More jerks per capita than any other American metro area

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:09 am

I continue to be absolutely amazed at how rude people drive in the DC area. And this coming from a guy who commutes in the NYC area almost every week. What is it with people around here? This morning a guy in a clapped out Accord nearly clips me after zooming up behind me in my lane and changing lanes at the last second. I didn't slow down or brake to provoke him at all. I was on my HD so I was a little more sensitive to this proximity. People in this area are blithely impolite and offensive driving is the norm. If you want to change lanes, don't signal your intentions or else the guy coming up will accelerate to prevent you from getting in front of him.

Maybe there is something to working for the government that pisses people off. After all, on the face of it there is no reason why a postal worker would want to kill his coworkers. Yet "going postal" was coined for a very specific reason.

Sheesh. When I retire, it sure won't be in the DC area.

Post by **DSKYZD** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:10 am

DC is 5th in Road Rage, but maybe #1 for poor driving skills?

Survey finds Miami worst road rage city

DSKYZD

The Velvet Monkey · Post by **The Velvet Monkey** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:21 am

I lived in Miami for three years and I have to say that it has, without doubt, the highest concentration of ashholes on the road (although, after spending several days driving around DC, it's open to debate).

A survey of drivers while I was there concluded that more than one-third of Miami drivers have no license or insurance (a high concentration of illegal aliens). If it was raining, it wouldn't be unusual to count 6 to 7 accidents on my five mile trek down Dixie Highway. Not surprising since most drivers mistook traffic signals, if they noticed them at all, as optional.

A real nightmare.

Post by **Caol** » Tue May 15, 2007 11:43 am

Have compared notes with a colleague in the Washington DC area and we concluded that the closer you are to the politicians (Congress/Parliament) the worse the drivers get! 'Cause in Ottawa they're in dire need of Driver Ed!!

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:53 pm

Yong,
I saw that on the news this morning and immediately thought of you (not about you being one of the raging drivers, but comparing DC to other large cities and saying it's the worst.)

I guess the slogan "Murder capital of the world" has lost it's affect, so we need a new one: "The worst drivers in the country".

I'm always so relaxed when I leave this area for a few days, and dread driving back. I try to drive around here as little as possible.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:04 pm

As an immigrant, I ask of my fellow immigrants two things:

1) Learn English
2) Don't drive like you did in your home country

As an American, I ask two things of my fellow citizens:

1) Learn some manners like your WW2 parents/grandparents
2) It doesn't matter how much you make, what you drive, or how big your house is. Chances are there are a lot of people on the same road who have more. So stop acting like a prima donna on the road.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue May 15, 2007 3:38 pm

I would add 2a) It doesn't matter that you are in a hurry to get to work. Everyone else on the road at 7:00 AM is also in a hurry to get to work, so please don't drive as if you are the only one who needs to be somewhere soon.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:10 am

rdsmith3 wrote:I would add 2a) It doesn't matter that you are in a hurry to get to work. Everyone else on the road at 7:00 AM is also in a hurry to get to work, so please don't drive as if you are the only one who needs to be somewhere soon.

I always say to myself: I'm not out here joy riding - I too have to get to work! I hate the people you see changing lanes at the first sign another lane is going slightly faster.

Post by **MikeCam** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:58 am

The Road Rage 'survey' was self-reported, so it is mostly useless.

In Miami, they are all self-loathing narcissists with hedonism as their religion. So they 'think' everybody else in the other cities must be better than they...hence a top ranking on a self rated survey.

In DC, they are all (not you John) arrogant, self-serving, self-important, empty headed power players and wannabees. But they want everybody else to think highly of them. So they self report a 'nicer' road climate.

In LA, Seattle, Portland, and just about anything West of the Mississippi except Texas they haven't seen real road rage...but they report any mildly unpleasant road experience as such.

In Texas they don't have Road Rage, they have concealed carry and an expanded right to self-defense.

Addendum: To be fair to the DC crowd--- being a jerk implies a certain amount of intentional action and self awareness. DC denizons lack those traits. It's like picking on a school of fish.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:48 am

Well I admit to being a self-centered, self-important, arrogant individual. After all, you have to be to purposefully move to Northern VA!

