I Do Not Understand This Mindset

[mc5aw]

I expect stupid people to do stupid things. Thus, I try to avoid stupid people doing stupid things, or at the very least, ignore them.

I was out with my Little Diva Shooter a few weeks ago, driving her in the convertible to gymnastics class. We were on the highway, mostly empty of traffic, and following a semi in the right lane a sufficient distance back. Cruising at a steady 70mph, I decided to pass the semi, which was chugging along a few mph less. As we rolled by the cab, my Little Diva Shooter looked up at the trucker and was going to give him the "horn request" that all kids love to do. Before she could however, the trucker looked down at us and screamed, "You blanking blank!" I have no idea what his problem was, nor could either of us figure out what we could have done to enrage him so. We kept driving, and had a good, albeit puzzled, laugh about it. Not until we arrived at gymnastics did I realize how different the situation could have been if we had become gridlocked in traffic, or simply gotten off an exit followed by the semi. I am quite certain, based on the aforementioned cretin's behavior, that he would have become physically aggressive if given the slightest window of opportunity. Fortunately, it didn't degenerate into such a confrontation.

There's a lot of rage out there, to go along with the stupidity and insanity. It's a sad reality of the culture we exist in, and as such, it requires the prudent-minded to be cautious and careful and at all turns.

Clint Smith once told my TR class, "I'm not going to get killed over a middle finger." Nor am I.

 

[Protected One]

Recently, in Michigan there were two drivers who got into a road rage incident. Sadly, both had cpl's ...and were carrying. It ended up with them both shot to death.

It's impossible to tell what makes people behave as they do sometime. Some have just had a bad day, and you become their "outlet", others are just ornery as hell and looking for an excuse, and your "perceived" slight is all the excuse they need. Others are simply the devils children. I try to recognize and avoid them all.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I expect stupid people to do stupid things. Thus, I try to avoid stupid people doing stupid things, or at the very least, ignore them.

There's a lot of rage out there, to go along with the stupidity and insanity.

Or at the very least ignore them.

Exactly. Just because some idiot gets all wound up is no reason to respond in kind. A stupid situation doesn't get any better by adding more stupidity to it.

A couple weeks ago there was a news story posted on the Forum about two guys who got in huff on the road. They both pulled over and shot each other.

 

[The Big D]

Smile.

I drove about 20K miles per year...always pleasure...none work. Interstates, urban, and rural. I drive with a smile...and drive defensively. Years of experience have taught me not everyone is a good driver, paying attention, sober, or not a bonehead.

I never throw the 'bird,' yell obscenities, or mock others. Long ago learned to live and let live. Life is too short to allow other folks' issues to adversely affect my life.

That said, if one consistently is 'attacked' by other drivers one should look inward.

Be safe.

 

[AimHigher]

Always good practice to be cautious around anyone that behaves unusually or unpredictably -- especially when they're mobile and away from witnesses and especially in a remote stretch of highway.

You never know what a person is up to or their state of mind. Just pissed-off at the world or just escaped from jail? I think some imbalanced or disturbed people take offense at someone passing them or going faster than they are and I also know that imbalanced and disturbed people have guns.

I would also suggest that if you ever have an encounter that seems to be escalating, fall back and see what the other guy does. If he seems to be interested in continuing the encounter, call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are and what's happening -- just to go on record if nothing else. That call could save you a lot of grief if everything goes to S--t.

 

[thebeamanater107]

I drive over 100,000 miles per year as a semi truck driver. Think about a semi driver when you see one next time. Nobody ever seems to see them. They're like trees, so common and never looked at. I get cut off constantly due to people perceive me as slow. Yes, I'm slower than you, and you can accelerate a lot better than me, so why not wait an extra 5 seconds before merging in front of me so your rear bumper isn't rubbing my front?

Then there's new jersey drivers. They'll just turn and merge like they're the only ones on the highway. I slammed on my brakes 12-15 times per hour to keep from killing them. They trust random strangers with their lives while showing that middle finger and leaning on the horn...

You know how to drive safely and defensively. It's been taught before. You've heard a thousand times about following distance, blinkers, speed limits, and all that. So... they drive crazy on purpose?

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[speedyquad]

to the OP's point of people not realizing that others may be carrying a concealed weapon, i never really thought about it until i decided to carry myself. But i find myself saying to my wife a lot when someone does something stupid-"don't they realize i could shoot them?" not that i would, but that they are creating a situation that given the right circumstances could escalate to something very bad.

case in point, i live in PA and we were pulling into a parking lot of a Walmart much larger than the local one. As we were waiting for a car to pull out of a spot close to the doors(not a necessity to us as i usually park farther away). a lady and her teen son, he was driving cut us off and took the spot...as they pulled into the spot, forcing us to wait as they drove by, the lady flipped us off. my wife and i just laughed. We parked about 10 cars past them on the other said of the same row. as they got to the store front, both turned and flipped us off yet again. the son then wiped his eyes like he was crying. again, we both laughed. We ran into them again inside, and for the third time, received the friendly middle finger hello. After they walked away, i whispered to my wife, "they must not realize i have a gun".

with all the people going bat crazy for no reason any more, it would be a good idea for everybody to avoid trying to one up anyone else...after all they could just shoot them...even in "non-carry" states

 

[Doug M.]

Shouldazagged, I have both stopped (warned) and ticketed people driving like your sister. It's the only thing they understand. You are right to admonish her. There is no excuse for that stuff, and it does annoy the heck out of me. If she won't stop that, don't be in the car with her. Putting aside the response of some idiot who she annoys - it is a significant traffic safety hazard.

