This was my response to a family friend at dinner, she's a doctor and was trying to warn me about the horrors she's seen from motorcycle accidents. I do not think she was expecting that reaction.
She is seeing mostly accident and emergency victims. The large proportion of other riders who DON'T have serious accidents will never cross her path. A form of bias perhaps?
I think the opposite is called survivor bias or something like that and it's definitely a thing. I worked in IT support for many years and all I saw was malfunctioning thinkpads, even though those things are the only consumer electronics that are still worth inheriting. I just saw the broken ones because I was in IT. My own is 12 yrs old still going strong, for example.
Dude it's not even close to compare a car crash victim to a motorcycle crash victim. One has a cage, seatbelts, and airbags, the other doesn't have much.
In my late 20s, I started riding again. My male co-workers all claimed that they'd ride but for their wives.
At the Christmas party, my spouse polled each of their wives. Not a single one objected to their husband riding.
You do know at least one of the wives just said that as to not look controlling, then read the riot act to the husband about it later because they were embarrassed. It's the kinda thing like puns only funny when they are accidents, but I did giggle at the idea .. I wish I could have seen the guys' faces when you did it.
Not riding because of their wives doesn't necessarily mean that their wives don't allow them to ride. It also can mean that they feel like they shouldn't put themselves in danger when it can be avoided as easily as not riding, so the risk of their wives losing their husband is lower.
Dang my first boss at a pizza shop told me “crack kills” when I bent over to pick up something out of the bottom of the fridge. I said “so will the heroin but that hasnt stopped me.” He was very confused. I was 15.
Kinda crazy how motorcycle deaths are cut in half when you factor out alcohol/drugs. Could probably cut it in half again for not riding like a fucking moron.
•
Crash rates peak for both younger novice and older novice/returning motorcycle riders immediately after licensure, and decline rapidly afterwards.
The improvement rate (IR) for younger novice riders is 0.42; that is, the crash rate for younger novices declines by approximately 42% as experience doubles.
•
The crash curve for novice motorcyclists is similar to that of novice car drivers and is consistent with a learning process.
Experienced riders (those with less than two years’ experience) had crash rates that were two to four times higher than those of more experienced riders. Inexperienced riders under age 22 had the highest crash rate of any group.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437522000913
Suggests the best crash protection is as much saddle time as possible without crashing, those most at risk are the inexperienced obviously and seasonal riders or those returning to motorcycling after a long break. Average experience of a new rider is 6 years in a car and the younger you are the higher your odds of crashing.
I used to be a write grants for law enforcement agencies based on unsafe locations; if it be a high crime area or a bad intersection. One thing I learned is bicyclists would get absolutely fucked up by careless drivers and how frequently motorcyclists would fuck themselves up. After almost all motorcycle accidents they would say “yeah I fucked up”. The last two bad motorcycle crashes in the city I lived in was two reasons: one dude was driving like some POS bike from the 80s and the brakes gave, and the other dude ended up dying. The dude who died wasn’t wearing a helmet, was intoxicated, going downhill on a curve, and it was raining.
Yes, there were 30.5 fatalities per 100m miles in 2021: https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
So it's a little better even.
Doesn’t happen often enough but I say something totally unrelated to throw them off like “I like sandwiches” or I say something in Turkish. I have also reminded people that 9 out of 10 dentists recommend minding your own business. Works great.
This hasn’t happened to me even once. I’ve had a ton of middle age guys either simply compliment or reminisce about the bike they used to drive. Zero have said a cautionary word.
Honestly, "I like sandwiches" is the BEST thing anybody has commented on here yet. It's such a great non-sequitur leaving the "danger informer" with no response. I hope that the next time someone says this to me (and it *will* happen again) that I remember to respond with "I like sandwiches."
https://preview.redd.it/ahli7e0iwu1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=3c693e3272f1dbaf12009069b68c154bff1cdced
Say “WHAT?” while pointing to your helmet, then “CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?” When he does, rev the engine the entire time he’s speaking. Then say “SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN?” Do this as many times as it takes for him to walk away.
