So, I'm heading out of AP exams and the whole place is congested beyond belief (with traffic). A couple hundred students all just exited the same building at the same time and inevitably there is a huge cluster-fuck of cars out in the parking lot. Attempting to exit this massive jam, I am constantly giving the right of way and accepting it from other drivers. That experience brought to light something that I had never really thought about or really had to deal with much before. That thing, or rather action, is the act of motioning to other drivers. Whether it be giving them the right of way or... okay that's the only one I can think of but it's also by far the most common. What I had never realized was how much of a dick I looked like giving people the right of way. It could have been because I was restless but people kept on giving me this look like "SORRY SORRY SORRY, I'll get out of your way!!" or "Oh, thank you Lord Heskje for allowing me to pass by your highness." I really felt awful, but I didn't even mean to give off such a negative vibe!
Maybe I can explain what I was doing. So, when I imagine giving someone the right of way, I think of it as you kind of scooting them along like "there ya go, bud. Keeeeeep goin'." So I lift up my hand and do just a couple short, staccato movements like I'm nudging them, you know? That's something that I don't think anybody has a problem with but where I believe my problem lies is at the point that my facial expression doesn't change. I can do the nicest gesture in the world but with that plain Jane, monotone expression (what I imagine myself having while I drive because driving is no trip *pun intended*) it'll come off real snotty.
I think that for future reference, if I can remember to change my expression, I'll be golden. Although, with this new addition, there will be a probational period and some experimentation so that I can see which face will work the best and give off the attitude and persona that I would like. You see, if I smile too much it looks like I'm trying too hard and I'll end up with a situation more awkward than when I was straight faced where as the straight face look pisses people off. Somewhere in the middle, with a little smile and a touch of urgency, I believe that my future driver to driver encounters will vastly improve.
Maybe I can explain what I was doing. So, when I imagine giving someone the right of way, I think of it as you kind of scooting them along like "there ya go, bud. Keeeeeep goin'." So I lift up my hand and do just a couple short, staccato movements like I'm nudging them, you know? That's something that I don't think anybody has a problem with but where I believe my problem lies is at the point that my facial expression doesn't change. I can do the nicest gesture in the world but with that plain Jane, monotone expression (what I imagine myself having while I drive because driving is no trip *pun intended*) it'll come off real snotty.
I think that for future reference, if I can remember to change my expression, I'll be golden. Although, with this new addition, there will be a probational period and some experimentation so that I can see which face will work the best and give off the attitude and persona that I would like. You see, if I smile too much it looks like I'm trying too hard and I'll end up with a situation more awkward than when I was straight faced where as the straight face look pisses people off. Somewhere in the middle, with a little smile and a touch of urgency, I believe that my future driver to driver encounters will vastly improve.
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