h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, this morning, after a night of little and interrupted sleep, I was cut up by a van on the way to work. I leaned on my horn, and was vexed further when 50 yards up the road he filtered into the right hand lane - so he needn't have bothered practically forcing me into the verge.

I was going straight on. Naturally, as I drew level with him in the traffic light queue, I looked him in the eye and made the universal gesture for wrist exercise. I was still making said gesture when I hit the car in front.

Now, I relate this story for a number of reasons.

First, since absolutely no damage was done to my car or the car in front, it basically doesn't matter.

Second, it's quite funny. I'll bet that van driver has told everyone he met today and had a good chuckle. I hope you do too.

Third, it's out of character for me to behave like that on the road. Normally my mantra is "just let it go". Any other day, as I drew level with the van, I'd not have looked at him, and simply shook my head as if to say quietly to myself "some people!". I find it's a much more effective way of expressing disapproval, because they've nowhere to go from that. As it was, since my response to his bad driving was belligerence, he felt justified in giving me the wrist action gesture back, and no doubt amused that I then had a bump. I can only plead near exhaustion from sleep loss.

Finally, I would plead that anyone reading this follows my normal mantra - if someone cuts you up or otherwise offends you on the road... let it go. It doesn't matter. If you must, comfort yourself with the knowledge that if they carry on that way, they'll be dead soon.

SoRB

Crikey.

I know what you mean, I go through periods of being pretty Zen when driving, and others of being a bit of a madman. Reacting to stuff just gets you bothered and in truth really isn't worth the effort.

Sometimes though it is hard not to.....

Oh dear! What a moral tale.

Sometimes I find myself almost hoping to get round the next bend & find the lunatic who's just whizzed past has crashed.
I do find it very satisfying to arrive at the next lights/level crossing/junction & roll up behind such lunatics.

Wanchor

Unfortunately I have to spend 5 days a week in Surrey working. I have got used to White Van Man, and Big Mad Wanchor, and souped up chavmobile (1000cc's of whimpering demise, of which 900 cc's are powering th sound system), and finally Surrey Lady in an Ascot tractor.

Being a naturally laid back sort of guy it takes a lot to get me upright and swearing. My wife, though, is now complaining about the tense prat she gets back in Wales at the weekend.

I can sympathise completely with you mate. I'm just glad I'm not allowed to travel armed anymore.

Keep the peace SORJ, and reread 'If' by Rudyard Kipling.

Blessings,
Matholwch .

"If you can keep your head, when all about you are losing theirs...
You'll soon be the only one left with a head."



"If you can keep your head, when all about you are losing theirs...
You probably just don't understand the situation."



"If you can keep your head, when all about you are losing theirs...
Bully for you, Zen boy, I'm PANICKING!"

SoRB

"If you can keep your hair, when all about you are losing theirs...
It's probably something to do with you having really small testicles."

Know that there will be good days and bad days.
This is one of them.

"When the going gets weird, the Weird turn pro." - Hunter S. Thompson

I think that is one of the best quotes I have ever seen.

Roll up behind them, Teasswill? I pass them again. It's one of the perks.

TRiG.