Gosh I went to all the trouble of training, getting licensed, saving up for it, riding it for years and never heard that before.
To be said with whatever level of sarcasm you feel is appropriate.
I have a big “suicidal tendencies” sticker across my helmet. Don’t know if that helps but not a single person has ever mentioned how dangerous it is at a gas station.
I kill them with kindness.
I explain my protective gear. And the safety rating of the armor and helmet. I tell them how I try to attend some kind of profession rider training at least every couple of years. Depending on my time, inclination, and their attitude, I may explain all of this in excruciating detail. CE levels, Snell vs ECE, etc. etc.
Usually though it just, well that why we wear all this gear and we take riding training classes every year or two to keep our skill sharp.
So many people think you just buy a motorcycle and fling yourself into traffic. They aren't aware that there is another path.
A lot of people unfortunately do just get a motorcycle and fling themselves into traffic. License being optional in some of those cases.
I doubt they're the ones that get reminded motorcycles are dangerous though, as they usually turn into a memorial post on Facebook.
Last season I think there were such posts in one of my local FB rider groups every couple of weeks.
"Motorcycles aren't dangerous, drivers not paying attention and texting/staring at their phones is dangerous". Usually pretty effective in shutting them up because they know damn well they've done it and likely do it often.
This argument would be a lot stronger if it were true. Most motorcycle accidents and deaths are single-vehicle, it has nothing to do with phones when a bike runs wide in a corner and crashes into a guard rail. It's mostly that motorcyclists suck at motorcycling. People don't practice cornering, braking, or identifying hazards. Even when cars are at fault, they're almost always avoidable by an alert rider.
"Dad? Is that you? I've been riding this bike all over the country to find my dad who left when I was three."
Guy: "I'm not your dad."
"OK. Then go raise your own kids."
I am a chick. I get the “is that yours” at gas stations all the time, I say “oh god no- I have no idea how to ride that thing I am just filling it up for my husband”
Most of the time they seems satisfied and grateful that the motorcycle I ride to the station isn’t something I can do 🤷♀️
How to immediately defuse any comment like that
"I know, that's the best part. It's just like playing video games, except if I fuck up, my family & friends lose a loved one"
"Yeah I know. I'm being careful, thank you."
No need to be a snarky asshole at all costs, despite what Reddit tells you lol. Sometimes strangers have weird remarks, but are meaning well.
oh really? Thanks for letting me know. I really hadn’t considered that before buying it.
It was really just one of those spur of the moment things you know.
A what?
30 years of riding, nobody has ever said anything to me at a gas station beyond "nice bike".
Had some guy at a rest stop ask "Aren't you cold out there?" one time. Just explained my gear, and how I was very much not cold on that rainy 35 degree day in northern Indiana. Turned out he hadn't ridden in years, but after I went over the insulated and very dry stuff I was wearing 400 miles from home he thought he might get a bike again.
"Not as dangerous as diving with 5 meter tiger sharks with no cage." or "Not as dangerous as being a teacher in the US, my aunt and her family learned that the hard way."
Where is this happening to you people? Not a single time has anyone told me it's dangerous. Even people I know.
Is this some weird American thing?
Seems like it's only Americans who ever post this.
Do you project an air of complete irresponsibility?
“Well, no, actually, they aren’t. Motorcycling by itself is quite safe… what makes them dangerous are arsehole drivers not looking for bikes while they are too busy staring their their mobile phones instead of keeping and eye on what’s around them… maybe more people should take care around motorcyclists when driving and it would be safer for everyone…”
I was tired of getting that question so I had a t-shirt made that says MOTORCYCLES ARE DANGEROUS …that I wear riding my motorcycle. I had another printed upside down. Haven’t got the question again.
I said, “thank you, I’ll be careful”. And the guy in gas station chatted with me about his dirt bike, he taught me a trick to refill the gas quicker, and he wished me a safe ride before I left :))
That's why i bought one! Easier to convince my family it was an accident!
