speeder |
08-15-2021 07:50 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by daepp
(Post 11425282)
Did the OP delete a post here?
Anyway, few year back I was driving near my home (I live at in the foothills beneatha 10,000 ft peak) and I was headed downhill and I misjudged a situation and I cut a guy off. He was approaching faster than I realized, and tt was not great as the traffic in front of me was also slowing for a stop light. And I live in the area... So the guy I cut off had to really get on his brakes. It wasn't potentially life threatening, but if it had happened to me I'd have been pissed.
This guy was pissed, layed on his horn but avoided a collision. And as luck would have, he ended up net to me in a right-turn-lane. As he glared at me I rolled down my window, and because I did he got ready to let me have and rolled down his window. Anyway, he started to yell but I cut him off in a loud but unthreatening voice, "Hey man, I'm so sorry - I BLEW IT - that was entirely my fault." Aside from whatever confrontation I might have avoided as well as trying to do the right thing, it was just really interesting to see how disarming my apology and my owning it was to him. I would say he was shocked, surprised, and was practically speechless.
I learned a good lesson that day. Probably should have learned it earlier, but that's my MO now if it happens again.
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That is a great strategy, along with being more observant and avoiding situations like that in the first place. I've really gotten better at remaining calm in traffic, there are always going to be people who are not great drivers and make mistakes, etc., on the road with me. Sometimes what seems like an aggressive move on someone's part is just an example of someone who cannot read or time a situation well and has to take, "Door #1" option when it should have been #2.
I still zip around but no honking and if I have to wait behind someone, I do it without getting angry. If I ever do have words with another motorist or pedestrian, I just tell them that they should be more careful and never in an agro way. Life is a lot smoother. :)
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