How do I get over this??

[Ellen]

I'll try to be brief.

The world as I knew it is almost gone. People have become so friggin rude. Everywhere I go I see it. But for some reason, drivers on the road are beginning to bring out the beast in me. And I am NOT an aggressive person. I hate this. And I honestly don't know how to stop it.


i.e. Today I pull up to a 3 way stop. The guy to my left and I arrive at the same time. It is NOT the last persons turn, they arrived after us. Technically it's my turn, but I hesitate, as I ALWAYS do now, because so many people go out of turn and I don't want to get hit.

The guy to my left doesn't move, so I start to turn, and the car who clearly shouldn't be going anywhere starts driving, where I SHOULD be turning now, but can't. Because I hesitated, they took it as a sign that they had the right to go out of turn. I look at them as they pass, because I have pulled dangerously close to them, and it's some young girl. Not that it matters, rude people come in all ages and sizes.

A rage has now built in me that has me on the verge of doing something stupid.

Remember the parking lot scene in Fried Green Tomatoes, when Kathy Bates rams the rude little girls car cuz she whipped in the parking space when Kathy was going for it?? THAT'S what I felt like doing. Seriously.

I glare at her, she ignores me.

I wonder then what people like that think after doing something rude. They probably think, no biggie, not like she's gonna hit me. And that's exactly why I want to do it. I'm sick of it. They get away with it, because they can. And this is FAR from an isolated incident, at least around here. It happens all the time.

I know I should just chill, but I can't. It's wrong. And yet, it happens, and I can't do a thing about it.


So, what do I do?

 

[Skippy123]

Ellen, I am sorry; I wish I had advice but all I can say is that I hear ya!!!! I feel like I am going through the same thing as you. I was so angry today I wanted to get mad at people in the grocery store. I found people on their cell phones w/their big ole baskets and standing in the way of things I need to buy while they chat

. I understand your frustration. I guess the best we can do is take deep breaths; it is sooooo hard.

People seem so rude lately!!!

I almost told this rude girl she was rude but then I thought "what am I thinking. . . I will be kicked out of the store!" I understand feeling stuck and frustrated! Telling myself deep breath deep breath

 

[AmberGretchen]

Ellen - stuff like this happens to me ALL THE TIME, and it really steams me. Just yesterday, someone cut me off as I pulled into the small street near my work, only to steal the last available parking space in a safe area from me because she was right in front of me. I was so mad

I know its not the nicest response or the most mature, but whatever gets you through the day...I usually deal with it by reminding myself how blessed I am in my life. Trust me, that sounds more good-natured than it is. Sure, I play the mental "I have a wonderful husband and lovely friends who support me and care about me" card, but I also tend to take a lot of satisfaction from reminding myself that I'm probably smarter than that person is and that I'm likely to make a lot more money and have a much nicer life than them someday (if I don't already). Like I said, I'm not proud of that part of the reaction, but it does help. I admit (and this is shallow, I know), that I tend to take particular satisfaction when it is someone who clearly doesn't take care of their appearance and/or health (i.e. really sloppy and/or smoking away on a cigarette or whatever).

So basically, I guess I deal with similar situations by (1) reminding myself how lucky and how blessed I am in my life and that if that little bit of rudeness gives that person satisfaction or if they really think it will help them in any significant way (i.e. getting where they are going 30 second faster), then I should feel pity and sympathy for them, not anger, and (2) being judgmental

I think that probably the focusing on my blessings part is the most productive - I am a fairly aggressive, high-stress, high-strung person and so I can get really worked up about stuff like that, but reminding myself what an incredibly wonderful life I really do have and what wonderful people I have in it really helps me be more zen. I also know if I really can't let it go I can always tell my hubby/friends/mother about it later and get sympathy and righteous indignation on my behalf...sometimes that venting to someone who understands how crazy it makes you helps a whole lot!

