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Tempers flare as snow piles up
We all do, we who share the urban streets, currently a rabbit warren of mazes, streets as narrow as a carotid artery clogged with ancient snow banks made hard as concrete, occasionally iced with a misleading dusting of new snow. Plows have apparently taken to doing a cursory skid down most side streets, and the width of the plow blade is now the width of the path.
As winter wears on – and on – tempers are becoming as mean as those streets. I'm watching standoffs occur as spirited and pointless as a Saturday morning cartoon. Cars come face to face on the single navigational path down avenues that used to sport two lanes, and sit fuming at each other in a motionless game of chicken. Seems to me if you're tricked out in something with 4WD, you would be pleased to test – and prove – the sportiness of your ride and gladly climb up a snow bank or two. But experience would prove me wrong, as the more menacing hulksters seem to think taking up more of the road means they own more of it.
Weaving around parked cars is its own special skill, especially those perched so far from the curb the occupants must have needed a shuttle to get to it. If your car is hanging out into the driving lane, even if it's the fault of the snow, you are impeding traffic and being dangerous. Move. Parking lots are running out of space to pile snow, hence fewer spots are available. If your butt is hanging out into the parking lot as you nudge your way into a snow-clotted spot, get a clue and realize it's not a spot anymore. At least not until spring.
If I'm stuck behind parked cars waiting to pass, surely we could break open our preschool rules and take turns. Someone actually backed up for me the other day, and I almost jumped out and kissed him, thankfully remembering at the last minute that some people think strangers are just strange, and not particularly kind. But if somebody lets you by, wave and say thanks. A little courtesy goes a long way.
There is much sniping and snarking out in my end of the world aimed at runners who dare to take up space on our snow-crusted roads. One letter to the local paper ending with the show stopper, "Why do runners think they own the road?" just made me giggle. Last time I checked we all owned the roads, though maybe municipalities should be considering a refund due to the fact we haven't been able to use about half of them for the past three months.
I was walking with a friend and her dogs a few nights ago; when you see people walking on the roadways, trust me – they have little choice. My heart goes out to anyone with any kind of physical impediment. As drivers, we should keep a more watchful eye out for pedestrians, and as home owners, pitch in and make your corner of the world a little more livable. Help out elderly neighbours, and consider the delivery people who must navigate your steps, often in the dark. Look at your street through the eyes of an emergency vehicle driver, and realize your inconvenience ranks a distant second to more important things.
We all have a little Blanche in us – even as strangers, we need each other to cooperate, to be patient, and yeah, to be a little kind.
Read Lorraine Sommerfeld every Thursday on wheels.ca. www.lorraineonline.ca
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