Comments on: A plea for niceness http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/ Sacramento News, Gossip & Snark Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:40:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Turty Squip http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18908 Turty Squip Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:19:32 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18908 Seen on bumper sticker: "Visualize world peace, or I'll shoot you in the face mother-f*cker" Pretty much sums it all up, in a nice haiku style. Seen on bumper sticker:
“Visualize world peace,
or I’ll shoot you in the
face mother-f*cker”

Pretty much sums it all up, in a nice haiku style.

]]> By: stickie http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18834 stickie Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:41:27 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18834 It doesn't help that, in Midtown, cars have to pull through the crosswalks and into the middle of the street to see if there is any oncoming traffic. If the street the driver is crossing is a one-way, most drivers don't check both ways for oncoming pedestrians, puppies or crippled old ladies. It doesn’t help that, in Midtown, cars have to pull through the crosswalks and into the middle of the street to see if there is any oncoming traffic. If the street the driver is crossing is a one-way, most drivers don’t check both ways for oncoming pedestrians, puppies or crippled old ladies.

]]> By: TalkingPocket http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18816 TalkingPocket Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:50:03 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18816 after thinking about it i think the rudest thing i've come across in sac are leaf blowers. i hate them. everyday there is at least 4 or five guys with these things blowing dust and street debris...and some leaves...all over the place. when i walk with my son we have to dodge many. does anyone think like me in that they see a rise in allergy rates as well as a rise in the use of these things? they make everyday feel like a windy day. after thinking about it i think the rudest thing i’ve come across in sac are leaf blowers. i hate them. everyday there is at least 4 or five guys with these things blowing dust and street debris…and some leaves…all over the place. when i walk with my son we have to dodge many. does anyone think like me in that they see a rise in allergy rates as well as a rise in the use of these things? they make everyday feel like a windy day.

]]> By: RonTopofIt http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18763 RonTopofIt Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:54:59 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18763 That's a great one, CoolDMZ. Pedestrians in general are just an after thought in our society. They have the right of way on paper in all situations and yet garner very little attention on the streets. The four way stop scenario is really tons o'fun. We all learned growing up that the first person to the stop sign has the right of way, correct? And if it is a tie, the person to your right assumes the right of way, correct? What if you are GOING to be the first person to the stop sign but can sense the standoff approaching and purposely slow down to let the other car get there first? Who has the right of way in that situation? Think it's a no brainer? Try it. You'll be amazed how the anticipated outcome trumps the actual outcome and you'll wind up with a standoff for the ages. Oh man, I hope pointfinder is out on assignment cause this one could really get me into hot water... That’s a great one, CoolDMZ. Pedestrians in general are just an after thought in our society. They have the right of way on paper in all situations and yet garner very little attention on the streets.

The four way stop scenario is really tons o’fun. We all learned growing up that the first person to the stop sign has the right of way, correct? And if it is a tie, the person to your right assumes the right of way, correct?

What if you are GOING to be the first person to the stop sign but can sense the standoff approaching and purposely slow down to let the other car get there first? Who has the right of way in that situation? Think it’s a no brainer? Try it. You’ll be amazed how the anticipated outcome trumps the actual outcome and you’ll wind up with a standoff for the ages.

Oh man, I hope pointfinder is out on assignment cause this one could really get me into hot water…

]]> By: CoolDMZ http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18756 CoolDMZ Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:06:29 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18756 Another big problem I have encountered is right-of-way in crosswalks with drivers making turns. I often have to cross a busy intersection in Natomas to get from the widget factor to the bus stop. I wish I had a nickel for every time I've been standing at a red light, next to a person who is waiting to turn in front of me, thinking 'I just know this person is going to gun it when the light changes' and sure enough, that happens. This happened approximatey 80% of applicable situations at my former widget factory too. Do I cause it to happen by thinking it? Am I responsible for all this recklessness? I must be stopped!! Another big problem I have encountered is right-of-way in crosswalks with drivers making turns. I often have to cross a busy intersection in Natomas to get from the widget factor to the bus stop. I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve been standing at a red light, next to a person who is waiting to turn in front of me, thinking ‘I just know this person is going to gun it when the light changes’ and sure enough, that happens. This happened approximatey 80% of applicable situations at my former widget factory too. Do I cause it to happen by thinking it? Am I responsible for all this recklessness? I must be stopped!!