I'm sorry about your frustration, and I hope you can find one or more wholesome or not-so-wholesome things to think about that help you feel better in situations like this in the future

 

[FireGoddess]

I'm a honker. As in, when someone does something like that to me, I lay on that horn like I'm takin' a nap on it. I like to tell people when they're being a@@holes. It's unfortunately somewhat often. Yesterday someone almost plowed into me while speeding around in a parking lot. I had my windows down. I stopped right in front of her, laid on the horn, and said, 'Jesus lady, you're in a parking lot. Slow it down!!!' I'm sure I could be considered rude for doing that, but the way I look at it, my bluntness pales in comparison to their ridiculous driving.

I also find that letting it out that way (honk) stops it from being bottled up inside me, which could stress me out and distract me while I'm driving.

One of my girlfriends said it best, 'That person is SO LUCKY I don't have rocks in my car right now. They'd be hurtling at her as I speak.' DOH!

ETA: People do seem to be getting ruder, and not only while driving. It's really a shame.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Oh I hear ya Ellen. I get worked up too (even when I try not to). Driving is the worst. I was waiting for a parking space and when I say waiting they were getting into their car when I turned on my blinker. Of course they had to get settled and they pulled out (probably took 10 mins). Then out of NO WHERE this SUV comes and starts to pull into the space. I was so angry (it is a really hard lot to get a space). Luckily at the last minute he noticed me and pulled out, rolled down his window and said he was sorry. All was forgiven but my heart was still racing.

The other day at Home Depot I was second in line to return something. There were three people behind me. Another register opened and called for the next person in line (which was me). I turned around to go and the lady who was LAST ran over there!

Then he said he could take the next person (STILL ME) so I turned around and the guy who was now last started going over there.

Then he saw me and registered "wait that is not fair" and told me I should go. The lady behind me said "she needs to go more than you!" Ha, a big preggo belly garners sympthy I guess. Anyways it was nice of him to back off and realize he was not next in line. I even thanked him. I glared at the mean line jumper not that she noticed.

I honestly think people are getting ruder. It is hard to have to roll off your back sometimes.

 

[Mara]

ha ha welcome to my world. everywhere around me,i feel like i am surrounded by people who are in their own little world where only they matter and whatever they are doing is super important and no one else matters.

chances are...i do it too. i may not even realize i do it. i think everyone is like that now in one way or another. people also half the time don't recognize personal space or being considerate to others. i am sure i do it too...but i hope that i am not AS BAD as some people.

the perfect example that always gets me is on this hiking trail that we walk...a lot of areas get really narrow so that if someone is coming one way and another person on the other side, you can't fit more than 2 people. so if you are walking with a friend...you automatically start to go single file when you see someone coming the other way so they can pass. well sometimes people DON'T. and not only do they not go single file, they seem to fill up the entire space so you are almost pushed off the cliff trying to pass. it drives me INSANE when people do that. typically i just walk up to them if they don't move and say 'excuse me' in an artic-freeze voice and give them the death stare. half the time they just stare vacantly back, probably wondering 'what is her problem'.

the other day this happened to me and my friend while walking and we both turned to each other at the same time and exclaimed 'wth!'...it just blows my mind sometimes how inconsiderate people CAN be. and i think it's just that half the time they don't even realize they are doing it. when did everyone become so out of it and preoccupied with whatever they are thinking about vs what is really going on around them??? crazy.

oh and another time, while going to the trail, the lots are always crowded, i saw a car waiting patiently for someone to leave off to the side, blinker on and everything. someone zips up as the other car is leaving and takes the space!! it's like HELLO. didn't you look outside of your field of vision 2 inches, to see the other car sitting there waiting? i saw the other car guy get out and go over to the car that stole the spot but didn't wait to see what happened. but jeez.

 

[Gypsy]

I''m a honker too. It really does help with the rage. Especially in CA. I had no idea what a TERRIBLE bunch of drivers we have out here in comparison to NEW JERSEY. Yup, you read that right, I think NJ drivers are MUCH better, and nicer than CA drivers.

