Damn, this post started a new page, quick go back and read the last post on page 6 first!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
I don't think egomania is quite the reason. Indeed, I'll argue that it's just the opposite, insecurity. The average American, and particularly the average American male, is pretty darned insecure about his place in the world, and as a consequence he buys the big truck and suchlike to hide his insecurity behind. Whereas the truly egotistical (like me!) are secure in the knowledge of our superiority, and so don't need artificial props :-)
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I couldn't agree more.
The fragile male ego is exasperated in American culture in inumerable ways. The pressure to provide for a family, the pressure to succeed at work, the pressure to appear masculine, the pressure to attract an young, healthy, beautiful woman. All things pertaining to vanity are multiplied by commercialism from balding treatments, weight fixations, and self percieved erectile deficiencies from watching too much porn...to list just a few.
It's so out of hand that it dosen't make any sense half the time. In the summer I ride a Harley Sportster and all I ever hear from other Harley guys is how it's a chick's bike. Meanwhile, they are riding on their full dressers with air suspension, radios, heated hand grips, full fairings and windscreens...they may as well be cars.
But I'm the girl because why? My bike is smaller. Ignore the fact that it has a harsher ride, is less comfortable and takes a certain amount of physical exertion and requires a mild physical beating to ride. But I guess I'm a girly man. I guess I'm also a wimp because I throw a sleeping bag on the luggage rack and camp right off the bike, under the stars with no camp fire or heat, as opposed to dragging the 26' travel trailer with bed/toilet/shower/stove to a pay to stay camp site. Why not just stay home? This is why I just laugh and avoid riding with others.
There's a certain stigma among the hyper-testosterone-enrichment-self-esteem-deficient crowd that Sportsters, like small cars, are for chicks, and they wouldn't be "CAUGHT DEAD" in or on one. See, it's all about how other's see them. Massive insecurity issue.
It's been my observation that Harley Riders, as much as truck owners (often they are one in the same) are the most insecure people I've met. This is why people are so often quick to get angry or even violent if they feel slighted or disrespected. It's also why they tend to hang out in groups, strengh in numbers, helps mask the underlying insecurities. How about having enough self confidence to not care what other people say about you? Or how about not behaving in a way that invites said slights or disrespect?
But really, insecurity is a normal part of being a man, the problem is that insecurity is preyed upon, and wisely so, by companies looking to make money. First you make the man insecure, tell him hes poor, or bald, or fat, or has a small one, then you offer the solution, Cridit Card/Car Loan/Home Equity Loan, Rogaine, gym membership and Enzyte.
First step in education, turn off the damn TV.