It Takes All Kinds Of People

I had the DISTINCT pleasure today of being the taxi driver for one of my kids. To a location 45 minutes away, to meet up with a potential main squeeze and to be introduced to his family. Said child was nervous, and as we drove she alternated with texting, staring out the window and asking questions.  At one point, we stopped at a stop light, and I pulled my BlackBerry out from the holster (btw, is there a waistband holster offered for the iPhone? My contract is up next month and I really want to trade, but I love the belt clip holster and don't want to lose that functionality with the iPhone.) I was sitting still at a red light. I wasn't texting - illegal in this state while driving - I clicked one button to confirm my directions - this trip was taking WAY longer than I'd anticipated.

I sat at the RED LIGHT, obviously my car was not moving. I glanced at my phone screen and noticed wild movements from the corner of my eye. I glanced to my left to the driver of a very expensive foreign car, who was clearly SCREAMING at me through closed windows. He was SHAKING HIS FINGER AT ME. I pulled off my sunglasses with one hand - my other still holding the phone - and he mimicked typing at me, all the while still screaming - totally silent but clearly discernible, thanks to the bulging neck veins and the spittle flying from his mouth.

Does he think I'm texting while driving? Is he SHAKING his finger at me, as if I was a recalcitrant puppy?

I was so taken aback that I just stared at him for a solid 10-15 seconds, while he continued with his tirade. He was older and I wondered for a second if he was having a seizure - but, no, there went the finger again. He was clearly reprimanding me

And I wondered how I could handle it - and thought this might be the best way - but my kids were there and all I could do was mutter and complain. (and, um, yell back at him the lamest refrain ever - "I'm not texting, you idiot!" which, duh, the windows were closed and he didn't hear me - although I did get his license plate - but I don't know what I'd ever do with it...)

Carmen Muay Thai Purple Belt Test from Carmen Staicer on Vimeo.

Comments

[Headless Mom]

Rock on, Girlfriend!!!

[twitter.com/Spacerbunny]

I have an iphone and it attaches to my beltloop with the case I purchased from cliphanger.com. Love the case (I have the zebra one) I can find it in my purse when it's in there but it spent all summer on my belt loop at VBS and Cub Scout Day Camp and general summer fun. I get compliments everywhere I go and I really think, at this point, that I should be getting a commission from the company. They have come out with more cute ones since I got mine and the other nice thing is that it came with a little hanger thing for my car. So when I am in the car, it hangs by my radio and is always quickly at hand when I need it. Hope that helps you with the switch over to the iphone. I love mine!!

[homefree]

Maybe you should read this article because it doesnt matter if you were texting or not.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32919375

Here is an excerpt- "Many of these laws essentially bar people from fooling with their smartphones in any way behind the wheel; in some cases, just reading from a mobile device is against the law."

I guess you get the picture that even if you were not texting you were probably breaking the law! A bad example none the less for your teens. who will be on the road soon themselves.

[kyooty]

way to go! I'm sure his distractionin trying to figure out what you were doing was more of a traffic problem

[Lori in KY]

Just UGH! Yes, absolutely, we should not text while we drive. BIG DUH there! But, what is the difference in what Carmen was doing and say, someone consulting their MapQuest directions they'd printed off on the computer before leaving?

[A]

You should have shown the other driver your purple belt test video and then asked him to ~get out of the car~. :)

[Nicki]

This is why I started having my son hold the iPhone when I am using the GPS function while driving. Of course that doesn't help me any when I am on my own and having to consult the phone or the mapquest printout, but it at least cuts down on the screaming fits from others. As an aside, my husband is horrible when he is messing with his Garmin while driving, and yet I have never seen anyone throw a fit over that. Go figure.

[amie]

I hate that guy!

[Kait]

Homefree are you serious?! She was looking up directions at a red light. I can guarantee I spend more time staring at my in car navigation screen than most people do looking at directions on their smart phones. It's one thing if she's texting and driving down the road, but to be stopped at a red light and looking at the screen is not a big deal at all. The older gentleman, and you, are wrong to make this an issue.

[elizabethk]

Homefree - there are ALL kinds of REAL idjits really texting and talking on cells WHILE driving. Carmen was NOT. I almost got hit by a cell phone talker in an SUV right after my first sonogram with my first child, I was walking away from the hospital...and the driver was paying more attention to her convo than to any walkers that might be around. SO, I am sensitive to watching for the real idiots, but I always make sure (well, I sure try!) that IF I am going to judge someone I know REALLY what is going on. So, I rarely get the chance. :P

Way to go, Carmen! Your kick is amazing-lol!

[Issa]

I have determined that people are INSANE!

[Brandy]

Who made that guy the text police? For heavens sake, he should have been paying more attention to the lights and traffic around him, than you!

[She Likes Purple]

Nothing destroys my faith in humanity more than the way drivers act. I swear, it's one step away from anonymous blog trolls.

[HomeFree]

To those bashing me for the truth...

I am sorry for being honest and upsetting the fragile veil of superiority that some feel regarding what they want to do verses the actual law and safety of others.

The simple fact is that it doesn't matter if she was texting or actually just reading. If it is OK to read directions then what is wrong with just reading news, an incoming text, or even watching a video?

I do not believe the law was ever drafted to mean it only applies to those sending outgoing information. And if it was how exactly is a police officer supposed to differentiate that? are we al to hand over our cell phones now for police inspection when pulled over or can adults stop pretending the laws do not apply to them?

[Vicky]

Carmen, my 6yo walked in while I was watching your video, and she said, "Wow,is she a teenager?"

[Nobody]

Kill them with kindness. Just smile and wave, watch him as his heart explodes out of his chest. And then drive away. As annoying as they are, people like him arnen't worth wasting time on. You'll always be wrong in his eyes, and you'll never see him again. So don't sweat it, just kill him with kindness. And enjoy your life...

[Brenda]

If you stared at him for 10-15 seconds, you could have taken a video with your cellphone and then posted it on YouTube! that would have been a hoot?

[Young Wife]

Wow, Carmen! Congrats on your purple belt!