Earlier this morning I was almost run over. People who have experienced the way most drivers drive in Bogota -and in the developing world- know it is a risk we have to live with everyday. However, I consider myself a good pedestrian. I usually use the almost non-existent pedestrian crossings, or cross the road at corners, or -as a last resort- wait until the road is completely empty before crossing. Two reasons for this: Common sense and part of living in a society, and because it is a habit I'd like my daughters to have. I don't believe cars have priority over people and believe drivers should be responsible and respect pedestrians.
What happened today? Same as everyday, Emma and I walked to her school. On my way back I took the usual route. I know how bad the traffic is, hence I rather walk down secondary streets where there is less traffic and less stress. I got to the intersection of Calle 118 (In Bogota, "calles" run from east to west) with carrera 21 ("Carreras" run from north to south) and waited for the traffic to subside. At the time (8:30 am) there are enough cars to make one wait for about a minute before crossing is possible. When a chance came by I crossed carrera 21 (east to weast). There was a green car heading east on calle 118 but it didn't have a blinker on and also had a stop sign to obey. However, the car didn't indicate and missed the stop and almost hit me. It may have not been awfully close, and knowing local traffic likely an unremarkable incident, but what happened next was absurd:
Green Car Driver: (Crossed looks and gesticulates from inside the car)
Me: (Simulating blinking with my hand) Use the blinker!
GCD: (stops the car and lowers the passenger window) Son of a B^*^%, dic&%ad. What is your problem?
Me: Learn how to drive. I don't have to guess which way you are heading. Use your blinker.
GCD: (Insert profanity every second word) You learn! (and a lot more that I don't really recall)
That was when I decided it wasn't worth it and kept on walking west. The guy drove off and I assumed that was the end of it. About half the way through the block I was thinking about all the come backs I could have used; that he was mediocre, that the absurd reaction of getting upset, swearing and even acting violent when found in error is a bad aspect of our culture, that thanks to people like him we live in a hell of our making. But I was also glad I hadn't reacted by lowering myself to his level and had walked away from a worthless discussion. Or so I thought. What I didn't expect was to find him waiting for me at the next intersection. (He went around the block and waited for me). And it continued:
GCD: (Remember, profanity every third word) What's your problem? I wanna see you driving to see what an Ass you are...
Me: (Glad I had my thoughts prepared) (said what I mentioned above)
GCD: Loser. You don't even have a car. Surely don't even know how to drive...
Me: (LOL and LOL. To me that says a lot about the person) LOL
GCD: (More profanity, said something else and drove off eastward on calle 118)
Note: In Colombia "haves" believe they are better than "have-nots" "making it" implies having money and not being bound by the rules. In their minds not having a car is a sign of a loser.
I kept walking west, a bit upset, but laughing at the guy's reasoning. Essentially, because he has a car, he believes himself better that a person walking. It is sad, and reflects poorly on our way of thinking (and likely a western way of thinking), a way of thinking where your value as a person is tied to your possessions, not your behavior or its consequences. But what really upset me was to find him stalking me when I rrive to my building. And once he saw me watching him, he took off.
I guess the incident ended there, but I am not sure. And I feel concerned. I believe I acted right, but I am still concerned.
What would you have done in my position? Or,
in the green car driver's position?
What are your comments? opinions?
I'd like to hear from you.
Note: This is my version of the events, trying to be as objective as I can. If the driver shows up maybe he has a different version, but I honestly believed it happened as told.
Carlos, firstly - sorry that you almost got hit by a car and I hope the incident ended there. I find the best thing to do when encountering road rage is to simply ignore the person's comments - even though I know you, like anyone else (especially me), would like to get your point across, the driver probably already ignores rules & regulations and if he hasn't learned to abide by them now he (sadly) probably won't in the future. One only feeds and encourages the negative responses by being reactive.
ReplyDeleteFrom the GCD's point of view he probably thought that your hand simulations and command to use the blinker were derogatory (because in his mind who are you to tell him how to drive - after all he is the one behind the wheel of a powerful machine). Anyway, he uses that emotion of disbelief and, consequently, anger to drive his next actions - which to me, at least, shows he has no control over his emotions and has poor communication skills.
Although my next suggestion may seem a bit paranoid, I say better safe than sorry - and thats to memorize the car's plates and if an aggressive driver ever follows you again I suggest you find another place for refuge (I have clearly watched far too many abduction movies).
Just one more thing, when you say, "It is sad, and reflects poorly on our way of thinking (and likely a western way of thinking), a way of thinking where your value as a person is tied to your possessions," I agree with you that it is sad. But I personally believe that this state of mind is found universally and can not be specifically blamed on any one entity for it is not just localized in the Western mindset but it goes back indefinitely into time as a superiority complex for all human beings (some of us may show more or less of it). But I guess it is also globalization, which is circulating generalized and stereotyped western thoughts and behaviors. I believe that this clash is changing not only Colombia but other underdeveloped nations so rapidly not just in a socioeconomic way but also in a moral way.
Anyway, I am glad you and Emma are safe!
Hope that helps
- Erika
P.S. I also looked at your 101 Ideas to improve Bogota (cool idea), but one suggestions how about just respect ? For yourself and for everyone else? Because if someone can't respect themselves then they probably wont respect a line, or obey a traffic light.
Hey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. And I believe you are right: it is unlikely I'll change anyone's habits or driving attitudes by reacting the way I did. I find disappointing that people won't try to fix their mistakes, but at the same time I understand how the driver can find it derogatory to be told how to do something. There is certainly room for improvement there.
I'll keep in minding trying to be more alert and memorizing plate numbers next time. As I told someone, I didn't think it necessary (it was such an irrelevant incident) until I saw the guy when I was entering the building; but then it was too late. I haven't seen as many abduction movies as you claim to have seen, but will keep it in mind. Better safe than sorry.
Last, but not least, I am not sure people's mind sets are so similar -and specially so tied to possessions- everywhere. When basic needs are not met possessions become critical, but in surplus economies, where those needs are mostly met and there is leisure time the type of mindset is more prevalent. It is an interesting subject to talk about. Care to collaborate for the next post on the topic?
Hey! I would really enjoy working with you on your next post. Let me know the details. My email is emarin@smith.edu
ReplyDelete