I''m sorry Ellen. Give them a nice long honk. It''ll get the little teeny boppers heart pumping like a rabbits.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:40:32 PM
Author: Mara

the perfect example that always gets me is on this hiking trail that we walk...a lot of areas get really narrow so that if someone is coming one way and another person on the other side, you can't fit more than 2 people. so if you are walking with a friend...you automatically start to go single file when you see someone coming the other way so they can pass. well sometimes people DON'T. and not only do they not go single file, they seem to fill up the entire space so you are almost pushed off the cliff trying to pass. it drives me INSANE when people do that. typically i just walk up to them if they don't move and say 'excuse me' in an artic-freeze voice and give them the death stare. half the time they just stare vacantly back, probably wondering 'what is her problem'.

I've had this happen too. Even at some locations on the work campus people will be 5 in a row, and just me coming the other way and they don't move. So I've started body checking them.

Sure, if one of you five ain't gonna move, I sure ain't either. And I will stare you down once you collide with me.

Man, I'm irritable sometimes.

ETA: Gypsy, I agree. And I grew up in NJ. Right there with ya on the comparison. However, I did hone my honking skills in Jersey.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:39:51 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

The other day at Home Depot I was second in line to return something. There were three people behind me. Another register opened and called for the next person in line (which was me). I turned around to go and the lady who was LAST ran over there!

Then he said he could take the next person (STILL ME) so I turned around and the guy who was now last started going over there.

Then he saw me and registered 'wait that is not fair' and told me I should go. The lady behind me said 'she needs to go more than you!' Ha, a big preggo belly garners sympthy I guess. Anyways it was nice of him to back off and realize he was not next in line. I even thanked him. I glared at the mean line jumper not that she noticed.

I honestly think people are getting ruder. It is hard to have to roll off your back sometimes.

The same thing happened to me many times; I now speak up since I hate waiting in line! People are so rude; they don't even think about the others waiting a long time in line! sheesh!!!

I was shopping at Target w/o a basket and some lady w/ a basket said excuse me so I thought she need to get through the aisle, I didn't realize she was going to look at the items I was looking at at that moment. People are rude and I lay on the horn too FG!!! It works but then I worry about people shooting you for doing it since I heard that in the news. Ugh, it all just bugs me!!!! Wow, I didn't realize I was so angry.

Thanks for this thread Ellen; we need a place to vent! You are so smart

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:45:06 PM
Author: Skippy123

People are rude and I lay on the horn too FG!!! It works but then I worry about people shooting you for doing it since I heard that in the news.

I''ve heard that too Skippy. I figure if I didn''t get shot in Texas, I''m okay here in CA. They''ve got way more guns there. heehee

 

[TravelingGal]

I try not honk here in L.A. It can get you killed.

The other day, I actually honked at a guy who made a left turn in front of me when there was no left turn signal. The light turned green and he decided to go FIRST ahead of the oncoming traffic. Hello? I honked and he actually had the nerve to give me the finger when he was fully in the wrong. Unbelievable.

Most of the time I just tell myself to chill out...that it''s only toxic to me because the offender just doesn''t care. The only time these days I say anything is at an airport it seems. I was at LAX the other day and the line to get to the security line was LONG (outside the terminal). Once you got in, you had to cross the ticketing floor to the escalator and it was chaos. A couple tried to merge right into the line, bypassing most of it. I just yelled out to them, "Hey, get in line like EVERYONE else. The line is OUT THERE." They looked sheepish and the airport workers escorted them outside. Hmph.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:44:20 PM
Author: FireGoddess


ETA: Gypsy, I agree. And I grew up in NJ. Right there with ya on the comparison. However, I did hone my honking skills in Jersey.

I was an amatuer honker in DC. Moved up to the big time in NJ-- especially once I started commuting from the shore to Newark.

 

[musey]

You know, most of the time I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. People are distracted a lot of the time. Not to say that I don't give 'em the old horn when they do something really out of line

but I've caught myself doing or almost doing something on the road that would get in someone's way. Not often, but enough to know that people don't always mean to take advantage or be rude--it just happens when we're not concentrating on the people/cars around us.

