Thursday, October 29, 2009

Hit by car

so back when morning was transitioning into afternoon, I was hit by a car while riding my bike. Nothing overly dramatic. I saw him coming up to a stop sign. It appeared that he looked in my direction and he had a stop sign, so I didn't slow. He didn't stop at the stop sign.

To begin. I am not hurt, I was not knocked over, my boot left a dent in his bumper, and my bike wheel was warped enough that I have to get a new one ($45).

The guy was petrified. He offered me his number and to give me a ride. It's a larger mountain bike so it wouldn't fit in his car. I told him not to worry about it, shit happens, sorry to put a damper on his day and make the rest better. Put my bike on my shoulder and walked the mile to the bike shop I had just bought this bike from last weekend.

I felt bad for the guy (the one who hit me). It is a harrowing experience to both accidently hurt someone and within a split second suddenly have your balls in the grip of someone who could definitely choose to squeeze.

It seems like too many people do go for the squeeze. The reactions I have gotten so far seem to fall in the, "You should make him pay for it" category. "Forgive and Forget" is seemingly an archaic in these days of rampant insurance.

Now, I do not believe in total "turn the other cheek" life. Not by a long shot. But there is a certain discernment system that I believe is a lot healthier than the current "gut them for all their worth" mentality I see so often.

Basically, $45, isn't enough to shit a brick about, and politeness & concern towards a fellow man(or woman) should be rewarded with civility in return. To overly focus on the small setbacks is a waste of time, energy and positive emotion. It hurts you as well as the "offending" party.

Now, if the guy was a jerk, instead of politeness I would of been very demanding. No reason to reward an ass by not squeezing his balls. Besides, maybe he likes it and that's why he's an ass. Just so people put his balls in a vise.