"Jay Honeck" wrote:
You were indifferent before, yet you are now hooked. I believe that
sums up precisely what AOPA and much of the GA world is trying to
comprehend -- and the sooner we "break the code" the better.

Sometimes you do more harm by making someone feel like you are pushing
them to do something they aren't ready to do, Jay. Odd as it may seem to
those of us who are hooked, not everyone gets the same thrill out of
being at the controls of a small airplane.

Many people *are* afraid to go in a small airplane. Some of that is lack
of exposure, but for others, it wouldn't matter, they would never enjoy
it. The way I look at it is that if a non pilot agrees to go for a ride
with me, the best thing I can do is to ensure, to the best of my
ability, that they enjoy the experience. If they like it and are
interested in taking the controls or getting professional instruction as
a result, that's terrific, and I'd feel proud that they enjoyed the
experience that much!...but it isn't MY job to break any "code" or to
get anyone hooked. That comes from within each of us, in our own time.

I hope you didn't make your young friend feel like she disappointed or
even surprised you because she declined to take the controls.