It's not that those horribly rude people aren't out there. I just think that a lot of the time when we get cut off, or someone drives out of turn, or walks in front of us onto the escalator, etc... it's an honest mistake.

Now, I should disclaim that I do a better job of this forgive-and-forget thing when driving in smaller/friendlier places (like where I grew up) than when I'm driving in LA

My horn gets a lot of action up here!

ETA: TG, this:

I honked and he actually had the nerve to give me the finger when he was fully in the wrong. Unbelievable.

Is one of the few things on the road that really DOES make me angry. I've given warning honks countless times to people who were in the wrong and about to HIT ME, and almost every time I get the finger! If they're not endangering anyone I don't bother, but when they roll through a stop sign and almost hit my car.... you WAVE and mouth "sorry!" when that happens, not give the finger!!!!

 

[Mara]

OMG TG recently we were all boarding an airplane...southwest. we'd been waiting in the A/B/C line pretty patiently but the plane was late etc etc. so we are all finally being herded onto the plane in our respective lines. we are in like line A or B...and some dude who was just standing there talking to someone decides he wants to get on the plane. so he starts to merge into the middle of our line! nevermind we have all been in line for like 40 min and he is just standing there gabbing and decides it's time to get on. he totally slowly starts getting in front of me...WRONG. i pushed in front and told him 'EXCUSE ME' and he makes some sort of harrumph noise, and i said 'the line started BACK THERE' and he just stared at me. and the person in back of me LETS HIM IN. way to make a stand. so this guy is behind me the whole time as we get on the plane...i was with a coworker and we were both like 'can you believe the nerve' in a super loud tone, so that he could hear us. he didn't even seem to care...he got in line so why did it matter what we thought. and TG you are so right, about it being toxic to you because the other person really doesn't care. i can guarantee you that he thought basically 'what is her problem, she should just chill out'.

i feel like whenever someone is mad, the other party is always like 'hey what's the problem'. oblivious.

 

[gailrmv]

People are so rude! Just today I was talking w/ my account rep for a service we use at work. He was exceedingly rude, and I usually let it roll but today I said, "there''s no need for you to take that tone with me" and he was like "what tone" and continued being a jerk. I hate confrontation so I was glad I said something - it was good for me. I got all red faced so I was glad it was over the phone. I hung up and said to my coworker I cannot BELIEVE this guy is an account rep, I don''t think I''ve been spoken to so rudely in.... years!
Hang in there Ellen -

 

[musey]

Had to add that... I think the horn unfairly focuses on the people in front of you. What if someone''s tailgating? Nothing to do. I used to joke to FI that I wanted a floodlight installed in the back window of my hatchback, that I could flash when someone was tailgating.

He then made the very astute observation that my plan of blinding the driver tailgating me would probably backfire.

Still, I wish there were a way to tell those people to back the **** off.

Tailgaters. Gotta love ''em.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:38:40 PM
Author: FireGoddess
I''m a honker. As in, when someone does something like that to me, I lay on that horn like I''m takin'' a nap on it. I like to tell people when they''re being a@@holes. It''s unfortunately somewhat often. Yesterday someone almost plowed into me while speeding around in a parking lot. I had my windows down. I stopped right in front of her, laid on the horn, and said, ''Jesus lady, you''re in a parking lot. Slow it down!!!'' I''m sure I could be considered rude for doing that, but the way I look at it, my bluntness pales in comparison to their ridiculous driving.

I also find that letting it out that way (honk) stops it from being bottled up inside me, which could stress me out and distract me while I''m driving.

One of my girlfriends said it best, ''That person is SO LUCKY I don''t have rocks in my car right now. They''d be hurtling at her as I speak.'' DOH!

ETA: People do seem to be getting ruder, and not only while driving. It''s really a shame.

