August 19, 2009; Cafe Zuid, Rijnstraat, Amsterdam @ 18.30
It doesn't happen very often but I had a terrible stressed day and by the evening was about to explode. So instead of taking it out on my better half I just went down to the small bar next to our apartment and had a few cold brews.
Maybe because I was a bit irritable, this fellow attracted my attention when he parked his car in exactly the right way, if you want to make sure no one else can use the space in front of you. See that 1.5 meter of unused space he is walking through? In a neighborhood with already big shortage of parking spaces, this is the kind of anti-social behavior that I can usually ignore but sometimes get peeved at. Not because I am losing a parking spot because I don't even own a car anymore. But there is something upsetting about this egoistic self-centered, what we call anti-social behavior in general that is penetrating our society. And not to generalize or jump to conclusions, but this guy kind of looked like the sort that just doesn't give a f*ck about anyone but himself and his fancy car.After looking at the picture I thought I was making too much of it but then later that night while watching CNN's Situation Room, guess what Jack Cafferty's The Cafferty file was about: "Best way to put the brakes on bad driving?" which is of course another form of self-centered car-related anti-social behavior. So I figured I was not alone in this kind of thing being a pet peeve.
What's your pet peeves when it comes to car or road related anti-social behavior?
Living in the suburbs, I drive a lot (more than I would like but not much choice) so I think I've become somewhat oblivious to anti-social driving behavior and there is this: so much of it, where to start? BUT...on the metro which I do not take as often so the bad behavior I remember more. The worst: when people insist on standing right in the door during rush hour (because they have to get off - what? 5 stops later) thus making it more difficult for others to board and this also: they really mean it when they say the doors are closing and they really mean it when they say they aren't like elevator doors! You get stuck in the door it won't open automatically and the metro person has to manually open the door, thus, delaying everyone, aargh!
Posted by: Cecilia Kalish | 21/08/2009 at 23:14
Hi Cecilia!
You wouldn't believe how many reactions and stories this bit got on FB. Apparently the subject really resonates with everyone. Amazing how much anti-social behavior there is and we were only talking about road and travel related behavior. What's happening to our societies?
Posted by: lennybruce | 23/08/2009 at 11:05