Tonight on Twitter I was asked by fellow pod pilot, Scatha, or Eve_Scatha, as otherwise known on the Twitter feed, well, here. Read it for yourself.
From: @EVE_Scatha: @meanharri question: we ate lunch today at a "biker bar" in a tiny town, but is it a real biker bar if they have karaoke night?
My initial response was no. What self respecting biker bar would dare have a "karaoke night?" But the answer isn't that simple. If we look at the text book definition (clicky linky) we see the tiniest of complications mucking up the simplistic, or so I thought, simple answer.
1. a person who rides a bicycle, motorcycle, or motorbike, especially in competition or as a hobby.
If we examine this definition there is not much to examine. This about covers every one who rides including "outlaws."
Based upon that definition I would have to assume there would be agreement that, yes, karaoke would be a permissible and acceptable means of entertainment in a biker bar.
2. Informal . a member of a motorcycle gang.
I think to distinguish a "gang" we can start by defining a "club". A motorcycle club is, as it would appear, are a fairly harmless group of enthusiast whose activities range on a broad spectrum. But does that mean that a motorcycle gang is bad in comparison to a club? Is it fair to associate the typical conclusion of thought that most every one has when they hear the word, gang? If we look a this definition I think we have to conclude that, no, we can not. Why? You might ask...
Gang: noun
1. a group or band: A gang of boys gathered around the winning pitcher.
2. a group of youngsters or adolescents who associate closely, often exclusively, for social reasons, especially such a group engaging in delinquent behavior.
3. a group of people with compatible tastes or mutual interests who gather together for social reasons: I'm throwing a party for the gang I bowl with.
4. a group of persons working together; squad; shift: a gang of laborers.
5. a group of persons associated for some criminal or other antisocial purpose: a gang of thieves.
Club: noun, verb, clubbed, club·bing, adjective
1. a heavy stick, usually thicker at one end than at the other, suitable for use as a weapon; a cudgel.
2. a group of persons organized for a social, literary, athletic, political, or other purpose: They organized a computer club.
3. the building or rooms occupied by such a group.
4. an organization that offers its subscribers certain benefits, as discounts, bonuses, or interest, in return for regular purchases or payments: a book club; a record club; a Christmas club.
5. Sports .
a. a stick or bat used to drive a ball in various games, as golf.
b. Indian club.
...Based on the breaking down of definitions to the point of defining club and gang, by definition, a gang appears to worse than a club. The only thing bad mentioned in the definition of a club is that a club is used to define a heavy stick to be used as a weapon. I suppose the politically correct among us could say that an Indian club is a bad thing. But we aren't talking about that so fuck those morons.
Yet a club is defined in #2 as: a group of persons organized for a social, literary, athletic, political, or other purpose.
Very similar, if not the same as the #3 definition of gang:
a group of people with compatible tastes or mutual interests who gather together for social reasons
I believe it just may be society who has defined the "good' of the "bad" associated with "gang" versus club." Because according to what I see, a club, as equally, a gang, can socially gather to raise hell or raise money for; cancer? muscular dystrophy? the local fire department? Or outlaw activities?!.
If you're going to a biker bar, a known biker bar, I say this: Mind your manners, remember what respect is about, keep your mouth closed and ears open. If you start to feel eyes staring through to your spine, well, leave.
In other words; Enter at your own risk. As best I can tell society has defined bad with gang and good or decent with club. But you never can tell. Can you?
v Peace out
Harri
