one is ever rude to the Ruperts, eh? (quickly hides his past). :innocent:

Top quote Mat! Even though you own a Bullet. :)

Even after my many years in the US, I can't bring myself to do "the finger", though there's a couple of times a year, usually on I-25, when I give a good old 2-fingered salute to someone in a crap car, who pulls in front of me and thinks I can brake from 80mph to 0 in 6ft. Which obtains nothing other than a perplexed look, which is probably a good thing...

Nick.

PS and before Matt gets me back, I'll point out I own Land Rovers, and 80mph may have been exaggerating a bit. But the crap driving on I-25 is very true.

I agree with Strikingviking as the ADV community is an amazing family of very generous folks who are willing to help out in any way they can. In the case of my friend Brennan, who mods here, ADVrider's came together with parts for his bike so he could finish his South America ride after an accident in Panama.
The finger is just a joke among the initiated and at ADV rally's it is a common thing to see.
The funny part is to use the finger when there are other riders around who are clueless. :clap:

Theres a similar thing amongst the UKGSer fraternity, usage of the epithet Tosser is popular amongst site users, a friend and I were riding our GSes through Llangollen which was hosting a GSer gathering earlier this year, he was very surprised to see guys walking down the street making Tosser hand signals at him :biggrin3: (he is not a site user) it can be taken the wrong way.
Stewart