I have been driving a car for over 20 years and have noticed some changes during that time. Some of those changes are obvious, seat belts come standard with a lap and chest belt, dashboards are no longer bare metal, cars and trucks are much smaller in length than they used to be and backseats are still big enough to get into trouble in. What I've also observed is that drivers, on the whole, are a heck of lot ruder than they used to be.
I am not saying that in my younger years I never encountered some road rage, or had it for that matter. Of course snarky people existed 20 years ago as they do now. What I have noticed however, is that people driving these days seem to have a lot more of it. People honking more, and cutting each other off more. A huge increase in tailgaters and hand gestures, nasty faces and harsh words thrown about.
It makes me realize that sometimes, I'm one of those people too. Life seems to move faster now, I find myself often in a hurry to get no where that important. I arrive in a foul mood because some stranger smote me in traffic. All for no apparent reason that holds up when I stand back and take a look at it.
So next time someone lets you in front of them, even if it is a merge, give a little wave. You never know whose day you may be making better, it could even be mine!