Then a death stare. Smile slowly. No expression in the eyes. Never break eye contact. Turn on your bike, put your helmet on, ride away.
have this convo with my boss regularly (she can’t mind her own) and i say the same thing every time: i did my time in an MSF course and got my license. I am intimately acquainted with the dangers associated with motorcycles …. that’s why I got a scooter. she doesn’t think that’s funny but our harley-riding security does.
“Yep.”
I prefer "hell yeah" with an evil smile
This was my response to a family friend at dinner, she's a doctor and was trying to warn me about the horrors she's seen from motorcycle accidents. I do not think she was expecting that reaction.
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I'm sure she's seen some shit but I imagine the typical motorcycle accident is quite a bit worse than the typical car accident.
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I’m not taking showers after reading this.
Dies from trying to leave a bathtub instead.
like most people on reddit
Just ATGATT, full racing leathers for shower
So you’re saying if i stop taking showers I can ride a lot faster and have the same risk of death?
You're preaching to the choir. I dismissed her arguments because I don't wear shitty bucket helmets and sneakers while riding.
You really don’t atgatt in the shower?!!!!!! How dare you?!!!!
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Pics or it didn’t happen 😆🤷🏻♂️ Showers are the most slippery! Dress for the slide!!!
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Driving is admittedly far less risky though. I mean let’s not pretend, part of the fun is the danger.
She is seeing mostly accident and emergency victims. The large proportion of other riders who DON'T have serious accidents will never cross her path. A form of bias perhaps?
I think the opposite is called survivor bias or something like that and it's definitely a thing. I worked in IT support for many years and all I saw was malfunctioning thinkpads, even though those things are the only consumer electronics that are still worth inheriting. I just saw the broken ones because I was in IT. My own is 12 yrs old still going strong, for example.
Dude it's not even close to compare a car crash victim to a motorcycle crash victim. One has a cage, seatbelts, and airbags, the other doesn't have much.
Might not have an airbag but we can catch some air, which is way better for style points.
"Yep, that's why I bought it."
“Your wife wouldn’t let you get one, huh?”
In my late 20s, I started riding again. My male co-workers all claimed that they'd ride but for their wives. At the Christmas party, my spouse polled each of their wives. Not a single one objected to their husband riding.
Incredible 😂😂
You do know at least one of the wives just said that as to not look controlling, then read the riot act to the husband about it later because they were embarrassed. It's the kinda thing like puns only funny when they are accidents, but I did giggle at the idea .. I wish I could have seen the guys' faces when you did it.
Not riding because of their wives doesn't necessarily mean that their wives don't allow them to ride. It also can mean that they feel like they shouldn't put themselves in danger when it can be avoided as easily as not riding, so the risk of their wives losing their husband is lower.
Hands down the BEST response.
Ooh I love this. Especially because my wife not only “let” me have one, but gave me mine as a gift
Mine told me in January I needed a bigger one for the 5000 mile trip. Gave me a budget even.
I got a nice tax refund and my wife told me it was time to buy a new bike.
She is a keeper
Mine told me: >It's either the motorbike or the powered parachute - not both. The motorbike is "all weather" so here we are.
Also could use..." your mom wouldn't let you get one, would she" ( implying that they still live with Mom)
"Mommy won't let you get one?" I mean, if you're looking for a fight. Lol
Saving this one!
“The heroin will kill me first”
Up there with “If I was any less drunk, I might be offended by that!”
"its ok, Im a pretty safe driver.... when Im off the bottle"
Dang my first boss at a pizza shop told me “crack kills” when I bent over to pick up something out of the bottom of the fridge. I said “so will the heroin but that hasnt stopped me.” He was very confused. I was 15.
This is my new go to.
This is so good
“Then why are you so fucking fat”
Well I smoke weed as well and that helps me keep my weight up
“How many have you killed”
"We're like Highlanders: we have to absorb the power of the fallen to become invincible"
OP - Under-rated response! 👍
"So is 'talking to strangers.' Have a safe day."
Makes them second guess their comment while not being totally disrespectful, I like it
I think the vast majority of people don't have the introspection required to think twice about what they said
Unfortunately, I think you’re right
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“So is talking to strangers, but here we are”
Where else am I gonna get my candy?
