Do you play games with assholes?
This is a pretty inconvenient intersection and the light just turned red.
We're right next to the train tracks, and the problem is that there's only room enough for a few cars to fit between the light and the railroad crossing. It's a four-way intersection and the tracks cut through the lane I'm in.
And I'm on my bike.
There's no crosswalk or bike lane within this precarious stretch of pavement before the traffic light, so I'm sitting there in the middle of the lane getting ready to turn left. The light turns red, I sigh, and come to a stop.
When the car behind me honked, I hadn't expected it. I looked up to check, but the light was still red. Another honk. Now I'm confused. Is the honking directed at me? Sure, the walk sign's on, but I'm not going that way. I'm turning left. So, mentally I'm confirming that I'm accurately following the rules of the road when I hear some guy's voice ringing out from behind me.
Is he... wow.
Yep.
Another honk.
This guy's apparently rolled his window down so he can try to mock me by singing "Bicycle Race" by Queen. I recognize the tone as one of practiced patronization. This is meant as a taunt.
It's 8am on a sunny Saturday, and this person is actively choosing to expend their energy on... what exactly? What is it they're hoping to accomplish here? I don't turn around. I don't even shake my head, but I'm definitely smirking.
It makes no sense to me why someone would spend any amount of energy on something like that. The light turns green. I signal my left turn and, even though I'm met with another honk and some jeering, I'm already looking forward to my coffee and a breakfast sandwich from the place down the street. Maybe a younger version of me would've been goaded into a yelling match, but not today.
My mind's already on my book, and I'm hoping there's an open spot by the window.
Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
237/365
How do you deal with assholes? Do you play their games, or focus on your own?
onward.
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