Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Got road rage? Try using a different digit to express it
I'm a bit of a road rager. Since I live 126 miles down a two-lane mountain road from a major airport, doctor, dentist, and multi-screen movie theater, I often find myself tailgating RVs and Sunday drivers who don't read the "holdup of more than five vehicles is illegal" signs. They also often neglect to move into the right lane when a passing lane opens on uphill stretches. The worst part of my drive is the last 30 miles or so to Anchorage, where the highway winds along Turrnagain Arm. It's impossible to pass, so if you get a slow car in front of you, you're stuck. This part of the drive is also where I usually am starving and have to pee, and find myself honking, flashing my brights, and generally being fairly obnoxious in an attempt to get the folks in front of me to speed up or pull over.
When I finally do pass them, my middle finger is -was - usually my expression of choice. But I've discovered a much more effective tool for expressing your road rage: a big ol' thumbs down. Here's my philosophy: if someone gives me their middle finger, my immediate response is "oh yeah? Well, f%&# YOU!" But if someone were to give me the thumbs down, I would hang my head in shame and reflect on how lame I am.
So on your next road trip, or trip to the store, consider this less aggressive form of expression. It works on both ends (there's no escalating anger), and perhaps the roads are a better place because of it.
Filed under: North America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
commenter May 7th 2009 11:13PM
Good advise, came too late for this individual in Dubai, UAE.
"Nurse who was jailed and deported after showing middle finger to driver urges expats to obey the law
An Australian nurse who was deported for showing his middle finger to a motorist has warned expats to be extra careful how they behave. “I want people to be aware of the law because I don’t want anyone to go through what my wife and I have been through,” Darren O’Mullane said.
Darren spoke to 7DAYS less than a week after he was deported for showing his middle finger to an Emirati driver on Sheikh Zayed Road. He was deported after spending 24 days in Dubai Central Jail, while his English wife, Marie, had to give up their apartment, cars and family pet and uproot to start a new life in Australia."
Full article at:
http://www.7days.ae/storydetails.php?id=77219%20%20%20%20&page=local%20news&title=Road%20rage%20ruined%20me
Diane May 14th 2009 4:11PM
What a great idea. i am going to file it away and use it the next time I get road rage!