But there are some people here who are simply over the top. I've heard people use "I deserve..." way too many times around here. It's amazing the sheer entitlement attitude displayed. And they like to think they are the wealthiest people on the planet. In terms of household income they are, but not in terms of individual income (New Yorkers are the richest in this regard, San Franciscans second, then DC...). So what that means is that there are more dual income households in the DC area. No wonder people are pissed off around here. Both husband and wife are frazzled.

I shudder to think that I'm going to raise kids in this area in the future. (It's interesting to note that the most polite kids I generally meet are in the South.) This area is not conducive for improving one's sense of humanity.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:22 am

I've lived in the DC area my whole life and I'm still amazed at the recklessness of the drivers! It doesn't matter if it's a car packed with what appear to be Latino laborers or white women in Volvos, the mentality is always to: screw the other guy.

When people cut me off, tailgate or whatever, I think to myself 'don't people realize just how dangerous this driving thing actually is??'

I'm with you. I wanna get the hell out of this area. Everyone's constantly trying to "kill" the other guy. I'm tired of the meaningless competition.

Whether it's the drivers on the road or the renters living next door etc. people simply have no consideration for anyone other than themselves around here...

I believe that this is really a world problem, but it seems to be consentrated in the DC area.

My advice is to trust your instincts and don't raise kids around the DC area.

....whoever "wins" this rat race is still just a rat...

Post by **MikeCam** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:31 am

(Okay, not John, not Yong, not Harry)

Post by **JCsman** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:02 am

yjleesvrr wrote: I shudder to think that I'm going to raise kids in this area in the future. (It's interesting to note that the most polite kids I generally meet are in the South.)

Many of my old friends are stunned that I intend to stay in the "deep" south for the rest of my days. Judy and I had much better job prospects in DC. I used to work in the District. And it has appeal - lots to see and do.

By contrast Alabama certainly deserves the "hick" label.

But our last child, John, is now 16. If he met you he would address you as "Sir". If you are considered a family friend you'd be "Mr. Yong".

Now I (naturally) think John is ahead of the pack in most ways. And there are certainly rude kids here. But, in the overall sense, the south wins....no contest. (Here's where I hum "Sweet Home Alabama....)

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:15 pm

Portland, Oregon...home of the polite, courteous driver.....I had to go into town yesterday to give a presentation at the university hospital; while I had no encounters that were rude or dis-courteous....I did not see folks driving around smiling and waving as one might think.

So it is not a varitable easter parade here. We have plenty of stressed out, too fast, too slow or just plain rude drivers.

When I am a car passenger I often survey how many folks I see yacking on the cell phone driving one handed. It is usually about one third of the drivers.
Oregon has some legislation considering restricting teens from cell phones while driving....

Interesting survey

Beeming

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:43 pm

It's not just the driving where people show their lack of decorum in the DC area. Often it's just walking down the street.

We've all experienced it; Some jerk will be standing in the center of the sidewalk or at the base of an escolator etc., and instead of taking one step to the side to get out of your way, he'll just stand there, forcing you to walk around him.

Afterall, he's gonna show you that he's too "tough" to move. Really stupid, petty stuff like that.

Pointless male ego in action.

Post by **JCsman** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:31 am

I believe John F. Kennedy said the District was where northern charm meets southern efficiency.

Post by **OU812** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:50 pm

I am with Bill. I will retire in the south, as long as I live 'till then. Ain't no better place to be!

Sir, Ma'm, I had to call all my Uncle's friend's by that, or no hunting for me.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:38 pm

Speaking of the South, I find the disparity between reality and what many people in America think of the South to be great. These perceptions of course are perpetuated by Hollywood whose industry is replete with people from New York and other places "up north." Even as a person of "minority persuasion," I seldom find myself feeling threatened due to race in the South. And the physical infrastructure in cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Nashville are modern and, quite frankly, much better than cities like New York and Philadelphia.

The South won't rise again, because it's already risen.