Negative reaction from unicycling to work

Sgaterboy said:

Is it really disrespectful to choose a single wheel as your mode of
transportation to work?

No, and shame on anyone who implies that it is. I think they were more
concerned about the uniform, and the association of that uniform with
non-company activities. When wearing a company uniform, people tend to
assume you're at work, doing company business. Regardless of that,
you're representing your company in everything you do wile that uniform
is on. It's their uniform, and it's really up to them to set policies
of what they want people doing like wearing it. If you were a runner,
they might not even approve of that in the uniform (it would help to
know what kind of company it is, though it doesn't matter in terms of
this).

So just don't wear the uniform. I always wore bike shorts when I rode
to work, and a shirt that would be all sweaty by the time I got there.
Changing was a necessity anyway. I'd bring in a week's worth of clothes
on a driving day, or in a backpack. And deodorant.

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

"pretty much every trail that we've done on the California or Moab Muni
weekends is an XC trail." -- Kris Holm, on XC from a North Shore point
of view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

johnfoss said:

So just don't wear the uniform. I always wore bike shorts when I rode
to work, and a shirt that would be all sweaty by the time I got there.
Changing was a necessity anyway. I'd bring in a week's worth of clothes
on a driving day, or in a backpack. And deodorant.

And if that doesn't work out...

Consider whether it's better to keep the job (and have money to spend
on unicycling kit) or move on somewhere else. My reaction would
probably be to unicycle at other times instead of riding to work, at
least until I moved on job-wise.

--
mark williamson

Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no
pedals!
Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard?
Dave: Skateboards have wheels.
Mark: My wheel has a wheel!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mark williamson's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11301
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

our ops manual says:

"crewmwmbers are to be in complete uniform while in the
airport/terminal, on company property, or in transit between Hotel and
airport associated with scheduled operational duty. complete uniform
includes tie, hat, belt, wings, ID, and epaulets.

A crewmwmber may not wear their uniform while off-duty EXCEPT while
traveling to and from work"

. . . so the operations manual specifically allows it!

--
Sgaterboy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgaterboy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12724
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

IMO should not be an issue. But before I got into unicycling I may have
agreed w/ your employers. Then I thought only circus performers and
crazy daredevils did unicycling and never considered it to be used for
transportation.

johnfoss said:

I always wore bike shorts when I rode to work, and a shirt that would be
all sweaty by the time I got there. Changing was a necessity anyway.
I'd bring in a week's worth of clothes on a driving day, or in a
backpack. And deodorant.

I have the same problem and use the same solution. A performance T
(instead of an extra) + more deoderant work if I don't have to start
work for 30 min or so. We can wear pretty much anything we want.

--
skilewis74

Ride everywhere and never just ride anywhere. If you can ride where you
are going within a hour, do it, and if you can do a trick 50-75% of the
time do it along the way.
Parafrasing a pro skater when asked for advise to kids who wanted to
get much better and maybee turn pro one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
skilewis74's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12404
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Sgaterboy said:

. . . so the operations manual specifically allows it!

Are you a flight attendant?

Yes, you appear to be covered by company policy in your uniform usage.
However it didn't mention unicycles, and it doesn't seem to imply that
you have to wear the uniform on your way to work.

Quoted message said:

There are apparently people there who think that I should act
"professional" or something

And you're not one of them?

For whatever reason, you haven't mentioned what the job is. Sounds like
you not only work at airports, but you also travel in your job, so I'm
guessing flight attendant. But I assume this is mostly about your
travel between home and work. As a commuter, a bigger wheel will make
you look more "professional" while riding. By contrast, a 20" is so
marginally efficient that it hardly makes sense to use one over
walking. Is this what they mean by professional? Probably not.

Talk to your superiors. Find out what the problem is, if any, or is it
just a general disapproval of someone riding around on a unicycle in
company uniform. I also find that a helmet and a mirror on my glasses
makes me look a lot more like a cyclist and less like a kook. But that
might put you out of dress code, as I see it mentions a hat.

