Three run-ins with idiots this weekend reminded me that our area has a real rudeness problem. I was asleep at the wheel earlier this summer when news arrived that area drivers are some of the worst in the country and I think our stupid and reckless driving can spill over into stupid and rude encounters. I was having trouble formulating this until I read TalkingPocket’s comment.
My favorite (i.e. least favorite) kind of rude idiot is the kind who is rude while in the giving or accepting of a favor. They come in two varieties: the rude favor acceptor and the rude favor giver. The rude favor acceptor usually comes in the form of a pedestrian who waves you on when you pull up to a Stop sign (usually clearly marked for cars with a red Octagonal sign). Dude, guy, buddy, I’m tryin to throw you a bone here.
The rude favor giver comes in two varieties. My wife encountered the vehicular subset outside CostCo on Sunday, and this one must have been the Queen of the hive or something, because she was asleep at the wheel in the parking lot, and had to abruptly brake for my wife and daughter in a crosswalk. She then gave an annoyed finger-wave to tell my wife to go ahead and cross.
This weekend I had 2 run-ins with the non-vehicular variety of rude favor giver, the “annoyed door holder.” ADH#1 was entering a restaurant ahead of his wife and kids, so I hung back with mine as he opened the door, assuming he was probably opening it for his wife who I’m sure he adores. “Go ahead!” he practically yells at me, “I’m not holding it for us!!” Yikes. Good luck with aaall that, adored wife.
The other “ADH” encounter happened at CostCo (at this point I know what most of you are going to say…who do we expect to deal with at CostCo, happy shiny considerate people who just happen to be loading up on crates of crap to stuff in their Tahoes?). This woman opened the door to the cooler I had been waiting for while she picked from the cooler next door — apparently she thought she was going to be next by virtue of thinking she was next. My wife saw her giving the eye roll to her husband while I checked for brokens.
How about you, Sacramento? What sorts of rude behavior are you falling victim to most often?
The Sac Rag 
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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inattentive driving is reckless, don’tcha think?
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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. 🙂
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I, pointfinder, hereby invoke my executive privilege as Commander in Chief Finder of Points and allow this slightly off topic commentary.
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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!!
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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