The last 2 posts point out what I was referring to in my earlier post, I certainly don't have a cavalier attitude towards turbulence beyond moderate, I treat it with the greatest respect.
I still maintain that most pilots, in my opinion, over-state turbulent conditions. We, as pilots rely heavily upon applying all of the cumulative GOOD AND FACTUAL information gained to conduct a safe flight. Unreliable over-stated reports do NOT lend themselves to using all available reliable knowledge for the safest option.
Then again.... as FE Hoppy says, a pilot's subjective evaluation is probably the end result of his or her previous experiences.
Regards,
Old Smokey