--
johnfoss

John Foss
Email: "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------

"pretty much every trail that we've done on the California or Moab Muni
weekends is an XC trail." -- Kris Holm, on XC from a North Shore point
of view
------------------------------------------------------------------------
johnfoss's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/832
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Howdy.

This is a [censored] situation.

I get nasty stares and the occasional shouting when I go through red
lights and the green man on my bike while in work clothes, on way to
and from work.

When I do it 'in civvies' nobody bats an eye lid.

If I unicycle to work in uniform, it's a total mixed bag. I'm a
primary school janitor so some folk think it's cool for the kids and
that, but a lot more think I'm a total daftie for doing it. And tell
me so.

It's [censored], but just wear different clothes on the journey to work. I
am so very nearly close to doing this myself.

Or I could just (bi)cycle more responsibly, but where's the fun in
that.

Hope you get it sorted some how.

T.

--
DarkTom

*"DarkTom of Glasgow, one of the few uni riders here that you really
musn't mess with" - GkMac
"mondeos can fly" - Pebbles*

'I'm flogging off some old tat'
(http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/?g2_itemId=283272)
'My Gallery'
(http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/?g2_itemId=155049)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DarkTom's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6515
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Sorry to hear about the negative reaction. Have you tried talking to
your boss about why you ride a unicycle? And they don’t want to hear
that you are an eccentric person looking to stand out. Do you have
mainstream reasons for riding? The price of gas is high, not driving
your car is good for the environment, riding helps keep you in shape,
with fewer parts the maintenance is cheaper/easier than a b*ke, the
size means storage is easier than a b*ke… It may help if you talk to
your boss with real mainstream reasons they can relate to.

--
lauraz
------------------------------------------------------------------------
lauraz's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15410
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Whilst personally I would not see it as disrespectful, at any point you
are wearing their uniform, you are representing the company. I'd say
it's well within their rights to ask you not to represent them in a way
they don't like.

Joe

--
joemarshall

my pics http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albuq44
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joemarshall's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1545
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I believe that they can legitimately be concerned it if you are wearing
a work uniform while riding. Like they wouldn't want to see you in
uniform at a protest.

Just wear riding clothes to work and change when you get there. This is
what I do. More comfortable anyway.

I keep clothes at work so I don't have to carry them back and forth.

--tom

--
tomkarches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tomkarches's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12418
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Even if the boss isn't prejudiced against unicycles, she is probably
aware that many of the customers will be.

The employer has a legitimate interest in anything you do which might
affect the company's image adversely.

I was once given a severe b*ll*cking for busking in the subway outside
my office during my lunch hour.😎 :o

Of course, if you were to do a sponsored ride for a charity that the
company supports, and get your picture in the local paper and the
company magazine...

--
Mikefule

I once had a bad experience with a bigot. Now I hate them all - even
the ones I haven't met.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I'm actually a pilot. I fly for the Continental connection based out of
Key West.

I never see my boss. the problem is with one or two other pilots I get
paired up to fly with.

they never saw the unicycle before telling me they didnt like the idea,
so I dont know if the size would make a difference.

right now its a 24 inch torker (all I've ever had)

so the problem isnt with the company having a problem, its with my
coworkers having a problem with it. The company so far hasnt gotten
involved (the only people who are in charge of me are in a totally
different city and I almost never see them or talk with them)

--
Sgaterboy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgaterboy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12724
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Sgaterboy said:

I'm actually a pilot. I fly for the Continental connection based out of
Key West.

Seriously? Well as a potential customer, I would view pilots riding
unicycles as highly awesome, but other unicyclists is not exactly your
key demographic! I think most people would want their pilot to appear
as a non-eccentric, serious chap, and the common view of unicycling
doesn't really present this.

Why not ask your boss if you can just ride to work in civvies, then
change at the airport. It's slightly annoying to you, but your
customers then won't know any different and your boss won't have to
worry. Whatsmore, it'll demonstrate to them that you take their
business concerns seriously.

