Carpool Melodrama

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by look 171

Is carpooling mandatory by the company or voluntary, milage pay? I don't have a corp. job, so I don't know. If its voluntary, I would fly off the handle if some bumpy old dude is btiching about everything and I am giving them a ride.

Slightly better parking, shared ride, that's about it.

Ride in today was nice and quiet, except for a bit of exhaust drone. Amazon had all the parts and I'll have them by Friday. He can finish out the week so long as he behaves, but after that we will be through. My new pool starts on the 19th, so that isn't a big deal.

Had he wanted to discuss it, I would have been much more amenable to his views. He showed his lack of good judgement in how he chose to speak to me. Some of you guys are really rich though. I'd be interested to see how you handle being dressed down by another person in your own vehicle.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I would go home and gorge myself on dark beer, hard boiled eggs and beans. Pick him up for work in the AM, activate the "window lock" feature and pass gas all the way to work. But then again, I can be pretty juvenile.

I'm not going out of my way to be difficult for the rest of the week. I said my piece and I made my choices. I'll be civil so long as he reciprocates. I promise, I'm a pretty easy guy to get along with.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

An end to this story (I hope.) I drove back to the park and ride, and after I turned off the freeway, I said "Well fellas, what's it going to be? Am I picking you guys up tomorrow or driving myself?"

Ron replied that he thinks we got off on the wrong foot and part of it was maybe his fault (guess that's his idea of an apology) and that we was willing to let it go and start over.

I politely told him that I had made other plans (which are not as convenient but better than driving myself every day) and that I would finish my week driving provided he could keep a civil tongue. Hopefully the week ends without incident, because I will pull off at the next available exit if he can't hold it together for three days.

I think you made the right choice. Sounds like Ron is self centered and demanding. You don't need to be tense every morning wondering what he'll do next. Sooner or later that same set of personal problems will show up again and you'll have to deal with it. Better to cut your loses and move on. Besides, right now you can take the high road and say "gee Ron, I really wish I could continue with you but I made a promise to the other person..." Later on you'll be accused of letting him think all was O.K. and then leaving him high and dry.

[TimT]

Some of you guys are really rich though. I'd be interested to see how you handle being dressed down by another person in your own vehicle.

I wasn't the driver, however a coworker of mine was... We were returning to LI from NYC after an extended day working on the rehab of the Manhattan Bridge in the oppressive heat of mid August.. (Note that the three of us in the carpool were hired within a few days of each other)

The driver, and the guy in the front passenger seat started having words about something... I'm not sure what...girlfriend... wife... something stupid... I was trying to sleep in the back...

All of a sudden the car stops.... The two guys in the front seats get out of the car.... and started having a fist fight...

This was on the BQE over the Kosciusko Bridge heading back to LI

The driver basically knocked out the verbal abuser, and left him on the bridge...

Needless to say it was a very interesting day when we got to work the next day...

This happened in the early 80's and started my aversion to car pooling...

I associate letting someone carpool with me as I would inviting someone into my house....If you come in and complain and gripe.... see ya!!

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Conversation didn't go like that. That would have been a reasonable adult conversation. Which is not what happened today.

Ron just got back from a ten day vacation.

LED: Hi Ron how was your vacation?

Ron: I can't believe that you haven't gotten this expletive fixed yet. (Voice gets louder) We provide a quiet car for YOU to ride in, it doesn't cost that much to just take it in a have it fixed. (Voice gets louder) Thomas is just too nice to say anything about it to you. I don't understand why you even bother turning the radio on, between that and the exhaust you can't hear a thing anyway.

LED: You're kidding right?

Ron: No I'm not kidding, it's inconsiderate. I can't believe how inconsiderate you are.

End Conversation

I've paraphrased, and I'm sure I didn't get everything in there that he said but that is a basically true accounting of the conversation. Sorry, he doesn't get a second chance, and I'm sure as hell not kowtowing to him.

I'm an older guy. Loud noises can really bother my ears. They are sensitive. Some people don't know how to express that well.

A lot of people have to deal with much higher level problems than this on a daily basis . To me, this would be hardly worth dwelling upon. In the great scheme of things, the guy is relatively harmless.

Men are a lot like Stallions when they are young. They are fast and impetuous and high strung. As they mature, they become like oxen, capable of doing great work, and carrying heavy loads. BUT, when they get old, they become like old dogs. They lose interest in many things, bark and snarl at what is unfamiliar, and only have affection for those that bring them comfort.

If you are courteous to older men they will frequently come around, and you will have a friend for life. Seek justice, but be fair. Holding grudges gains you nothing, and makes your world that much smaller.

[scottmandue]

I am appalled at your lack of ingenuity... you should have hired a local gentleman to escort you to work on his duel purpose motorbike! Thus drawing attention to his bikes loud exhaust and away from your own.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

I'm not going out of my way to be difficult for the rest of the week. I said my piece and I made my choices. I'll be civil so long as he reciprocates. I promise, I'm a pretty easy guy to get along with.

Goof for you, I would have done the same thing.

Let me get this straight. You pick up a bunch of people on your way to work. Take them home with no help in gas money (not that I would ever ask). Does everyone take turns in the car during the month? If not, I would tell them politely, "Go Get Fook".

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

They lose interest in many things, bark and snarl at what is unfamiliar, and only have affection for those that bring them comfort.
If you are courteous to older men they will frequently come around...

Like I said:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

I think you made the right choice. Sounds like Ron is self centered and demanding. You don't need to be tense every morning wondering what he'll do next...

Why should he have deal with a barking, snarling self-centers child? Be nice so he will stick around and bark at you every time you do something he doesn't like? Naw. Life is too short to deal with people like that. The commute should be comfortable and restful. Not wondering what will make Ron bark and snarl again.

[wayner]

I agree that having to deal with some blowhard falls under the category of "life is too short."