People in Utah are generally nice and easy to get along with…until it comes to traffic. That’s when all the jerks come out. I’ve seen the finger more times here in Utah than anywhere else in my life–even as a missionary in California. After living here for a while, it starts to irk you.
So tonight, as I was waiting to turn left on the corner of Canyon and Bulldog, just as the light turns green a jogger runs out in the road. Predictably, the oncoming traffic honks at him, but what does he do? He flips them off.
I turned left to cut through the RB/SFH parking lot on my way home, and realized that the jogger was running the same way. Since his disrespectful gesture had rubbed me the wrong way, I decided to slow down, roll down my window, and confront him.
So, while he continued to run, I drove parallel to him and we had this conversation:
Me: Hey, why did you flip that guy off?
Jerk: Because he was being a prick!
Me: But you were the one who ran across the road.
Jerk: Yeah, but I have the right of way!
Me: Not when you’re running a red light.
Jerk: Oh yeah? Pedestrians always have the right of way, retard!
Me: So I’m a retard? Is this how you plan to get through life, by being rude to everyone?
Jerk: <laughs> EXACTLY. That’s exactly how I plan to get through life.
Me: That’s not a very good way to live. You should control your temper.
Jerk: Yeah, whatever. <waves me off> Later, dude.
Me: So now you’re just going to run away from what you did?
Jerk: <runs up to car window> Look, do you want to make this a little more serious? <threatens to punch>
Me: Not really. I just want to hold you accountable for what you did.
Jerk: <runs off again> Whatever, dude. I’m just trying to exercise.
Me: And I’m doing you a favor. You should learn to control your temper. <drives off>
I don’t know if I accomplished anything by this (or even what I wanted to accomplish), but it felt satisfying knowing that one less jerk in Provo got away with his rude and disrespectful behavior. I hope that guy remembers this conversation for a while, even if it only makes him madder. One day, he’ll learn.