--
mark williamson

Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no
pedals!
Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard?
Dave: Skateboards have wheels.
Mark: My wheel has a wheel!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mark williamson's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11301
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

mark williamson said:

Seriously? Well as a potential customer, I would view pilots riding
unicycles as highly awesome, but other unicyclists is not exactly your
key demographic! I think most people would want their pilot to appear
as a non-eccentric, serious chap, and the common view of unicycling
doesn't really present this.

Why not ask your boss if you can just ride to work in civvies, then
change at the airport. It's slightly annoying to you, but your
customers then won't know any different and your boss won't have to
worry. Whatsmore, it'll demonstrate to them that you take their
business concerns seriously.

ya... I edited my post in the meantime! sorry about that.

we live on an island so small that the people actually see me coming to
work. If the see this kid on a unicycle, they'll pay enough attention
that they'll recognise me later when I'm standing at the bottom of the
stairs, whether I have changed clothers or not.

--
Sgaterboy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgaterboy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12724
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Sgaterboy said:

ya... I edited my post in the meantime! sorry about that.

we live on an island so small that the people actually see me coming to
work. If the see this kid on a unicycle, they'll pay enough attention
that they'll recognise me later when I'm standing at the bottom of the
stairs, whether I have changed clothers or not.

I really don't think there's a legitimate complaint against you here;
what you do on your own time in your own clothing is your own business.

But perhaps the best response would be "wanna try it?" They're just
jealous.

--
tholub
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tholub's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/804
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

tholub said:

But perhaps the best response would be "wanna try it?" They're just
jealous.

I have an open invitation policy regarding the unicycle. Thats the
primary reason I'm not planning on upgrading past a stock Torker lx.
If someone falls off/scratches it/bends it/lands on the tire, I'm only
out like a hundred bucks. If I spend lots of money on it then I'd be
hesitant to allow others to try.

Anyone who wants at any time can try out my unicycle.

--
Sgaterboy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgaterboy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12724
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Tell them to give you a raise so you can afford a better mode of
transport 😉

--
evil-nick

Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total
obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and
through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see
its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will
remain.

* Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear.

I'm late for checkers with the Dalai Lama!

My gallery:
http://evil.linuxfreak.ca/uni.html
Our Club:
http://cs.ubishops.ca/~buuc/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
evil-nick's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6692
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

evil-nick said:

Tell them to give you a raise so you can afford a better mode of
transport 😉

poor starving pilots can only afford one wheel :'(

--
Sgaterboy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgaterboy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12724
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Actually, I almost said that people would like their pilots to appear to
be "well balanced individuals" and then changed my choice of words for
obvious reasons 😉

--
mark williamson

Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no
pedals!
Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard?
Dave: Skateboards have wheels.
Mark: My wheel has a wheel!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mark williamson's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11301
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Sgaterboy said:

I'm actually a pilot. I fly for the Continental connection based out of
Key West.

I never see my boss. the problem is with one or two other pilots I get
paired up to fly with.

they never saw the unicycle before telling me they didnt like the idea,
so I dont know if the size would make a difference.

right now its a 24 inch torker (all I've ever had)

so the problem isnt with the company having a problem, its with my
coworkers having a problem with it. The company so far hasnt gotten
involved (the only people who are in charge of me are in a totally
different city and I almost never see them or talk with them)

till your boss, or whatever tells you that you cant ride it to work,
then keep riding. just ignore your coworkers because they dont have
any effect on your paay or whatever. dont be a jerk to them, but tell
them it is no way affects them so leave you alone. or taking the
simple response and tell them to leave you the F alone.

--
torkerdx

gordito8me said:

it's like running across the highway at rush hour. Dangerous, stupid,
but not really that fun.

Unicaw89 said:

Koxx rapes Torker hard!

skianduniaddict said:

never give 4 teenagers a camera... they go crazy

johnfoss said:

Yes, being old makes you stupid.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
torkerdx's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12543
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/63511

Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com