Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I was honked at today, and I’m still not over it.

Here’s what happened:

This morning I went to drop my kids off at school, determined to remain calm regardless of the chaos that is “get ready for school.” Kaleb and Leah began fighting over who would open the door. Kaleb opened it, Leah closed it and tried reopening it only to be cut off by her brother. And since I couldn’t reach the door myself, this happened one more time before the car behind us honked. I told my children they needed to get out. Now.

Disoriented by the honking, both my dear, dear children seemed to forget how to open the van altogether, so I opened my door, walked over to their side and opened it for them. By this time a string of cars had backed up behind us and the Honker was giving me the exaggerated shoulder shrug. I sent my kids off, finally, and went to get back into my car.

Guess what? It was locked. And all my knocking on the window didn’t rouse Zack from his car seat. I looked back at the Honker apologetically only to be given the I’m-not-going-to-kill-you-now-because-we’re-in-public look . Finally the girl I babysit undid her seatbelt and opened my door to which the woman behind me revved her engine. I was tempted to go back and check for her tread marks.

Really. Why the impatience? Is the car honking, fist shaking and general glaring really necessary? Did she think I was watching TV and eating breakfast in my van, thumbing my nose at her and all the cars waiting behind her? I understand that people are in a hurry, and I’ve had my own hasty frustrations, but can’t we just assume that people are doing the best they can?

Or it is my turn to feel bad for her because, apparently, things upset her fairly easily. That or she was having a bad day, only exacerbated by the hold up. So this is where I take my lesson to the Honker and turn it back on myself. I'm just going to assume that she was doing the best she could, and let it go.

Okay. Now I'm over it.

16 comments:

Spammon said...

You know what would have been awesome? When she kept honking, start moving in slow motion. Maybe even do a slow motion robot move.

Rosie said...

We all get so impatient with each other. I understand this-but in the dropoff line? Kids are the slowest creatures on earth when they need to be in a hurry! I have one of those children-when we are in the biggest hurry she can't move at all. She can't find anything or even think. Makes me crazy--but in the carpool dropoff line? Come on!

shauna said...

Spammon--somehow I need to be able to channel your comebacks right when I need them. The robot move would've been perfect.

Rosie--honestly, that's how I felt. And she didn't wait long before honking either. I was upset about this all morning. But finally I decided it wasn't worth it. I'm guessing she's going to harbor it longer than I have anyway.

Rachel said...

sounds like you handled it well though.. I hat that!

Melodrama Mama said...

I agree that we all need just cut each other some slack. That being said - if I witnessed that scenario - and a person actually did the slow motion robot I would have wet my pants!

Crazed Nitwit said...

I've always thought a pop up sign that would relay our thoughts like in your story "Back off Beyotch! I'm working on it."

People can be such rude nasty morons.

Suburban Correspondent said...

You know, the second round of honking, when she could see I was locked out of my car? I would have had to go over and say, "Excuse me, did you want something? Because right now I'm trying to get back into my car, and you're distracting me."

Candygirlflies said...

Rats. With a title like that, I was hoping it was some hot guy appreciating the gorgeousness of Yummy Mummy You.

What's with people who think that where THEY'RE going is so much more important than anyone else???

When people like that honk at me? I SLOW DOWN EVEN MORE. Hey, I've got kids in my car... and you know what? Ain't NOTHING more important than that.

Then, I go home and envision driving over the honker's skull while pedalling furiously on my stationary bicycle.

Oh, yeah. I'M healthy, mentally and physically!! Harhar.

xoxo CGF

GustoBones said...

I used to be the most impatient driver out there! Seriously. Now, even when I am in a hurry I try not to freak out at the person behind the wheel because I hate it when somebody freaks on me! I am better about not giving it, but haven't grown much in the area of taking it. I probably would have thrown my hands up in the air and screamed, "I'm doing the best I can OK!!!!" So, props to you for keeping your cool!

shauna said...

CFG, Can I just say "I love you" for using "Yummy Mummy You" in your comment. Oh, and I have to tell you, I just found a stationary bike on Craigslist for $20! I'm hoping the guy hasn't sold it yet, so I just might join you on those daily bike rides (relieving all that stress in a healthy way--by imagining we're crushing skulls...breath in, breath out....ahhhh)

Gustogirl, Utah turned me into an angry driver so I totally get the impatience. But I was ready to lose it when she still expressed anger after realizing I was locked out of my car. I may have been calm and collected on the outside, but I was seething on the inside.

Spammon, I'm still wishing I had done the robot in slow motion. Now I'm actually wishing it happens again so I can!

Candygirlflies said...

A $20 stationary bike??! Giddy-up!!

And my mantra for crushing skulls?? "Serenity NOW, Goddammit!! SERENITY NOW!!!"

xoxo CGF

GustoBones said...

I am from Utah so I can say this. The drivers there are CRAZY! I think they are all trying so hard to CTR most of the time that they like to let loose on the road, hahaha.

Tari said...

I think of you every time I'm in the drop off line at school and I'm getting a little annoyed they're taking so long. I tell myself not eveyones kids are ready to bolt from the car like mine.

Tari said...

However I would never honk at someone. I may be annoyed but I'm not the type to express it like that.

jen said...

I have a really funny story that kind of relates to this, sort of. But it is really long so you have to remind me to tell you sometime. Oh, and by the way, the robot move would have been awesome! Although, I am always afraid of all those road rage stories you hear now days, maybe she would have flipped and started driving forward...but then maybe you could have sued the crap out of her and got a new van. oh, the possibilities. love ya, jen

Anonymous said...

It was probably me honking. Not really, but thanks for the perspective. I needed that!