Me too! Lay on that horn and tell them off in no uncertain terms. A two-honk says "A$$hole" very nicely, I think; matches those syllables -- and they know what you mean. I''m pretty nice, but I have an Irish temper, and I''m quick to react when people are rude. Good book about society''s growing rudeness (written about the UK but still appropriate for USA) is "Talk to the Hand". Forgot the author -- should be easy to find on Amazon if you are interested.

Aside from the crappy driving habits of the average Joe/Jane -- my biggest pet peeve is cell phones used everywhere. I''m sorry, but when you''re in the restroom, especially if you''re in the middle of a #2, PLEASE don''t answer the phone or call someone! If you do, I''m gonna flush, flush again, and keep flushing.

 

[Ellen]

*whew*

At least it''s not just me! And yes, people are WAY ruder than I ever remember. Like Mara said, everyone is in their own little world, and they matter more. Not.

Skippy, I busted out laughing when you said the grocery store. That''s the other place that can get my blood boiling. I can''t count the times I have wanted to grab some woman who has walked away from her cart several feet, left her purse in it, and left the cart in the middle of the aisle, and said, "LADY, do you park your car like this??? Get OVER".

Amber, I never thought of doing that. I''ll try the not-so-wholesome thoughts.

FG, lol @ "takin a nap on it"

Thing is, I''ve done that. They don''t bat an eyelash.

And honestly, people are so nutty now, I''m really kind of affraid of doing or saying much. It would be my luck I''d say something to the guy with a loaded gun on his seat.

But, honking does make one feel a bit better.....


Tacori, see, pregnancy has its rewards.

And at least you had some people who got a brain halfway through.

Mara, I think one of the things that makes me get so upset is, I go out of my way to NOT be rude, because I know how it appears, and makes one feel. So then when everyone else is like, Rules? Not fer me!, I just want to kill someone. *sigh*


Thanks guys, really. It helps just knowing I''m not alone, and to vent. Honestly though, I really kinda scared MYSELF today, at how mad I got, and how close I came to ramming that little girls rear end.....

But hey, I''m older, and I got more insurance.

 

[musey]

ack double post! How very RUDE of me

 

[Ellen]

Ok, I have to give up the puter so son can take some practice tests, BBL to respond.

 

[elsie]

It''s so nice to hear people share that same RAGE

feeling I get! Since we all seem to care about being nice drivers, I think we should all form our own l''il diamond-loving, blingalicious town where driving is less stressful and life is shiny.

I don''t mind ignorant drivers as much as aggressive jerks who know exactly how bad they''re driving. I live in a big metropolitan area, and it stresses me out when I''m tailgated all the way to work and someone zooms around me on the shoulder at 100 mph on the freeway. People around here are raised to be rude, it seems. We live in a cul-de-sac, and kids 5-13 years old are already riding around and zipping in front of and cutting off cars that are trying to back up carefully and avoid hitting them! I''m ashamed to say that I gave a ~12-yr-old the finger a couple of weeks ago because he cut in front of me and gave me attitude when I tapped the horn. Breathe, breathe...

We''re seriously thinking about moving in a few years just to get away from the rush rush rush rudeness and the stress!

Okay, thanks for the chance to vent.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 8/30/2007 8:00:43 PM
Author: Mara
OMG TG recently we were all boarding an airplane...southwest. we''d been waiting in the A/B/C line pretty patiently but the plane was late etc etc. so we are all finally being herded onto the plane in our respective lines. we are in like line A or B...and some dude who was just standing there talking to someone decides he wants to get on the plane. so he starts to merge into the middle of our line! nevermind we have all been in line for like 40 min and he is just standing there gabbing and decides it''s time to get on. he totally slowly starts getting in front of me...WRONG. i pushed in front and told him ''EXCUSE ME'' and he makes some sort of harrumph noise, and i said ''the line started BACK THERE'' and he just stared at me. and the person in back of me LETS HIM IN. way to make a stand. so this guy is behind me the whole time as we get on the plane...i was with a coworker and we were both like ''can you believe the nerve'' in a super loud tone, so that he could hear us. he didn''t even seem to care...he got in line so why did it matter what we thought. and TG you are so right, about it being toxic to you because the other person really doesn''t care. i can guarantee you that he thought basically ''what is her problem, she should just chill out''.

i feel like whenever someone is mad, the other party is always like ''hey what''s the problem''. oblivious.

