Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Grrrrr....

I don't get it. Road rage. I. don't. get. it. People who are perfectly nice and normal when you meet them on the street are suddenly transformed when glass windows and metal are separating you. People who can usually see the good in others suddenly assume the worst of everyone. "That person is a #&^#%*)@....he just cut me off!!!" Why is the first assumption that he is a mean spirited person with a personal vendetta against you? Do the same people who tailgate, hold up Mr tall man, and mouth profanities do the same when someone does something they don't like face to face. I know there are probably some that feel the world is out to get them and are just plain mean most of the time. However, I know people who struggle with road rage, and they are as genteel as can be when you meet them in person. Why do angry drivers take things so personally, and why do they feel they need to punish all other drivers when offended? Do they really think their rage is going to change the driving habits of the world?

I don't struggle much with anger. I am not a push over. I can be passionate, strong willed, and even stubborn, but it takes a lot to get me angry. When someone drives aggressively and offends me in some way, I may give them a stern look, but I have never (no really, I mean N-E-V-E-R) flicked someone off or swore at them in retaliation. It just seems immature. On a recent drive, I was flicked off TWICE. I am a good driver. I admit I drive fast, but I don't drive angry, and I don't think I deserved such treatment. I'll describe one of the incidents to explain...

There are two lanes turning left at a light. After both lanes round the corner, they soon merge into one lane. Driving protocol is that each lane takes turns merging. The person driving to my left was on the tail of the person in front of her, but the lanes are designed to facilitate the merge, and I merged when it was my turn. She laid on her horn and both she and her passenger had their middle fingers high in the air. It didn't ruin my day, but it did ruin a few minutes. I just don't get it.......why can't we all just get along?

PS. If you are in the angry driver camp, please remove the Jesus fish from your bumper. No really, you are not witnessing to anyone.

8 comments:

Christopher Apperson said...

Awesome post! I especially love the part about removing the Jesus fish. Very insightful comments and I hope it was therapeutic too!

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

I am with you... I am not into road rage either. Why let it get you all in a fit, ya know?

YEARS ago, as in 20 at least my dad and I were driving down the road when we saw a man from our church in the car across from us. He was a man we knew and respected. I pointed him out to my dad and he honked and we both waved enthusiastically. I guess he thought we were "road raging" b/c he then flicked us off.

To this day, 20 some years later, I still remember it and sadly it comes to mind when I see him at church.

People are always watching.

Mari said...

You are so right! I have some rage about road rage!!! The part about removing the Jesus fish is right on. When people have anything on their vehicle that says they are a Christian and then act that way, it certainly messes with their testimony.

Short Stop said...

I am SO with you on this one.

And, in keeping with Crystal's comment, I can't tell you how many times someone has been road ragin' and then turned into the church parking lot. I'm always like, "hee hee". LAME!!!

andrea @ The Train To Crazy said...

Yes, once people get into their cars they think the world revolves around them. Someone OWES them something. Sadly though, I am fairly convinced that we are who we are, not matter where we are.

I love the saying "no matter where you go, there you are."

Those who suffer from road rage most certainly suffer from rage in other areas of their life. It is under stress (like in heavy traffic, or when our child is throwing a gigantic fit and there is nobody to witness our behavior) when we get to see who we really are.

Just Mom said...

I used to fall in to the road rage camp, but then I moved to a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. And had a child. Now I just make snarky comments under my breath -- and on my blog. :-D

Christie said...

I'm totally w/ you! I don't get it w/ this. Somehow, some people seem to lose their sanity when they get behind the wheel.

Kristen said...

This just happened to me yesterday! I was at a 4 way stop and proceeded through the intersection and a car was turning left and he was DEFINITELY angry with me - he was about to bust out of his front windshield yelling at me. Really over something so silly... i really wanted to just wave and smile at him!