This is just the definition of “roadie.” Sounds like you need to ride some dirt, we’re friendlier!
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This discussion reminds me of when my Dad had a VW Kombi. When you would see another Kombi on the road both drivers would instantly give a big wave/thumbs up smile - it was like you were part of a little club.
Maybe its a big city thing but on a nice morning out on the bike I could pass 500 cyclists. I can’t be waving at them all. However I find a similar thing happening to the Kombi. When I’m on the gravel bike i get and give nods to other gravel bikes. On the road bike in brand XZY kit, I get waves and notice others in the same brand kit. Maybe we all gravitate to our own little cliques?
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Meh. With all due respect, I think you should HTFU.
If you ride because you need approval from people you don’t know, well, you might have picked the wrong sport.
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It’s more likely a case of the amateur (competitive) cyclist taking themselves much, much too seriously.
Which reminds me…
To me, Rapha’s products are priced a lot like everyone else. Depending on the style/fit, Rapha jerseys, for example, are priced at $80, $100, $135, and $180. That’s what you’ll find from Santini, Castelli, Eliel, Pearl Izumi, Assos, Maap, just to name a few.
Cycling is expensive. It just is. We all show to group rides with bikes that cost $2,000 to $10,000, not to mention the cost of bike computers, power meters, lights, etc. I don’t see the point of looking down on someone who wears a $180 jersey, be it Rapha or any other brand. Wear what makes you happy. Ride what makes you happy. Be happy.
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All descriptions on group riding is why I run solo, with the exception of one buddy, or with my brother. I tend to like to be alone, and as far away from the human race as I can be. This being said, and I know this has been brought up many many times, and is becoming redundant: who cares what others wear? My brother and I do the Seattle to Portland ride, Tour de Blast, and others annually. There were guys in Team Sky full kit. I was fun and cool to see. My brother and I rode old school Team 7-11 jerseys. On an Ironman would you see me wear that? Nope. But, on a casual ride, wear what you want. Wear any brand, team wear, plain wear, beer wear, any colored socks…who cares. Look, life is short. When your time is up, who cares what jersey you wore. EDIT: I WILL BE WEARING THE USPS JERSEY FOR THE STP THIS YEAR. It’s the greatest looking jersey of all time: RED, WHITE, and BLUE!!!
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Yup.
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Haha whatever 
that looks great, too.
This is a good example of why I take pure delight in not wearing cycling jerseys, wearing no show ankle socks, having a huge ass bag on the back of my bike, a mirror on the end of my drops, and pretty much anything else that is The Taboo in the road bike cool world. I ride slowly, wave at every single thing I see. I’d say that here in athens, ga, about 79% of cyclists wave back, but I am fine with either, as roadies can either be a.) seriously training, suffering, and concentrated on their workout, and/or b.) the example of stereotypical road cyclists who are in their own minds better than the commoners due to differences in economic status, body composition, age, gender, talent, etc. Either way, I LOVE being on my bike and that’s that, regardless of the friendliness of anyone else on the same mode of transport as myself. I also love riding alone, so, as there are a lot of awesome riding groups around town (and are by all accounts 100% welcoming to anyone- it IS Athens, after all), I’m all good either way. In wearing what I am comfortable in and setting up my bike so I feel comfortable and safe, if I’m not good enough for certain folks, then we weed each other out organically! Enjoy riding your bike BECAUSE you love riding your bike.
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Who let Def Leppard in the room?
There ought to be some exception to this, though, right? Remember prince Harry at that fancy dress party? I determine him to be a class-A moron.
I did wear this in Majorca a few years ago and got shouted at by a Spanish cyclist
Unfortunately I’ve the physique associated with the subject matter 
Back to the topic in hand - there’s a bit of tribalism that goes on: roadies not acknowledging mountain bikers and vice versa but in general here in the north of England everyone acknowledges everyone else, cyclists, walkers, horse riders - coz we’re good like that On my commute there was one guy who simply refused to acknowledge anyone else - his problem. In contrast a local Olympic multiple gold medallist (you’d recognise the name) when out with his mates will wave, nod his head when he passes other riders.
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Dually noted.
If that one gives you too much hysteria, you can always armageddon it in a couple other red, white, and blue options rocked from the ages:
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Ha! I forgot about the Rock n Roll Michael Ball fiasco! Nice one.
I wouldn’t call Rapha clothing a status symbol at all. Maybe a fashion statement.
Call me weird, but in the Bay Area wearing Rapha is like seeing someone on the street wearing Gap jeans - you don’t give it a second notice. Do I have some Rapha stuff? Yes, all bought on sale because I like the functionality of the particular piece (knee warmers, light weight vest, insulated vest), and it fits me. No different than I only buy Castelli bib shorts because they fit me well, and are comfortable for me.
But back to the topic at hand: I wouldn’t say not waving at another cyclist shows a “decline of the friendly cyclist”. For me, the bigger indicators are: if you see a cyclist stopped at the side of the road, with a flat, do you slow and ask if they need any help? Are you courteous to pedestrians crossing the street? Do you acknowledge drivers when they give you the right of way / don’t pass on twisty roads / generally drive in a manner that respects you have every right to be on the road? Do you wave at every police / sheriff / ranger / etc. (seriously. You want law enforcement to treat cyclists better, then wave at them. Have their first reaction to any cyclist be positive, because they get that from cyclists)?
My $0.02
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Hmm interesting thought. I think, in that instance, you could spot someone who made a silly mistake or did something in poor taste, but that doesn’t mean you know the person.
Although I’d argue that judging somebody based on a fancy dress outfit is even less advisable than judging someone on their chosen day-to-day clothing, since half the idea of fancy dress is to look ridiculous.
Funny because this ridiculousness is exactly what happens to me almost on a daily basis at my place of employment. I commute to work and as I’m walking through the hallways still in my commuter garb I say ‘Good morning!’ or ‘Hello!’ to everyone I pass. 9/10 people do not respond. Yet after I change into my place of employment monkey suit, pass the same people and say the same thing…only then do I get a Good morning/Hello in reply. It’s very odd, gravely sad, and funny as hell.
Pertaining to cyclists (mostly roadies), I have a faint theory that many of them secretly want to be some kinda superhero (or already think they are!). If we all thought more Howard the Duck and less Dark Knight, this would be an unnecessary thread.
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Saw this tweet from Alex Dowsett and thought of this thread. 
“To the folk I offended, and it appears there are a number of them.
Fundamentally I get irked by riders that don’t acknowledge other riders on the road when there’s a clear superiority complex. Even in the deepest darkest depth of an interval I’ll wave, there’s no excuse.”
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