See... why should i care if you just purchased it and that it is absolutely flawless, is your symbol of achievement and your source of joy however large or small. Why should i care that you stood there staring at it for 5 minutes before you finally headed off. It is convenient for me to open the door of my car as wide and push it as forcefully as it takes to make sure it does not come back and make me spend my energy pushing it out again. It is convenient for me to hold that door open with my foot or just have it rest against whatever it is that it could rest on. Its is all about me you see, about what i need. I've earned it, i work, i do what i have to do, i have rights.
What was that? Did i hit your car? What's the big deal? My bumper is scraped front and back, it's just a damned car, it smells funky inside, well mine does, and i have to waste money fueling it up but it takes me here and there. Don't sweat it man, it still works, it's not like i rammed into you or something, no harm, right? What's that? You like to take care of your cars? You just bought this one? What does something like that run ya? $500/month? I would never pay that money, i just don't think spending that kind of money on a car is worth it.
"I" is the 9th letter in the alphabet yet I think it is never a bad time to start sentences with it. I am comfortable with "I" being number one.
Is that the thinking process here?
So let me get this straight, it is perfectly OK for me to pick my nose and wipe it on your suit while i am standing behind you in the elevator, right? No big deal, suit still works, right? What was i gonna do, wipe it on my pants? Oh, one is an accident and the other one is deliberate? Oh, i see what you are saying.
How about this... i really don't give a shit what day you are having because i am having a really bad one so i am not paying attention to anything as i march down the street. I completely do not notice the fact that i just walk right into you, making you spill your $7 styrofoam cup of hot mojo on your Polo as well as your Dockers. I honestly did not notice you standing there, little man. That will wash right out, no harm, right? I'll just keep on walking, no apology necessary, it's all good, all part of the daily thing, just a minor accident, right?
How about that for an analogy? Work our for you buddy?
So why am i bringing up the subject of door dings? Well, i just happened to be standing on my balcony, having a smokie treat (aka cancer stick, most commonly known as cigarette) with a glass of fine scotch, admiring the shine of a brand new Honda Accord just purchased by some tenant in our building when i see a guy come out of the back door (leading right to the parking area) head on to his Chrysler Pacifica minivan (or a crossover or SAV or whatever marketing spin is put on these things these days) parked next to the gleaming new Honda, open the driver's door and... wings it all the way out, slamming it against the brand new Accord. The guy actually makes sure his door is securely resting against the other man's vehicle before getting in. As he gets in (and he probably weighs over 200lb) his Pacifica settles ensuring that in addition to the ding there is now a vertical scratch as well. The guys gets comfortable behind the wheel, lets the car idle for 30 seconds and when he is completely satisfied with his aircon blowing out cool air, reaches out and closes his door. Hey neighbor, nice Accord you got there buddy, here is a little something from me to you - your very first beauty mark. Enjoy.
Did i mention that black paint, in addition to accenting all of the curves and details of a car also brings out every single imperfection and/or rash/damage? Yep, now you know it. Trust me, i've owned a black car years ago and in fact my current car (well, one of my current cars), an '08 Nissan 350Z is also black (on black). I know. Lucky me though, my Z sits in the underground garage where every parking space is permanently assigned so everyone knows everyone and chances of your car being hit are slim to none... people seem to act more civilized and show more respect for other people
I had to go through a mandatory sexual harassment training session not long ago, there is this law... to make a long story short, if you are a manager, director, VP, etc. you have to have these things every whatever years, so anyway... The only thing that you really take out of these meetings (and the fact that people actually need to go through training to understand this is really scary) is that what matters is how the other person perceives it. In other words be mindful of what your words or actions mean to the people around you. It is all in the eye of the beholder so to speak. So why the fuck don't they teach the same thing in driver's ed? Why don't they make people sign something when they register their car at the DMV, something that states "I have read and understand" with a very clear explanation (with pictures for idiots) of what might be perceived as negative in terms of how you treat other people's vehicles?
Wait... did i really suggest that last bit? Do we really need to go through "respect the fellow human being" training? Wow, the world is in worse shape than i thought.
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