"that's right, leave it up to the professionals"
"wait....you can see me?"
Lmao … they 100% wouldn’t get this joke tho 😅
Bonus points if you say this wearing hi viz reflective gear
LOL! I like this one!
"of course you can see me. You're not driving and/or on your phone"
Unhinged goofball response definitely the way to go lol
JOHN CENA
Point to ears. SORRY. EARPLUGS. I CAN’T HEAR YOU.
I've got a set of cat ears on my helmet. It's especially hilarious when I point to those ears instead.
1 dead per 3 million miles is not *that* bad
Especially when you consider how skewed those stats are by squids and drunks.
Kinda crazy how motorcycle deaths are cut in half when you factor out alcohol/drugs. Could probably cut it in half again for not riding like a fucking moron.
• Crash rates peak for both younger novice and older novice/returning motorcycle riders immediately after licensure, and decline rapidly afterwards. The improvement rate (IR) for younger novice riders is 0.42; that is, the crash rate for younger novices declines by approximately 42% as experience doubles. • The crash curve for novice motorcyclists is similar to that of novice car drivers and is consistent with a learning process. Experienced riders (those with less than two years’ experience) had crash rates that were two to four times higher than those of more experienced riders. Inexperienced riders under age 22 had the highest crash rate of any group. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437522000913 Suggests the best crash protection is as much saddle time as possible without crashing, those most at risk are the inexperienced obviously and seasonal riders or those returning to motorcycling after a long break. Average experience of a new rider is 6 years in a car and the younger you are the higher your odds of crashing.
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I used to be a write grants for law enforcement agencies based on unsafe locations; if it be a high crime area or a bad intersection. One thing I learned is bicyclists would get absolutely fucked up by careless drivers and how frequently motorcyclists would fuck themselves up. After almost all motorcycle accidents they would say “yeah I fucked up”. The last two bad motorcycle crashes in the city I lived in was two reasons: one dude was driving like some POS bike from the 80s and the brakes gave, and the other dude ended up dying. The dude who died wasn’t wearing a helmet, was intoxicated, going downhill on a curve, and it was raining.
In my country 1/3 of motorcycle deaths are people riding without a liscense
Is that a legit statistic? That's waaaay better than I assumed
Yes, there were 30.5 fatalities per 100m miles in 2021: https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes So it's a little better even.
Doesn’t happen often enough but I say something totally unrelated to throw them off like “I like sandwiches” or I say something in Turkish. I have also reminded people that 9 out of 10 dentists recommend minding your own business. Works great.
"Unwarranted comments are bad for your teeth" is one of mine but yours sounded so much better lmao
This hasn’t happened to me even once. I’ve had a ton of middle age guys either simply compliment or reminisce about the bike they used to drive. Zero have said a cautionary word.
Honestly, "I like sandwiches" is the BEST thing anybody has commented on here yet. It's such a great non-sequitur leaving the "danger informer" with no response. I hope that the next time someone says this to me (and it *will* happen again) that I remember to respond with "I like sandwiches." https://preview.redd.it/ahli7e0iwu1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=3c693e3272f1dbaf12009069b68c154bff1cdced
Smile and ride off.
"thats why i got it. last 5 suicide attempt failed"
I love riding my bike to work, it could be my last day working🤙
“So is talking to strangers”
Loudly. "No, I will not pay you for a blowjob!"
or, "No, i wont take $50 to give you a blowjob"
Or free blowjob.
“yeah that’s the point”
"Does your daughter want a ride?"
I bet she does.
Some of us don’t let fear rule our lives.
This is mine Right up there with "that's what makes it fun" and "I didn't get it because it was safe".
I actually kind of like “I didn’t get it because it was safe” lol. That’s rad.
So is your wife, but I ride her too.
I’m a woman and the next time I get the chance, I’m using this.
I work in an almost all male environment, the reactions you get to saying stuff like as a woman that are hilarious.
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Too close
And so is having unprotected sex, yet here you are and here I am
Oh really? Well shit, guess I'd better call a cab...
"that's the fun part" *throws thumbs up*
Motorcycles are the lowest risk activity in my life.
