Dear Cyclist,
I must admit, I’m not impressed. When you zoomed past me on your bike and shouted, “You f***ing idiot!” I didn’t take a moment to consider if I was in the bike lane or if I should have been moving faster. Honestly, all I could think was that you were being rude.
And I still believe that. My perspective on bike lanes hasn’t changed, either. But let me share a little story with you.
A Personal Experience
Years ago, when my daughter was just a baby, I buckled her into her car seat and headed to the grocery store. It was a sunny day, and the parking lot was vast, making it easy to find a spot. As I maneuvered into a space, I heard an aggressive honk from another vehicle. Confused, I assumed they were honking at someone else and continued parking.
I grabbed a cart, placed my daughter in it, and began shopping. While in one aisle, a woman approached me, her face twisted in anger. “You weren’t even looking where you were going!” she reprimanded. “That’s really dangerous! You need to look before you pull in!” I was taken aback, left momentarily speechless.
As I continued my shopping, the incident replayed in my mind. Initially, I felt anger at being yelled at, but I soon began to question her honk and why I hadn’t noticed her car. I had no clue what she was talking about.
Later, I encountered her again, and this time I decided to respond. “Excuse me,” I said, “but you’re right. I didn’t see you.” I explained that I had heard the honk but didn’t know where it was coming from. I asked her where her car was in relation to mine at that moment. I wanted to ensure I would be more aware while driving with my baby.
Her demeanor shifted; she calmed down and explained exactly where her car was parked. Suddenly, we were no longer adversaries. Instead, we exchanged useful information that improved my awareness, leaving both of us with a sense of relief.
A Message to the Rude Cyclist
So, listen up, rude cyclist: I’m actually quite a nice person. I don’t want to be in anyone’s way, and as a parent, I strive to set a good example. Yelling at people like me isn’t the way to address a situation. With the same effort and syllable count, you could have conveyed your message much more constructively.
Instead of what you shouted, try these alternatives:
- “Bike coming through!”
- “Watch out for the bike lane!”
- “Careful there, friend!”
- “Whoa, speedy!”
See? Not so hard, right?
Sincerely, from someone who would rather be an ally than a target.
P.S. If you’re curious about at-home insemination options, check out this reputable online retailer, Make A Mom, for their at-home insemination syringe kits. For more information on pregnancy and fertility, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource.
Summary
In this letter, I reflect on an encounter with a rude cyclist who yelled at me in the street. Drawing from a personal story about a similar experience in a grocery store, I emphasize the importance of communication and kindness over insults. We can all be more productive and understanding in our interactions.
Leave a Reply