This morning I had to go to the local home improvement supply store for about the hundredth time in the past month. I picked up a few tubes of caulk, flirted with the paint lady, and talked amongst my new found friends. Everyone loves you, when you consistently spend money at their place of business.
Upon my return to the truck, a fierce wind arrived and a light pelting of rain splattered against the frigid tarmac. I sped away and got on the six lane highway en route to my destination. Just as I was about to turn off , a ‘67 Camaro came into my rippled view.
The hood was up and an older gentleman in denims and a glue and white flannel shirt was hovering over the engine. I pulled over to the side of the road and walked over to offer any assistance. Old cars are neat but are rarely reliable.
“Do you need any help, sir?” I pleaded, as I pulled my jacket over my head.
“Batt’ry’s dead, u got any jump’ cables?”
“Sure, let me pull up to the side of your car”, I yelled as cars whizzed by without a thought.
I got out the jumper cables and we carefully hooked them up. We stood there for a minute waiting for the battery to charge. I asked him about the restoration of his car and he went on about restoring the motor. I asked him to try and turn the motor over, so he proceeded to jump in the car and turn the key.
As he turned the key, I moved to the side of the car to avoid being ran over. You never know when an old car like that will jump out of gear. The motor roared to life and he hopped out to help me collect me cables.
I leaned over to help collect the mans tools, perhaps too far, and a black car came within inches of taking me out. All I saw was a black blur whirring past my head. The driver didn’t even bother to slow down.
The gentleman offered to pay me for the trouble, but I wouldn’t take it. He followed by thanking me and we both sped away.
What has happened to the fabric of society worldwide. People don’t give a rats arse about anyone except themselves anymore. The common mentality these days is, “Me, Me, Me”. What ever happened to “WE"”?
Mind you, I am anything but perfect. There are some people that I wouldn’t help, but even then, I’d offer to make a call for them.
How was your Monday?
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I’m probably one of those actually JD. I rarely stop to offer assistance. Although last week I did help (with another bloke) push a guy’s car out of harm’s way after it broke down but he was far from grateful. I think he would have preferred to have his broken down WRX in full view than dumped around the corner out of harms way and out of view.
Baino, sorry for taking two days to get back to you. It has been a hectic week to say the least.
Some people don’t deserve help.
At the risk of being sexist, I only stop for women. I figure the most blokes have the physical strength to bluff their way through car problems and would most likely laugh if I offered my expertise. (except where pushing is involved… I always love it when I manage to help someone kick-start a car, it’s very satisfying!)
However, most of the time, with chicks it’s a case of them knowing what they’re doing, but they’re simply thwarted by a stuck nut, as it were. Two bootheels are better than one in these cases.
However, if it’s raining on a busy highway, I admit to being a selfish beeotch and driving past with a resounding ‘Oooh, hate that!’ for the poor stuck soul. My retribution will come, I can feel it.