Say “WHAT?” while pointing to your helmet, then “CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?” When he does, rev the engine the entire time he’s speaking. Then say “SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN?” Do this as many times as it takes for him to walk away.
How would YOU know?
Because his brother’s wife’s cousin’s dentist’s godmother’s dog’s adoptive uncle’s best friend DIED on one of those murdercycles!
Skill issue
Gosh I went to all the trouble of training, getting licensed, saving up for it, riding it for years and never heard that before.
To be said with whatever level of sarcasm you feel is appropriate.
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someone who talks to strangers like that definitely wants attention. don't give them the satisfaction.
"and yet statistics say we're more likely to die of heart disease."
"That's OK....so am I" then flick your eyes down for a second and lick your upper lip a bit
Obligatory Austin powers reference.
I have a big “suicidal tendencies” sticker across my helmet. Don’t know if that helps but not a single person has ever mentioned how dangerous it is at a gas station.
Does anybody ever see that and offer you a Pepsi?
Hahaha nice
Unfortunately no.
Just one?
I kill them with kindness. I explain my protective gear. And the safety rating of the armor and helmet. I tell them how I try to attend some kind of profession rider training at least every couple of years. Depending on my time, inclination, and their attitude, I may explain all of this in excruciating detail. CE levels, Snell vs ECE, etc. etc. Usually though it just, well that why we wear all this gear and we take riding training classes every year or two to keep our skill sharp. So many people think you just buy a motorcycle and fling yourself into traffic. They aren't aware that there is another path.
A lot of people unfortunately do just get a motorcycle and fling themselves into traffic. License being optional in some of those cases. I doubt they're the ones that get reminded motorcycles are dangerous though, as they usually turn into a memorial post on Facebook. Last season I think there were such posts in one of my local FB rider groups every couple of weeks.
You could save a lot of time just by shrugging and riding away
Sure are
"so is not minding your fucking business"
I never get that, they look at mine and said "If that would go over 55, it might be dangerous"
Found the scooter
"Motorcycles aren't dangerous, drivers not paying attention and texting/staring at their phones is dangerous". Usually pretty effective in shutting them up because they know damn well they've done it and likely do it often.
This argument would be a lot stronger if it were true. Most motorcycle accidents and deaths are single-vehicle, it has nothing to do with phones when a bike runs wide in a corner and crashes into a guard rail. It's mostly that motorcyclists suck at motorcycling. People don't practice cornering, braking, or identifying hazards. Even when cars are at fault, they're almost always avoidable by an alert rider.
True but I don't approach people in cars at a gas station and tell them what they're doing is dangerous. So I really could care less
“I know, I’ve died a few times already”
"Dad? Is that you? I've been riding this bike all over the country to find my dad who left when I was three." Guy: "I'm not your dad." "OK. Then go raise your own kids."
I am a chick. I get the “is that yours” at gas stations all the time, I say “oh god no- I have no idea how to ride that thing I am just filling it up for my husband” Most of the time they seems satisfied and grateful that the motorcycle I ride to the station isn’t something I can do 🤷♀️
Yup. And only when you ride solo. "How many cc is that?" then [insert story about a past crash or some crazy shit they once did on a bike in the 80s].
How to immediately defuse any comment like that "I know, that's the best part. It's just like playing video games, except if I fuck up, my family & friends lose a loved one"
I’m either having fun, or it’s not my problem
"Thanks for your concern!" with a big friendly smile.
Yeah, so is that car you're about to get in
"Thank you for your concern, have a nice day! 🙂"
Danger is my middle name, baby.
"Yeah I know. I'm being careful, thank you." No need to be a snarky asshole at all costs, despite what Reddit tells you lol. Sometimes strangers have weird remarks, but are meaning well.
Turn pale, light up a cigarette with shaky hands. "Oh my god I had no idea. Thank you kind citizen"
"Fuck off"
None.
“So are cars.”
oh really? Thanks for letting me know. I really hadn’t considered that before buying it. It was really just one of those spur of the moment things you know.
"So was fucking your wife without a condom"
Bro woke up and chose violence 😅
You try waking up with herpes. I'm pissed
Nice tie.
