Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site zehntel.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!zinfandel!dave From: dave@zinfandel.UUCP Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: life with cars - (nf) Message-ID: <1529@zehntel.UUCP> Date: Sun, 10-Jun-84 04:18:24 EDT Article-I.D.: zehntel.1529 Posted: Sun Jun 10 04:18:24 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 15-Jun-84 00:54:12 EDT Sender: root@zehntel.UUCP Organization: Zehntel Inc., Walnut Creek, CA Lines: 36 #R:gargoyle:-14500:zinfandel:20500004:000:1358 zinfandel!dave Jun 8 09:57:00 1984 It is indeed very tempting to 'be articulate' with motorists that have shown a lack of good judgement. It has been my experience, however, that all this serves is to make the both of you angrier and more prone to do the same thing next time. On those rare occasions where I have the opportunity to speak with an offending driver, I try to be civil and tactfully point out the error of his/her ways. This approach almost never results in an apology, but hopefully the driver will walk/drive away with a little better understanding (after thinking about it for a while). Being hostile only illicits a hostile response -- that is perfectly natural human behavior. Chances are excellent that they will 'do it again' next time, if for no other reason than increased hostility towards bicyclists in general. This approach, of course, could only work with people who show a basic lack of good judgement, as opposed to people who are downright malicious (beer bottle throwers, people who deliberately run you off the road). As you point out, there is nothing you can do with this sort anyway, so why rise to the bait and give them the one finger salute? This only heightens their satisfaction. Dave Funk Zehntel, Inc. 2625 Shadelands Drive Walnut Creek, CA 92598 (415) 932-6900 x309 ....!decvax!sytek!zehntel!dave ...."zehntel!dave"@BERKELEY