Stupid Strangers

For several weeks, the following sin has not been committed. This is because several weeks ago, I said this to my husband:

"Sweetie, I'm going to try not to call stupid strangers names anymore. Or make sarcastic comments. Or mock them. I'm going to start being nice. Please help me."

Of course, the next time someone cut him off, he lovingly incited me to comment by saying (in the stranger's supposed voice), "Durr, what is dis fing yoo call a turrrn seegnal?" I responded with "Durr, I no have-a one" before covering my mouth in horrified shame.

To be honest, making fun of strangers is really fun. It's a way that Joe and I bond: we make light of frustrating situations. And until several weeks ago, I thought it was fine, because it "doesn't hurt anyone."

And it doesn't; not directly, anyway. But I realized something: it hurts me because it weakens my worldview. Through subconscious reinforcement, I have been telling myself that I am a better driver than everyone else. By mocking their intelligence, I have convinced myself that I am smarter than everyone else. By calling rude jaywalkers names (DOES THE ROAD LOOK LIKE A SIDEWALK YOU MORON), I am convincing myself that I am a better, kinder person than everyone else. By grimly shaking my head at those %#@^@#$ who ride bikes without helmets on the road going the wrong way and don't ride single file and who are just ASKING to be killed - I am saying that I am more responsible than everyone else.

See, the stupid stranger is Everyman. Especially if they're driving and I can't get a good look at their face because they have tinted windows. And I've learned that if I put down strangers often enough, I start to think I'm better than them. I start to become cynical. And I lose positive qualities about myself, like my generous spirit and forgiving nature (which, by the way, can't be depended upon. But when they're working, they're great).

Confession: I am a recovering insulter and mocker of strangers.

By the way, sometimes I am more successful when I know I'm not alone in a pursuit like trying to be nicer to bad drivers. I discovered RoadRagers.com, which comfortably reminds us that "Like bad weather, stupid drivers are just part of the environment."

While my message is more along the lines of "everyone is stupid so we shouldn't judge," the RoadRagers is a good place to start, and it's practical, which I need - since attitude adjustments must also come with physical changes. Plus, you can "report" bad drivers to the website. It might not fix the driver, but it may satisfy your need for revenge.