Road Rage
Saturday, August 02, 2003
After a perfect date with the wench at our Thai restaurant, we had to stop off at the grocery store for necessary kidstuff. Driving through the parking lot ended up in a mixup more than just finding a spot. The BIG black SUV decided to pull out just as we were passing by. It did a good job of scaring me and the wench. I have a habit of making a disgruntled face at people like that (from the safety of my car). So I made my face at the guy and carried on. He followed me. The progression of events is easy enough to predict. I got to my destination easily enough, and was met by not just BBSUV, but his little-bittie car buddy. Facing three or more disgruntled gentlemen (my face must have been a good one), I was put on the defensive. I know what I should have done. I know what I shouldn't have done. I did the latter. I just kinda looked the other way as they used the old routine. Bully/gang tactics and threats work quite well on me and I just chickened out. I implied what they wanted me to and went my merry way. Wench, having more balls, at least made a stab at confronting them, but by then I'd already lost the battle for us. So much for a good date. This sort of thing hasn't happened to me in years. Good to know I haven't changed much. I justified everything with a very rousing bout of "Put self-preservation in front of my actions" and that worked for me. As the wench says, however, they'll just continue on with their quasi-illegal brute/bully tactics next time. And they'll continue until they're stopped or dead. I should have said the following: "I apologize, sir, for interrupting your day with my expression of disdain for your driving skills. Yes, I understand there are three of you, each of whom is big enough to pound my tiny ass to jello. If there really is a problem, l can call the police, and have them sort out the problem for us. Please refrain from bullying or hitting me until the boys in blue arrive so there's an audience for your self-indulgence. Oh, and please, if you have weapons or intend to damage my car or my wife, please try not to feel bad if I am not willing to cooperate further. Blah blah blah." Of course, all the while, I would have been using my intelligence skills to memorize their license plates and descriptions for future use. I'm sorry, o' community, for failing to provide an example of model citizenship. Maybe somebody else will take up my slack. Maybe I should get a BBSUV and some henchmen.
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