I was out walking the dog this morning when I heard a car horn. An award winner actually. Must’ve been about 10 seconds. And then another 5.
I can be awful sometimes, but there’s one thing I’ll never be, and that’s a long honker. It’s one of my least favorite things. It does nothing but draw attention to the one doing it. I mean, the instigator, whatever they’ve done, is probably looking pretty innocent about 3 seconds into it. And by 5…well, we know who the real idiot is. And all because someone thinks they’re gonna “teach that guy a lesson.” But really…what lesson can one get from the blaring of a car horn well beyond it’s purpose to warn?
I can only speak for myself, but…no. I can get a little tap on the horn. “Oops. My bad. Sorry, I screwed that up.” But the long honk? Uhhh, you lost me after about a second. After 5, I’m thinking the tables have turned and most people will side with me.
There’s a method I’ve come up with over the years that has been helpful when I’m driving. I will often try to imagine what the other person is going through. When someone shows their anger in traffic, I think “He must be having a rough day.” If they shoot by me at a startling speed…“Must be a fire somewhere.” Those are fairly easy to imagine. But the long honk? I only see (hear) a person who is filled with a rage that far outpaces any “bad day” sympathy I could muster.
Really. Maybe you can take this as a public service announcement. If you feel the urge to express yourself with the horn for more than a quick “wake-up, you knucklehead,” please think again. Calm down. Count to ten. Smile and wave. Anything is better than the long honk.