No kidding Mara...they really don''t care.

And Southwest is awful. I try to avoid it, but when I do, I just resign myself to the fact that I get what I pay for. The last time I flew it (June, I think), we were going to Vegas. At this particular gate, they had the chairs lined up so that you could just sit and wait for your row to board. Great! Well this woman bypassed all the people sitting for group A (we were in B) and sat down on the floor at the front of the line. There was a huge filipino family who were the first ones in line and one of them said "excuse me, the line started with us", to which this woman had the NERVE to say, "I don''t know where you''re from, but whatever."

We were like WHAT? The filipino lady said, "we''re from America, just like you." People in line were so appalled by this woman that they started talking to her and giving her flack. She just ignored everyone and just boarded ahead of everyone else. My only consolation was that this woman was at least getting some lip from other passengers. She went for the aisle seat/exit row and TGuy "accidently" bumped into her with his carry on duffle when he passed her. I don''t condone that at all (I think it''s kind of childish) but I wasn''t about to stick up for this woman either.

 

[Shay37]

I was driving into Providence yesterday, and before I got to my job, I had said at least once that it''s got to be a full moon. The drivers were asinine, and don''t get me started on the pedestrians.

People cutting me off, one person pulled over to park and decided right away that that wasn''t the spot they wanted and pulled right back out with no signal either time and I almost hit them.

As for the walkers in this city, EXCUSE ME: NOW HEAR THIS: if you are crossing in the middle of the block, no crosswalk, no light in your favor, YOU ARE NOT A PEDESTRIAN. you are a HOOD ORNAMENT!!!!!!!!!!


Sorry, just had to vent about that.

shay

 

[princesss]

I am SO glad that people like me are out there somewhere! The other day a girl in the car next to me did something that actually tempted me to get out of my car and smack her. There was an ambulance coming that had its lights and sirens on. It''s light turned red, but, as law abiding, caring, believers in Karma and cosmic retribution would, I recognized that it could go through no matter what. I certainly don''t want an ambulance that''s coming for me to be stopped. This girl pulls out almost all the way in front of it when our light turns green, forcing the ambulance to stop. She then stops in the middle of the intersection, and the ambulance has to maneuver around her! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH.

The next day, just to refresh my faith in people, a woman almost hit me when she ran through a stop sign in her minivan while talking on her cell phone. I''m sorry, but you don''t talk on your phone when you drive. It''s just TOO dangerous. My rule is if I can''t put my car in park, I can''t talk. Unfortunately, that seems rare.

I don''t hesitate to speak up in airports. At one point a guy tried to sneak his whole family past me, so I told him (in a rather aggravated tone) where the line started. He tried to ignore me and grab a bin, and my boyfriend put his hand in the bin and repeated what I said. He kept trying to argue and refusing to take me seriously (he was in his 40s, I was 20 at the time), until I directed him to the security guard and SHE backed me up. Seriously, we''re all stressed, we''re all in a rush, you''re not special just because you want to cut in line. Afterwards, several people thanked my boyfriend and me and told us they never would have said something. WHY NOT? I just get so annoyed.

Honestly, I don''t have a real way to deal with it. I get upset, I do the "WTF??" look, and then I complain when I get home. And now.

 

[curiopotter]

OOoh Ellen... I feel your pain. It''s even worse when I''m on my motorcycle, either that or I tend to notice more because I''m not in a cage. I''ve had people DRIFTING into my lane, or THROWN things out their windows like cigarette butts and trash while I''m riding beside them!


There''s a few guys and gals in my riding group who have air-horns (like the ones the 18 wheelers have) because when ''the morons'' (as we justifiably call them) don''t LOOK before they make their turns, because they''re too busy yapping away on their ridiculous cell phones, they respond MUCH more quickly to 125 decibels of pure HOOOOONK in their rear views.

