Friday, June 09, 2006
Old Farts and Young Punks: Compare and Contrast
I had to pop into the supermarket the other day and followed a car into the parking aisle. When the car saw a spot open it *slowly* turned into the space. This was my first indication of the age of the driver. I wasn't in any hurry, so I patiently waited for the guy to caaaaaarefuly inch his big car into the space without hitting the car in the next spot, which was also exiting. Once he realized he didn't have enough room to clear the next car, he abruptly slammed the brakes. Then I watched the ensuing 20 second comedy of errors where the first guy and the second guy couldn't decide who should move first.
Meanwhile, I hear a very audible, "FUCK!", coming from the car that screeched to a halt behind me. This being a college town, it was two college-aged guys trying to exit the lot and not having the time to wait. A few long blasts of their sport compact car punctuated their displeasure at the pace of life at that point in time. A few more seconds was all they could take and they jammed it in reverse to try an alternate route. I guess there was beer to be drunk and they were late for passing out and getting written on with permanent markers.
As it happens in cases like these, the minute the frat boys beat their hasty retreat, the 2 other guys came to an agreement and were able to continue on their way. I took my spot and got out of the car in time to see the hot-heads get stopped in the next aisle in much the same situation.
I'm sure there is a lesson to be learned there.
Meanwhile, I hear a very audible, "FUCK!", coming from the car that screeched to a halt behind me. This being a college town, it was two college-aged guys trying to exit the lot and not having the time to wait. A few long blasts of their sport compact car punctuated their displeasure at the pace of life at that point in time. A few more seconds was all they could take and they jammed it in reverse to try an alternate route. I guess there was beer to be drunk and they were late for passing out and getting written on with permanent markers.
As it happens in cases like these, the minute the frat boys beat their hasty retreat, the 2 other guys came to an agreement and were able to continue on their way. I took my spot and got out of the car in time to see the hot-heads get stopped in the next aisle in much the same situation.
I'm sure there is a lesson to be learned there.
