I picked up Drew after school yesterday, and we set off to the Dentist. As we drove down the road, I noticed a car fly up quickly behind me. The driver was in a hurry, going way too fast, and riding my tail like crazy. Might I note, I was going a few miles over the speed limit. As we rounded the corner together, I saw a funeral procession coming towards us. I began to slow my car (and OH, did that make her mad.) I eventually pulled over as the hearse passed by. I kept an eye on her in my rear-view mirror. I watched her throw her hands up, recognize the hearse in the other lane, and then stop.
Then, it happened.
As soon as the hearse passed by, my friend behind me started nudging towards my bumper. She threw up hands, she threw up a finger, she yelled, and she honked. All while the rest of the funeral procession with their little flags passed us by. My car stayed still. She gunned her silver Thunderbird up between my back bumper and the trail of mourners.
I wanted to roll down my window and scream, "What is wrong with you? Do you not understand the concept of RESPECT? Is your world so busy that you can't take one moment of it and honor that these peoples' worlds have stopped? Where are you going that is worth this anger? This carelessness? Are you so demanding and selfish that you must have everything immediately? Do you not see your chance to show another human being kindness?"
A fire jumped in my heart that made me want to pound that lady. Hello, Road Rage.
Then, it happened.
As soon as the hearse passed by, my friend behind me started nudging towards my bumper. She threw up hands, she threw up a finger, she yelled, and she honked. All while the rest of the funeral procession with their little flags passed us by. My car stayed still. She gunned her silver Thunderbird up between my back bumper and the trail of mourners.
I wanted to roll down my window and scream, "What is wrong with you? Do you not understand the concept of RESPECT? Is your world so busy that you can't take one moment of it and honor that these peoples' worlds have stopped? Where are you going that is worth this anger? This carelessness? Are you so demanding and selfish that you must have everything immediately? Do you not see your chance to show another human being kindness?"
A fire jumped in my heart that made me want to pound that lady. Hello, Road Rage.
I had to pull myself back from the edge. When I encounter this type of person, I have to remind myself (sometimes forcibly) "Turn the other cheek, Lori." I keep hearing in my head, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." So, to curb the rage I feel inside, I play a game.
Back Story
How to play: After you have interacted with a rager, you must create his or her reasoning for the crazy behavior. Now, I'm not talking about the "Oh, his wife could be in labor and they are on their way to the hospital." That's too easy. These back-stories must be creative. Here are some of my favs:
Back Story
How to play: After you have interacted with a rager, you must create his or her reasoning for the crazy behavior. Now, I'm not talking about the "Oh, his wife could be in labor and they are on their way to the hospital." That's too easy. These back-stories must be creative. Here are some of my favs:
1. A man is racing to catch the love of his life before she marries the wrong man. He has stayed quiet for too long.....he can't deny it any longer! He still loves her, and he's been such a fool for letting her go. (The new man is a cheating jerk in this scenario...) The wedding starts at 1:00, and he has 5 minutes to get to the church before he loses her forever. (aka "The Days of our Lives Back Story")
2. A young couple discover a bomb strapped in their glove compartment of their rental car. A note attached reads, "If this car goes under 50 mph it will explode." The girl drives frantically, as the boy tries to find a way to diffuse the bomb. (aka "The Speed Back-Story")
3. A lady is dressed to kill in designer duds, high heels and spanx. She is on her way to interview for a job she wants sooooo badly, but has carelessly decided to stop at White Castle en route. She is white-knuckle driving to the nearest bathroom, praying she can make it and save her Prada skirt.
You get the idea. It makes me laugh and helps ease the anger. I have no clue what kind of day that lady had before she sped up to the bumper of my car. Maybe she was fighting a really hard battle that afternoon (or maybe she was just being a big ole' meanie.) Either way, it's best just to drive a few yards, turn into the gas station, and watch her zoom past me. As I pulled back out onto the highway behind her I began, "A lady was on her way home when suddenly...."
Any road rage encounters out there? Anyone want to take a shot at a Back Story for my Rager?
Any road rage encounters out there? Anyone want to take a shot at a Back Story for my Rager?
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