I don't know what it is, but today I've been stuck behind the slowest drivers around. And when I mean slow, I mean disgustingly slow to the point where a line of cars forms behind the offending vehicle. Of course the drivers are usually oblivious or apathetic to the situation at hand, which leads me to the moral of this story: people need to be more considerate of others.
I will not demand chivalry nor am I asking for us all to be saints, but what I would like to see is more people doing nice gestures for one another and taking other people into consideration on a regular basis. I'm talking about the simple things; holding a door open for someone, actually giving people a meaningful "thank you" and of course, not severely holding up traffic :)
Think about how often your day has been ruined just because of the tone of someone's voice (there are a million different ways to bring up an issue with someone, and believe it or not but the vast majority of them don't come off as scolding), yet I'm amazed by the number of people that will feel that way yet go on and do the same to others. I'm not saying you all do it but I'm saying that there has to be a way to bring more people to the realization of the problem and the relatively simple ways to go about making things better.
There's my rant for the day, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Am I crazy or does this make sense? :)
I will not demand chivalry nor am I asking for us all to be saints, but what I would like to see is more people doing nice gestures for one another and taking other people into consideration on a regular basis. I'm talking about the simple things; holding a door open for someone, actually giving people a meaningful "thank you" and of course, not severely holding up traffic :)
Think about how often your day has been ruined just because of the tone of someone's voice (there are a million different ways to bring up an issue with someone, and believe it or not but the vast majority of them don't come off as scolding), yet I'm amazed by the number of people that will feel that way yet go on and do the same to others. I'm not saying you all do it but I'm saying that there has to be a way to bring more people to the realization of the problem and the relatively simple ways to go about making things better.
There's my rant for the day, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Am I crazy or does this make sense? :)
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Chris - Thursday, January 29, 2004 - link
Ah yes, when the speed limit is set by the brake lights 2 feet in front of you... gotta love it.Thats how it is here in Tucson, at least in places like NY or LA people have places to go. There is no excuse for the traffic in a dust bowl like Tucson!!!
I agree though, the problem is people being considerate. I do lend my part to a Borg like society when I can; doing something for my own benefit in the most efficient way possible, without impeding on others that may have the same self oriented goals. Theres nothing wrong with thinking about YOUR needs only so long as you keep in mind that other people may have the same perspective.
Examples:
If your stuck at a light waiting for multiple cycles, then you might as well pause to let someone get out of a parking lot since your not going anywhere. But if another lane is making the persons exit impossible anyway, you might as well keep going. Coordinate with those around you.
If your going to pull out in front of someone doing 90 peeling out of a parking because you don't want to wait another 15 minutes on traffic, then continue going 90, don't shread your tires just to get in front of somebody then drop immediately to 25...
Learn physics so you can turn at high speeds and not have to drop to 3 mph to turn when there are people behind you going 45.
If someone is trying to cross a busy street, and your rear view mirror is clear, dont bother stopping: this person has waited all this time, your the last car that the person will have to wait for, and that person will have all the time in the world to cross after you.
Delegate right of way to the person who was there first or who has been waiting longest. They have exactly 1 second to acknowledge, otherwise if they are playing around, not paying attention, or yapping on their cell phones and can't take the 1 second window, they yield right of way.
Merge lanes suck. Death to the "holier than though" types who see everyone else getting over due to a merge or because of construction, and speeds along the ending lane thinking they deserve cuts at the merge point because they have a lexus or something. Never do this, and go out of your way to block these people from getting over. They can wait in line like everyone else.
dtravis - Saturday, January 24, 2004 - link
Very well said Anand, I agree completely and try my best to practice it daily.SeraphsSati - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
Anand, in order for us to be thoughtful of others we need to be in a good mood ourselves. Thats why a majority of the time you see people flicking each other off, and cursing and honking horns, because they are in a "gotta get there fast, get out of my" state of mind. When all your blood rushes to every part of the body except the brain its difficult to be the caring, thoughtful person. Know what I mean?
Anonymous - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
Whats a man to do? Wait for Tejas or go with Prescott?oobnuker - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
Only a fool let's someone ruin their day.It's YOUR day. Don't give someone ELSE that power over you.
hansolox1 - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
"but what I would like to see is more people doing nice gestures for one another and taking other people into consideration on a regular basis"It would logically follow that the first step towards this action would be that whenever someone is driving in such a way that it slows you down, you should take that person into consideration and not get angry or frustrated with them being oblivious or apathetic. In that way, you are being considerate of there desire to be oblivious and/or apathetic.
David Audish - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
Crazy? Obviously! I am just kidding. Even if chivalry begins AND ends with your own actions, do not let that stop you. This is not something that can be taught or learned. That is not to say that a man with a good heart cannot learn to hold open a door for a fellow human being. I sympathize with your plight sir Shimpi. It appears as though you are opening your eyes to the world and, sadly enough, discovering that not everyone shares your own beliefs in this regard. Do not give up hope completely and be drawn in to the ways of the despicable you speak of. Do not let others malcontent with life hinder your better judgment. When someone is rude or unkind just smile a little bigger and practice YOUR belief in the way things should be done.Anonymous - Friday, January 23, 2004 - link
Where in the hell is the Raptor article?Observant Viewer - Thursday, January 22, 2004 - link
It is ironic that you would state this and on this date, whereas you have extended absolutely no courtesy to others. It is true that we should all be well-mannered and considerate, but I wish many would practice what they theoretically espouse or purport.HammerFan - Thursday, January 22, 2004 - link
Totally agree about the slow drivers (or ones that don't drive so well period), and about people doing (or not doing) kind gestures to other people.