From Cryptonomicon
It had been a standing joke among her male offspring that Mom could walk unescorted into any biker bar in the world and simply by her bearing and appearance cause all ongoing fistfights to be instantly suspended, all grubby elbows to be removed from the bar, postures to straighten, salty language to be choked off. The bikers would climb over one another's backs to take her coat, pull her chair back, address her as ma'am, etc.I mentioned this to my wife the other day and said that described her mother. She agreed. I'm a lucky guy to have such a great mother-in-law.