I've also had people do some of the other behaviors described here to me while driving a fully marked squad car, and then wonder why they got stopped. You bust a stop sign and nearly hit me, or cut me off and make me dynamite the brakes, or tailgate me, and wonder why you got a ticket? Really? Failed to yield to the ambulance or fire truck that I pulled over for? Here's my autographed certificate of "guess what, dummy?". (And no, I was not dumb enough to say that. Out loud. )

In my own car - I get away from them. If I have the slightest impression that they are drunk, drugged, or deranged, I have 3 WSP districts programmed into my phone, and I waste NO TIME in calling in the erratic driver. I work very hard to avoid people that annoy me. Not hard enough, some times. I have gotten less tolerant of stupid people, including those who could bring out the stupid in me, and so I work harder to avoid most of them.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I give up the right to do anything that may escalate any situation I’m in.

Remember the Heinlein quote, "An armed society is a polite society"

 

[cbr600f3]

Please go back and reread my OP. Please pay special attention to the bolded line in red




You'd think but actually no. Google "Vern Smalley, Colorado Springs"

Sorry was not implying you would pull your gun. And do to laziness i am not going to google one case when im sure i can find other cases to the contrary.

 

[Donn]

While idiotic behavior's been on the rise lately, there's always been something about cars that turn normally rational people into fire breathing, territorial jerks. If you carry, everything changes. Hard as it is, you've got to let it go. I believe the wheel comes around. Knuckleheads like this get what's coming to them at some point, either from the police, or from someone who's a bigger jerk than they are. In the meantime, if I were you Smoke, I'd take a different route to work if at all possible.

 

[shouldazagged]

Shouldazagged, I have both stopped (warned) and ticketed people driving like your sister. It's the only thing they understand. You are right to admonish her. There is no excuse for that stuff, and it does annoy the heck out of me. If she won't stop that, don't be in the car with her. Putting aside the response of some idiot who she annoys - it is a significant traffic safety hazard.

Have no fear, I haven't ridden with her in at least three years and won't anymore, but I know she still does it. I have no idea why--she is easily the most intelligent person I know.

(For those who don't read back more than a few posts on the thread, she steadfastly drives below the speed limit in the fast lane on interstate highways. If people get upset about it, she shrugs and says it's their problem.)

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

What goes around,comes around. You bet! A lady was doing 10-20 MPH on a country road about 5 miles from my house. when it was safe to pass I started to, she sped up to about 80 and laughed. I had to let it go. I had forgot about the incident, when 2 weeks later, at a intersection by work, there she was, her little blue car smashed into the side of a transit bus... that she passed while the bus was turning left. The police officer that did the paper work did security for our company, I ask him if she was at fault. Yes was the first answer, Then his face got red as he said, after the accident she assaulted thee bus driver and spit at him. She took a trip to the lock up. I felt so much better. Ivan

 

[Smoke]

Speaking of good timing, I was on my way into work this morning (in the car) driving on the inside lane doing about 5MPH over the limit and coming up to a left turn lane.
The guy behind me passes me on the right and then whips back across both lanes to get into the turn lane and turn left at the light. To be clear he could have just as easily merged left into the turn lane and turn but he apparently wanted to send me a message.

I pulled up right next to him at the light and he sat there glaring at me until the light turned green.

Still not sure what I did

 

[arjay]

Had one on a dirt road a while back so determined not to let me pass that on my 2nd attempt he tried to force me off the road...I figure his life must be pathetic.

 

[Rick_A]

Try riding a motorcycle. As Rodney Dangerfield would say, "no respect."

The wife has followed me around at times and gets pretty shocked at the lack of care/concern motorists have for bikes. I used to get bent out of shape when I first started riding over a decade ago. Now I just get past and keep on. I'm over it in all of the couple seconds it takes to get some safe distance from the offender.

 

[Ransom]

Have no fear, I haven't ridden with her in at least three years and won't anymore, but I know she still does it. I have no idea why--she is easily the most intelligent person I know.

(For those who don't read back more than a few posts on the thread, she steadfastly drives below the speed limit in the fast lane on interstate highways. If people get upset about it, she shrugs and says it's their problem.)

She may be intelligent but the saying applies: stupid is as stupid does. Hope nothing really bad happens to her, but getting a ticket would be good for her.

 

[Rick_A]

My favorite crazy person was a lady that blatantly cuts me off and nearly runs me over making a turn into my left turn lane from the non-turning lane. Just letting off some steam I wheelie past her with my finger extended. She goes from acting oblivious to my existence to behaving like a deranged caged rabid animal. She became all teeth and snarls...waiving her head around wildly while screaming "I'm gonna kill you!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Wrong thing to do all around, but I still find it amusing. To this day the thought of her crazed bobblehead makes me chuckle.

Less funny was a guy in a 5.0 Stang that wouldn't let me pass and threatened to run me over while I had a seven year old kid on the back. That guy had some major problems. You gotta wonder how some people make it through life.

 

[Smoke]

Try riding a motorcycle. As Rodney Dangerfield would say, "no respect."

Try riding a mountain bike

 

[tlay]

We all as concealed gun carriers have to remember that if we allow ourselves to be bullied into a fight that we are bringing a gun to it. This is why Zimmerman was charged in the first place and ended up spending his money to defend it. Don't let someone push your buttons and back you into a corner. Be man or woman enough to walk away.
If you cannot control your temper, don't carry. If you like to drink at a bar, don't carry. If for any reason you feel that walking away from a confrontation will make you look like a lesser man, don't carry.
I had one of our forum members call me a name because I recommended the same thing I told here. Let the name calling start. After all it is just words. But if I felt that my life or my families life was in jeopardy that is a different story.