]]> By: pointfinder http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18748 pointfinder Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:20:19 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18748 I, pointfinder, hereby invoke my executive privilege as Commander in Chief Finder of Points and allow this slightly off topic commentary. I, pointfinder, hereby invoke my executive privilege as Commander in Chief Finder of Points and allow this slightly off topic commentary.

]]> By: RunnerGirl http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18744 RunnerGirl Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:48:08 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18744 When a bicyclist hit me while I was stopped in an intersection (in my vehicle), he actually said, "Oh, sorry! I was weaving in and out of traffic and didn't see you!" So, luckily it was just an idiot encounter for me & not some rude person. Last week when I was using the P Street offramp, one of those medical transport vans was in the lane to my left and started crossing over the line into my lane. I slammed on my brakes and honked while the driver straddled both lanes. I pulled up next to the van at the red light. The driver's passenger window was down, so I rolled down my window and said nicely, "Sorry to honk, but you completely cut me off and were in both lanes!" He said, "Well, I'm just in one now, right?" I then thought for a second and responded back, "Hey, I know you have a really tough job," and he smiled and said, "Thanks..I'm sorry for cutting you off." Cue "Kum Bay Yah" AAANNND scene. So, pointfinder, those were both instances that could have resulted in rudeness but did not, so go ahead and call me on it. I just wanted to share two could-have-been-rude stories that didn't turn out too badly. :) When a bicyclist hit me while I was stopped in an intersection (in my vehicle), he actually said, “Oh, sorry! I was weaving in and out of traffic and didn’t see you!” So, luckily it was just an idiot encounter for me & not some rude person.

Last week when I was using the P Street offramp, one of those medical transport vans was in the lane to my left and started crossing over the line into my lane. I slammed on my brakes and honked while the driver straddled both lanes. I pulled up next to the van at the red light. The driver’s passenger window was down, so I rolled down my window and said nicely, “Sorry to honk, but you completely cut me off and were in both lanes!” He said, “Well, I’m just in one now, right?” I then thought for a second and responded back, “Hey, I know you have a really tough job,” and he smiled and said, “Thanks..I’m sorry for cutting you off.”

Cue “Kum Bay Yah”

AAANNND scene.

So, pointfinder, those were both instances that could have resulted in rudeness but did not, so go ahead and call me on it. I just wanted to share two could-have-been-rude stories that didn’t turn out too badly. :)

]]> By: CoolDMZ http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18742 CoolDMZ Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:37:55 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18742 inattentive driving is reckless, don'tcha think? inattentive driving is reckless, don’tcha think?

]]> By: wburg http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18738 wburg Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:58:55 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18738 That article seems a little silly, considering that other major cities in California scored *worse* than Sacramento, and the survey was only of Allstate customers, about 6% of Sacramento's driving population. I'm also not sure how accidents correspond with rudeness: I have been involved with two vehicular accidents, and in both cases the people involved were quite cordial--the accidents were the result of inattention, not disrespectful behavior. I mean, we all see rudeness happen, but connecting these two is kind of a non sequitur. That article seems a little silly, considering that other major cities in California scored *worse* than Sacramento, and the survey was only of Allstate customers, about 6% of Sacramento’s driving population. I’m also not sure how accidents correspond with rudeness: I have been involved with two vehicular accidents, and in both cases the people involved were quite cordial–the accidents were the result of inattention, not disrespectful behavior. I mean, we all see rudeness happen, but connecting these two is kind of a non sequitur.

