I just used to use the work "initiations" as an excuse for a fag
break... they'd invariably send you up to Woolies to buy some straight
s-hooks or red & white striped paint or whatever!
BTW I haven't at any stage suggested that there are people out there
who had such a dreadful time being "initiated" onto the rally scene
that they've never returned or that they've been "traumatised" or
anything quite so drama queen... the only point I'm trying to get
across is that there are people who are put off going in the first
place *just*in*case*
Personally, I want to encourage more people to join us, not dissuade them. That's all
Wannabe is making some very good points here peeps.
Some people can be put off rallying or similar by tales or threats of "initiation" even if meant in good humour.
I for one never saw the point in the RV "tradition". I haven't seen injuries either, but I have seen people attend their first rally and never go to one again because of what has happened.
After all pouring a pint over someone's head ain't gonna kill 'em, but sitting around soaked with beer, cold and miserable isn't my idea of a good weekend.
I ain't an RV despite what some people have suggested. I went to numerous rallies in the late eighties and only stopped because I was introduced to the wonders of the hotel room lol!
I can promise therefore that if anyone decides that I am an RV and chooses to treat me as such, they are going to go away with a different shaped nose lol!!!
Furthermore, I will protect those I care for with similar vigour!
IMO ... a lot of what goes on with RV's does depend not only on the RV but the people who are doing it.
Most know (more so now than in the past) just what someone will accept in the name of 'a joke' & that some are more up for a laugh.
Stella even tho had a bad knee was up for a laugh, she kinda knew something would happen, but those sorting it also knew not to go too far & that she had a bad knee & so it was all taken in the spirit that it was meant to be in.
I think that just making it known you dont want to take part in such (especially with everyone on here hence the name friendly bikers) would be enough for people to say OK we wont do them without the need for anything else to be promised.
ok, have read all through this post & agree with what everyone's saying - 'usually' your mates know how far you can be pushed & what you will/will not accept. I was a tad worried at first as everyone had been winding me up about it - but as has been said - I could easily have said NO. However, (despite this lot being insane!!) I trusted that they wouldn't go TOO far!
For me it was a good laugh - I get the mick taken out of me all the time,so being tied to the back of a trike with sanitary towels plastered all over me & a big sign saying RV (& it was my birthday aswell) was just a laugh to be honest..wish I could have stayed on the Bull a bit longer though - but it was all in good fun
Rose, this isn't meant to detract from your housewarming event in any way and as the two are very different things, I'm sure it won't.
Geoff was asked to arrange a 125cc run but that it would be nice to head in a southerly direction rather than the usual northerly one. This is a 125 friendly run first and foremost, which is why it's not mega miles.
Having said that, the thread seems to have developed into a RV thing with some good points being made. It's also nice to have the comfort that things won't be taken too far and if anyone is uncomfortable with anything, they will be listened to.
I'm sure no-one will be going home minus a few teeth or with a differently shaped nose - it's all just banter - right?
This does all seem to have got a little out of proportion, where I have seen RV initiation the guest of honour has always been there with a club and it was their clubmates/friends providing the fun/humiliation/initiation call it what you will. I have never seen an RV attacked by random passing rallygoers. The other point being that in every case the RV has made a major point of announcing that they are a "rally virgin" not that it is their first rally, I think the choice of phrase again a fair indicator as if they know the term they presumably have heard it in the context of the treatment of virgins.
I think everyone agrees that frightening folk away from rallies is a bad idea, on the other hand the wind up is a normal part of human nature. How many pregnant women have not been regaled with stories of 72 hours of agonising labour usually by their mothers and grandmothers the people who love them and are keenest on them having kids in the first place.
It is an odd part of human nature but it does seem like one that's been with us from the dawn of time and shows no sign of going away anytime soon.
In general I concur with Emzed, I had far worse treatment with the boy scouts and the air cadets than I have ever seen meted out to an RV.
Hmmm,lots of good comments here,from both sides of the fence.
Personally,to me its all good fun,i have heard,altho not witnessed,some horror stories regarding deflowerings and i would not take part in anything that would hurt or humiliate anyone.As has already been said its a rite of passage,a welcoming to the fold as it were.You start a new job,get married,join a sporting or social club,ect ect you expect and graciously accept your fate.Look at the masons,arguably the most influential 'club' in the country with people desperate to join,famed for their secret initiations.Do you think the initiates say"touch me and i'll rearrange your face"i don't think so.
Whan peeps take the time and trouble to arrange a fun,if albeit slightly embarrassing 'deflowering',it is intended to make you feel welcome and one of the 'gang',not to hurt or humiliate.
If you have no sense of humour or think your to special to follow tradition fine,i wouldn't waste my time on anyone to far up there own backsides to have any fun,but don't threaten to take my teeth cos that does offend me and i WILL rise to any gauntlet thrown at my feet!!
Please not this is MY opinion and is not to be confused with that of the friendly bikers.Geoff my apologies for hijacking your thread,may i suggest if anything else is to be said on the subject a new thread is started.
I was never "initiated" and i do have a sense of humour as those on here that know me will tell you. More than alot of people. Just for the record i don't think i'm special and don't ever think i'm up my own arse.
As for being a rite of passage,obviously those who have been deflowered must be the special ones cos not every rally goer has had it done.
Like i have already said i don't spoil peoples fun,just sometimes it gets taken too far.
As for the Masons,they have alot more to gain from joining them than we do standing in a muddy field drinking beer. No comparison really. Got bugger all to do with motorbikes.
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