Who should succeed Alan Greenspan?
He appears on the front page of the Economist that I received 2 days ago. As much as I wanted to read about what they have to say about him, the iconic figure that people do hold their breath and listen to when he speaks, today was just not the day. I had more "important" things to take care of 
W was not too convinced that a circle with a cross below is a female sign. "Red is not really the kind of colour you would associate with a male symbol, isn’t it?", we all asked, including the very pro cycle shop sales assistant, showing his disbelief. But he was very sure that’s a male bike.
We were about to leave the shop, but W pleaded that we should double check, maybe with anyone in the shop. I understood that it would be a grave mistake if I left this shop with a female bike. But it was hard for me to question the judgement of that pro, who had been really helpful and nice throughout.
I was a bit surprised that not many people in the shop know the answer to the male and female sign. This asian (or indian as we malaysian usually call them) sounded like he knows exactly which is a male sign, circle with a cross below. That alone prompted me to go upstairs to confirm with the pro one more time. He was all smiling, drawing me both signs on the back of a piece of torn cardboard. The explanation from him wasn’t convincing, even after he showed his muscular arm at an angle to explain that the arrow represents male power, or masculinity But he was absolutely 100% sure, as he showed no sign of any second thoughts. I could see why, when he started explaining that saddle on a men’s bike is narrower, and hand grip on ladies’ bike is thinner. Anyhow I still ended up asking two more people in the shop and checked the Internet. He’s right, and I’m glad that he’s right, as too many people around think they know something when they actually don’t; yet I wonder where they get such confidence from. In this simple case of male and female symbols, where you can either be completely right, or completely wrong. If you know the answer, you should have facts to back you, as you probably have read something about it. But if you are confident about a wrong answer…
It’s no coincidence why some people can command so much respect from other people.