Buy an air-horn. They''ll poop their pants.

 

[Miranda]

I just try to stay calm and have patience with people, as hard as that can be. I tell myself that these rude drivers are all on their way to the ER. That is the only possible reason for their rudeness, right?

On the way to the mall today I honked at a lady in front of me. Not a loooooong blast, just a toot. The light had turned green and the cars in front of her were long gone. I thought she needed reminding that she was driving and probably should stop the eye to eye contact she was having with her rear seat passengers. She of course flipped me the bird and went on her merry way. Whatever!!!

 

[scarleta]

Ellen: I am so sorry it had to happen to you.Not easy situation and I do understand your frustration.Unfortunately there is not much you can do and whatever else you are going to do will make you even more upset.Its hard but I remind myself often to calm down because the people who did it to you are having lots of fun.What to do is to accept it and move on.It will likely happen again and again (as it always does) so just try to think and stay positive.Not everyone is rude and I hope you will be blessed with meeting better bunch in the future. I am so sorry...

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/30/2007 7:39:51 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Oh I hear ya Ellen. I get worked up too (even when I try not to). Driving is the worst. I was waiting for a parking space and when I say waiting they were getting into their car when I turned on my blinker. Of course they had to get settled and they pulled out (probably took 10 mins). Then out of NO WHERE this SUV comes and starts to pull into the space. I was so angry (it is a really hard lot to get a space). Luckily at the last minute he noticed me and pulled out, rolled down his window and said he was sorry. All was forgiven but my heart was still racing...

wait they actually backed out and let you have the space?!!!! i''ve never seen (or heard) of that! ever.
you''re in niceville usa compared to me!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/30/2007 8:34:29 PM
Author: Shay37
I was driving into Providence yesterday, and before I got to my job, I had said at least once that it''s got to be a full moon. The drivers were asinine, and don''t get me started on the pedestrians.

People cutting me off, one person pulled over to park and decided right away that that wasn''t the spot they wanted and pulled right back out with no signal either time and I almost hit them.

As for the walkers in this city, EXCUSE ME: NOW HEAR THIS: if you are crossing in the middle of the block, no crosswalk, no light in your favor, YOU ARE NOT A PEDESTRIAN. you are a HOOD ORNAMENT!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, just had to vent about that.

shay

hood oranment. i hear ya. i work on a 3 lane road that is mostly freeway until it hits a certain area of town and there are lights & intersections and then it becomes a freeway again. anyway... i swear people wait until the most traffic is coming and walk right in front of traffic. WALK. no crosswalk in sight. clearly don''t have a chance to make it all the way across safely. and on top, what do they do??? TURN AND STARE at YOU the driver like you are NUTS. and like you don''t have the NERVE to hit them. like "hit me, i dare you!" is screaming from their eyes. true story. happens every other day.

so what do you do? yep, slam on your brakes praying you can stop, while pissed as heck!

 

[decodelighted]

I don't honk for rudeness -- I guess I kinda expect it. Everyone out for themselves and/or clueless blah blah ..... but I do honk for DANGER. People who risk the lives of others to break the law, or who swerve into my lane while I'm in it, or who keep making left turns in front of me LONG after my on-coming lane light is green.

Extreme fury in rudeness-only situations ... gotta ask what ELSE is going on? Hormonal stuff? Anger at something else, someone else, generalized anxiety?? Or do *you* think you're more important than everyone ELSE? Or have an expectation that life is *fair* and if you do the "right thing" everyone else will too??

BTW ... I'd guess about 50% people avoid eye contact or seem "cool" about (accidently??) being rude to save face & 50% actually don't care .... JMHO.


ETA: Ellen, are you a little angry at *yourself* for hesitating? Does that remind you of other situations where you've gotten "walked over" or something and perhaps that *feeling* is triggering a deeper well of rage? I always ask myself a lot of questions when I don't understand why I'm reacting so STRONGLY to something ... *shrug*