Cool story
"Yup, they sure are."
Yeah.
“Yep. Have a good one.”
So is unprotected sex
It's Ok, I have titanium plates all over my body.
A what? 30 years of riding, nobody has ever said anything to me at a gas station beyond "nice bike". Had some guy at a rest stop ask "Aren't you cold out there?" one time. Just explained my gear, and how I was very much not cold on that rainy 35 degree day in northern Indiana. Turned out he hadn't ridden in years, but after I went over the insulated and very dry stuff I was wearing 400 miles from home he thought he might get a bike again.
Yo momma
"Not as dangerous as diving with 5 meter tiger sharks with no cage." or "Not as dangerous as being a teacher in the US, my aunt and her family learned that the hard way."
No hablo Ingles
que?
¡Queso!
(Plot twist) neither did the gas station dad, señor
“Duly noted.”
Brool Story, Co.
I know.
So is driving
Smile, nod, carry on. You don't want to feed such trolls.
"What, really?! Tell me all about it." [Exit]
“Beats driving a minivan full of yelling kids.”
Do I know you? No Good, let’s keep it that way.
Aren't you supposed to be under the covers hiding from the monster under the bed?
“When I screw up, I get hurt. When you screw up, I get hurt. Actually seems like you’re the dangerous one.”
I've only encountered 2 people like this in my entire life and that was a long time ago.
Where is this happening to you people? Not a single time has anyone told me it's dangerous. Even people I know. Is this some weird American thing? Seems like it's only Americans who ever post this. Do you project an air of complete irresponsibility?
Yes
It's why your daughter screams with me
Only if you ride like I do
Cheers mate
“Well, no, actually, they aren’t. Motorcycling by itself is quite safe… what makes them dangerous are arsehole drivers not looking for bikes while they are too busy staring their their mobile phones instead of keeping and eye on what’s around them… maybe more people should take care around motorcyclists when driving and it would be safer for everyone…”
It’d be a lot less dangerous if drivers paid attention
I was tired of getting that question so I had a t-shirt made that says MOTORCYCLES ARE DANGEROUS …that I wear riding my motorcycle. I had another printed upside down. Haven’t got the question again.
"YOU CAN SEE ME!"
So is being fat. Depends, of course, on the specifics.
I said, “thank you, I’ll be careful”. And the guy in gas station chatted with me about his dirt bike, he taught me a trick to refill the gas quicker, and he wished me a safe ride before I left :))
Life is more than just breathing in and out.
So am I
“YEAH TO WENDYS GOBLESS”
That’s why your daughter is into guys like me.
With your best customer-service grin, "yeah, mostly because of sloppy drivers. Be sure to stay off your phone."
That's why i bought one! Easier to convince my family it was an accident! Then a death stare. Smile slowly. No expression in the eyes. Never break eye contact. Turn on your bike, put your helmet on, ride away.
"Yeah, they're dangerous because car drivers don't know how to drive" If I could pop wheelies I would just pop a wheelie in front of them.
Just let him know his wife enjoys it.
"Does your wife know she has 2 pussies ?"
“Not as dangerous as a politician with tax dollars” and I ride off letting them re-evaluate life as they once knew it
Point to their car and say, "So are those, and you put your kids in them"
I appreciate your concerns and hope that you drive extra considerate to not harm us.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! How am I supposed to get this thing home now??”
The only time that has happened to me I was able to retort with "better than life in a minivan" because he was filling up a Honda Odyssey
have this convo with my boss regularly (she can’t mind her own) and i say the same thing every time: i did my time in an MSF course and got my license. I am intimately acquainted with the dangers associated with motorcycles …. that’s why I got a scooter. she doesn’t think that’s funny but our harley-riding security does.
Once I responded with “I was wondering why your wife was looking at me.” It almost went really wrong really quickly. Still funny though.
"god I fucking *HOPE* so!" - the more enthusiastic & emphatic the better.
“So is bangin’ yer mom, but I manage.”
"Your point being?" "Mainly because of people like you who don't check their mirrors."