Assorted Ravings of the Slightly-Weird

Rearview Perspective

I can't remember if I've blogged about this before but I'm too lazy to search and I certainly can't think of anything else to write about.

90% of the time when I drive, I'm alone. That's fine by me, but it does mean that at traffic lights I'm constantly looking around and in the rearview mirror, just to see what other people are up to.

It's funny how people seem to think that within the confines of a car, they are in their own private world. Sure, we can't hear what you're saying and we can't see much of what you're doing but we can see enough. The windows are made of glass after all!

Sometimes I get to see funny stuff, like people singing along to the radio - it's funny to see them singing animatedly when they think no one else is looking. Some throw in hand gestures, some really belt out the tunes. In the mornings driving to work, I often see women putting on makeup while the lights are red, which can be a real timesaver. I've done it once or twice myself, but I've never curled my lashes while driving; this I've actually witnessed. And of course, there are the ones who pick their nose, some more energetically than others.

Other times, I see couples quarrelling or people arguing. I can spot it a mile off. The wooden faces, staring either straight ahead or to the side, never at each other. The angry expression when one party talks, followed either by long silences or by quick rebuttals. The righteous look of the accusee, the bewildered/defensive/angry look of the accused. The defensive body language where arms are folded over each other and hugged close to the body. The tears.

Everytime I see this, I wonder what they are arguing about. I know I shouldn't look but it's almost like how people slow down to look at car wrecks. I'm not being a busybody and I certainly don't want to be in on their personal tragedies but I just wonder how big an issue it is for them to look so angry.

Maybe people just don't realise how big an impact they have on others, especially on those who care for them. If they did, perhaps they'd choose their words with more care or think through their actions. If they could look through a rearview mirror and see what others see, would they be able to recognise themselves? And more importantly, would they reconsider?

I need my own rearview mirror.

Posted by scrabbyfoo at September 5, 2008 04:58 PM