Nope, and that's not what my post said either.

However, I have seen your pictures, and it is considered more civil to give a thumbs-up, than give the finger So good for you.

Los feos (people with bad manners), OTOH, are usually just ignored, unless of course they get really nasty. Which I am sure you've also noticed during your residency in Mexico and travels in Latin America. Good luck on your upcoming adventure.

The middle finger salute over on advrider is just a humorous acknowledgment among the 100,000 registered users there. As you've seen in my photos, we don't offer that gesture to those outside of that community and even amongst ourselves abbreviate what has become a private joke--FYYFF. Many even have a decal with that designation on our bikes as a signal for others who understand the meaning.

Please don't take this as any kind of insult to anyone as you will have to look hard to find a more generous and kind hearted group of riders. Two years ago, Pete from Berkeley and I pitched the crew at advrider to donate sufficient funds to sponsor riders from developing countries for an all-expenses-paid moto-journey to North America.

The first rider was Chanderjeet from India and last year's was Shustrik from Vladivostok. Shustrik has been assisting so many international riders passing through Siberia for so many years, he has become a legend in hospitality. We wanted to repay that so we invited him over. In his case, Chanderjeet's, and this year's Lu Fei from China, it was easy to raise funds. Each year, within two weeks of announcements, over five thousand dollars in tens, twenties and a few hundreds poured into fill the coffers.

The way I see it, anyone who rides a bike is cool with me and that is basically the view over there. In spite of the garbage section of JoMomma, their crowning jewel on advrider is their Ride Reports threads which scores hundreds of thousands of hits. My thread is now at 2.2 million and many others are catching up. I'm trying to help Grant out over here now on his recently opened section for Ride Reports which should attract readers and posters.

__________________
EARTH RIDE!
Understanding the world through adventure travel.
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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