]]> By: HeyMeg http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18734 HeyMeg Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:29:48 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18734 I totally agree TP! I am so amazed when I see cyclists swerving about without a care in the world, not even slowing down to see where the traffic may be. I also drive plenty and it's so annoying when you can't pass a cyclist because you can't tell what his/her next move will be. So yes, it's true there are plenty of rude cyclists as well. As for the story about your wife, I don't even know what to say. That is appalling. I can't spell appalling, which is less appalling but still pretty disgraceful. I totally agree TP! I am so amazed when I see cyclists swerving about without a care in the world, not even slowing down to see where the traffic may be. I also drive plenty and it’s so annoying when you can’t pass a cyclist because you can’t tell what his/her next move will be. So yes, it’s true there are plenty of rude cyclists as well. As for the story about your wife, I don’t even know what to say. That is appalling. I can’t spell appalling, which is less appalling but still pretty disgraceful.

]]> By: TalkingPocket http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18729 TalkingPocket Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:02:58 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18729 heymeg: i know drivers are a huge problems for bikers...but you'd have to admit that a lot of bikers don't know how to use bike lanes either. i get a lot of "swervers" that come out into the car lane for no reason. we all could learn a little more about them...and drivers and bikers could try a little harder to get along. maybe not roll your (the royal your...not meg in particular) eyes everytime i say i own a car....'cause i also own a bike that doen't gather dust if you know what i mean. heymeg: i know drivers are a huge problems for bikers…but you’d have to admit that a lot of bikers don’t know how to use bike lanes either. i get a lot of “swervers” that come out into the car lane for no reason. we all could learn a little more about them…and drivers and bikers could try a little harder to get along. maybe not roll your (the royal your…not meg in particular) eyes everytime i say i own a car….’cause i also own a bike that doen’t gather dust if you know what i mean.

]]> By: TalkingPocket http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18728 TalkingPocket Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:58:24 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18728 to tell my story more clearly: my wife and i were at the blue lamp on saturday night. the women's bathroom was full of make-up putter-onners so my wife did the thing all the ladies should have no problem doing, she used the mens. while this was going on a friend of mine watched the door as to not let anyone in so the now 2 women could use tha bathroom real quick. when my wife comes out she apologizes for taking the minute and that's when the guy says to her "i'd expect that from a whore like you." we both have never met this drunk man but i assure you, my car will veer his direction if it ever gets the chance...no no wait...that's rude. to tell my story more clearly: my wife and i were at the blue lamp on saturday night. the women’s bathroom was full of make-up putter-onners so my wife did the thing all the ladies should have no problem doing, she used the mens. while this was going on a friend of mine watched the door as to not let anyone in so the now 2 women could use tha bathroom real quick. when my wife comes out she apologizes for taking the minute and that’s when the guy says to her “i’d expect that from a whore like you.” we both have never met this drunk man but i assure you, my car will veer his direction if it ever gets the chance…no no wait…that’s rude.

]]> By: HeyMeg http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18727 HeyMeg Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:52:15 +0000 http://sacrag.com/2007/07/a-plea-for-niceness/#comment-18727 Drivers are often rude to me on when I'm on my bike. For example, more than once I've been cut off by a driver who doesn't understand how bike lanes work, and then flipped off by said driver as if it was incredibly rude of me to be in his way in the lane designated for my bike. But I don't get mad because I realize that said flipper-offer wouldn't be driving such a big SUV and talking on the cell phone if he wasn't a very very important person headed somewhere very very important, so the least I can do is let him nearly run me over in the process. Drivers are often rude to me on when I’m on my bike. For example, more than once I’ve been cut off by a driver who doesn’t understand how bike lanes work, and then flipped off by said driver as if it was incredibly rude of me to be in his way in the lane designated for my bike. But I don’t get mad because I realize that said flipper-offer wouldn’t be driving such a big SUV and talking on the cell phone if he wasn’t a very very important person headed somewhere very very important, so the least I can do is let him nearly run me over in the process.

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