You are RUDE!

Yes! That's what most drivers & riders are today, especially on Bangalore roads. I some how cannot reason the purpose of being rude to a fellow commuter. And when I say rude, I am not only pointing out about the incessant honking that annoys the heck out of anyone, but also the glares, finger flicking, verbal abuses that they we let loose like a stream of water. And even water is precious these days.

I must confess though that I have been in the same situations many a time and have reacted just as strongly as the rest of them on the road. However, I am trying to cut back on the swearing and finger pointing, etc because i realised that at the end of the day I don't feel too good about it all. In fact, it just makes me more miserable and adds to the misery that I may have suffered at the office or the tiff I have had with the wife.

There have been many a time, when I would have let loose a volley of the choicest & filthiest abuses that I would dare not want my parents or others to hear from my mouth. But the minute, I am all alone driving by myself, I tend to loose control completely. Not a good sign, is it?

Blaming others for rash & negligent driving, cursing the fates, the government for poor infrastructure or the pathetic planning commission is no way to pass the blame or justify your anger.

There have been several instances where I have seen drivers of autorickshaws & private cabs come to blows. And I have watched with a lot of amusement the fist fights that have resulted in bloodied noses and cuts & bruises. And then laughed it off by commenting how these lowly classes have no better way to resolve a conflict and are hell bent on passing the buck. (But take one look at the Indo-Pak situation and pray tell me - Why are these grown up, educated in the finest institutions, matured, cuturally honourable men unable to "TALK" and resolve the situation?)

But coming back to what can I do to put myself at peace while driving to work every morning and back home in the evening? It seems like there is only one way to mend my ways - Listen to some good music along the way and hum along or sing along. It puts you in a better mood and you stop caring about how the other person is driving or honking / hooting/ hollering - basically making a Jackass of himself / herself.

Amen!