So you’re parked at the library drop-off and are depositing your many books. (Hey, what can you say? You’re a homeschooling mom.) You are startled by a sudden honk from the car behind you but keep going—there’s only a few more.
You hear another loud honk.
And then another.
And then a fourth. You look back to see the angry face of the car’s occupant approaching.
How do you feel at that point? More importantly, what do you do? I’ll be back with my version of this (most unpleasant) interaction later today.
In all things may God be glorified, even when it’s really really hard,
Hmmm…I would think the "angry" face person needs a bit of patience…and I would hope I'd act like Jesus…but a tiny part of me would want to act like Madea…oh yes! 🙂
I'm afraid I would have take the preemptive strike, and blurted out, "Do you have any idea how silly your making yourself look at this moment?"
I would have gotten flustered and taken twice as long…. and probably gotten out of my car…
🙁
Can't wait to hear how my spunky (yet very holy) friend handled this one!
🙂
I'd walk as slowly as I possibly could, then laboriously drop each book in the slot, one by one…
If I had the time to think about it I probably would have told them to calm down and it's not all that serious.
Then I might have added "I feel quite sorry for you right now..God bless you!!"
And then on the way home I probably would be using some chose words that would have sent me straight to confession.
I'm not saying any names, but some people may shut off the engine (if the vehicle is running), pop the hood, and start checking the oil. I'm just saying…
Any time someone honks at me, I think they must *know* me! So, I stop whatever I am doing and smile really big and wave!!!
Can't wait to hear your story…
Sincerely,
Donna
It's times like this that I'm always really, really tempted to give in to my own terrible temper and flip them the bird… but the pro-life sticker on the back stops me. It's one of the reasons I have it there – keeps me honorable. 🙂 I usually say a prayer for them, imagining what kind of turmoil they must be in to be SO impatient, blow them a kiss, and just be on my way…
At this point in my life (with real life being what it is), I'd probably just finish putting my books in the drop-off. Let them spout whatever vitriol they want and then patiently turn to them, look them straight in the eye and wait…
Don't answer them. That will frustrate them even more because they want something to make you look like the bad guy and here, they'd be looking worse and worse…
(Of course, If my mood was different…)
When people behave this way I actually tend to feel frightened. I am a highly sensitive person so when a stranger no less is so blatantly angry at me I am quite taken aback by the audacity. I tend to say nothing, allow them to verbally vomit and tell them that I hope the rest of their day goes better. It usually diffuses people when you remain calm because they see the disparity of their own actions and volume. Internally, however, I am boiling and would probably go home spout the story at my husband, and then have a good cry. Eagerly awaiting the rest of your story…
Wow, I've heard of road rage, but library rage? And for him/her to actually get out of the car and I assume, come yell at you in person? How messed up is that? I'm not saying I am the world's most patient person (ha,ha, far from it!) but, boy do they need some patience! Intrigued to find out how you handled it.
How do I feel? This work-in- process would be livid. But.. I'd pull the sweet card out if they confronted me… (that flies to honey thing) but unfortunately, if they persisted then Mama Bear comes out without my full consent. And Paula that cracked me up!
Like Donna (above), I usually give a big exaggerated smile and a wave to honkers. But if they got out of the car and approached? Probably just ask "Can I help you? You seem to be in quite a hurry."
(Meanwhile thinking "What a jerk.")
Fortunately I'll never have to deal with this. Our library is too small to have a "drive through." I have to lug the many bags of books to the door. Maybe it's an unwritten etiquette rule that if you have a lot of books you shouldn't use the drive through? Although that doesn't excuse the rude behavior. Maybe you should have got out, gone over to the other drivers and collected their books??
I would be SO embarrassed, that someone was that mad to honk at me, and silently say a prayer as I quickly finished and drove off.
Actually, I'd quickly finish, drive off and then say the prayer for that person…in that order!