Calling bikes "she"

Imagine getting mad over giving bikes pronouns...and yet people can change their own pronouns freely...this seems like a very childish discussion

You do know there's a significant difference between people choosing pronouns for themselves and people applying them to inanimate objects? Maybe you could work slowly from that starting point to the idea that sometimes the person applying that gender (usually not theirs) to the inanimate objects is revealing something less than admirable about their attitude to people of that gender. Although, if you're having trouble distinguishing between inanimate objects and people, that journey may involve a lot of tiny steps.

Well you've made the assumption that it "reveals something less admirable". Even saying it's sometimes is admitting that it's not always in bad interest. Instead of telling everyone that pronouning their bikes is wrong, perhaps put more focus on the people that are doing it with ill intent. I thought the whole reason you called a bike she is because it personifies it and in my experience makes me look after my bike more, as I notice it looks after me. I'm all for everyone being who they are but this seems like a very strawman argument about something that isn't harming anyone. I thought the main purpose of your way of thinking is risk prevention

Just go fuck your bike, no kink shaming here.

I thought the whole reason you called a bike she is because it personifies it

Point missed by a truly astronomical distance.

Can you tell me what point I missed so that I know at least?

Of course in the privacy of your own home, you can call your bikes whatever you like.

It's the culture of this well established online group that we don't call our bikes She. I support this standpoint.

If you've joined a group a couple of days ago, is it a wise move to start arguing with the values of that group? Is it going to give you the best experience ? The richest most useful membership? I doubt it. Kinda feel rather trolly to me to be honest.

The bit where I said it's the people who count, not the object, and you whiffled on about your feelings for the object?

If it came across trolly then I've given the wrong idea, I simply question things when they're frowned upon and thought I'd chuck in my opinion. If that's not something I can do here I'll stick to my bikes and not comment on any issues like this in the future.

How about not invoking the persecution of trans people as an outrageous comparison to your sensitivities about what you call your bike?

I agree with you it's the people that count, hence me questioning why it matters what pronouns you give an inanimate object that you own. If this is how discussions go down on this forum then I'll stick to bikes and keep my questions to myself. I was simply asking where the issue lies. My apologies.

I have friends that are going through hormone therapy and many others that are part of the lgbt community. I have no issue with any of that and was simply asking questions. If I can't do that then I won't and I apologise if I've violated any terms of the group. I can't say much more on it.

I have friends that are going through hormone therapy

Who will surely be thrilled that you put their experience on the same level as you and your bike. Just stop doubling down on the crassly stupid insensitivity, why don't you?

If I can't apologise and you're gonna keep nitpicking everything I say then clearly you're no better than me. I did not put it on the same level I got told I was "invoking the persecution of trans people" which I would never aim to do. Therefore I felt the need to defend the fact that I have no problem with how people present themselves as it doesn't affect me. I'm trying to give an apology and you still want me to just say I'm insensitive. In the name of harm reduction you're no good at explaining to people and may be the very reason some people are against it. I like to have a healthy conversation that is constructive so I can take something away from it. Hence why I'm not trying to insult anyone, while you're trying to say I have a "crassly stupid insensitivity". I hope everyone has a great night and once again apologies for any wrongdoings or things I have said.

Nitpicking? Never. I think you're a complete fuckwit. There is no part of your argument that I do not find objectionable, rest assured.

Alright mate have a good day

I think maybe @FGNewbie could benefit from a more reasoned response.

I don't think it's helpful to assume everyone has the same reference points.

The thread is fairly self-explanatory, despite a few of the usual detours. Could simply read back a few pages to gain greater insight.

fair point.

Edit: although having gone back and scanned through the first 3 pages, i now have my doubts.

There's a lot of nuance in the explanation which is too much to type out on a phone, but the crux of it is that it's a very simple language change we can make which helps us move away from gender inequality.
Put simply: if you use "she" to personify an object then you subconsciously objectify the pronoun (because it's always a "she" isn't it?) and therefore women.

I think maybe @FGNewbie could benefit from a more reasoned response.

They introduced themselves with "this is a very childish discussion".

I don't think it's helpful to assume everyone has the same reference points.

Reference points where introducing yourself by insulting everybody in the room is normal behaviour are certainly new to me.

Imagine getting mad over giving bikes pronouns

Imagine getting mad over not giving bikes pronouns

I didn't understand the harm and apologised. I'm now tryna move on but keep getting dragged back to this thread. I have apologised and said I will no longer comment on the topic in case I do more harm. I was simply asking questions cos I'm new here. If I put it in a way that was offensive I'm sorry, I clearly didn't have the understanding that other members do. Therefore I'll keep my ideals to myself and focus on my cycling. I can't undo things, I can only try to resolve them or apologise.

I can only try to resolve them or apologise

You've non-apologised for if you caused offence rather than resolve anything, which I think is why you "keep getting dragged back in" instead of learning you've kinda said "I'm still right, you're still wrong but I'm not going to talk about it anymore" it's not the worst thing you can do TBH but explains why people read it and then comment on it.

Then please help me resolve it, I don't understand what I can do and would rather resolve than be seen as someone who thinks he's right. That's really not the person I aim to be.