It seems that, lately, I've forgotten some of the endearing features of Texas. Today, I got reminded that this place really IS "Like a whole 'nother country!" And I also got reminded that I will never actually BE a Texan. Not even if I try REAL hard.
It started this morning. On the ride in to work, as usual, I saw nobody on a bike. However, between 6:30 and my arrival at work just a smidge after 7, I was waved to by a guy, in the dark who was walking his dog, another man who was simply standing on his porch, and by three other people including a school crossing guard. It is not simply coincidence that Texas posts highway signs that exhort motorists to "Drive Friendly." It is something that is part of the Texas culture. When I first arrived, I was taken aback by sales people coming out of stores as I walked by, simply to say "hello" and be nice. In a NICE way.
Well, it was good to get reminded of this southern hospitality that really is genuine. But on the way home, I got reminded that these friendly sorts are not and never will be MY people. You see, as I headed home, down the crest of the hill on Bedford Road, up the hill, in my lane, hugging the curb came a "salmon" (wrong-way person on a bike).
I knew this was not a teachable moment. Clearly, a guy on a bike riding slowly uphill, against traffic on a five-lane arterial with no shoulder, no parking, and an adjacent sidewalk was simply not thinking very clearly.
So, returning to my antisocial Pacific Northwest roots, I yelled at the guy. "You're going the wrong way!" I didn't even wave "howdy." Yes, I get grumpy. Friendly has its limits. No, I'm NOT from around here...
Well...I think, "Howdy, you're going the wrong way", would have been totally appropriate.
ReplyDeletePointing out that the guy was going the wrong way is a good thing. I am glad you did it.
ReplyDeletePaz :)
Okay, I gotta ask: do you wear a cowboy hat?
ReplyDeleteLimom, I actually DO own two cowboy hats, including the one in the photo. I DO wear them on occasion, and I DO wear boots at work. Cowboy hats do NOT work in a Jaguar, but work just fine in a Land Rover. Cowboy hats do not work well on a bike because they don't have chin straps nowadays.
ReplyDeleteDo you pass salmon on the right or left? I often make a dramatic show of yielding a huge amount of space to them, and pass on the left, just to show them what a bad situation they have created.
ReplyDeleteJRA, I usually pass salmon off my starboard beam (to their right as well). Perhaps sadly, I violate my "make full lane change to pass" policy in such cases. Like motorists, I am not mentally prepared for what to do in such a case. Yelling was as far as logic took me. Without me changing course at all, we had about six feet of clearance at nearest approach. I guess that would place me about eight feet into a twelve foot lane. Pretty near "the line of sweetness."
ReplyDeleteI am shocked, shocked I tell you, that after so much time in Texas you still are not able to keep your Pacific Northwest rudeness in check when provoked by wanton idiocy.
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