Our Selectively Rushed Society

Everybody knows that the pace of life in the modern U.S. is fast.  We work a lot, play hard, and have lots to do at home.  That means most of us talk on the cell phone while driving to be more efficient.  Hell, some people even shave or put their make-up on while driving.  I believe this is largely responsible for some of our health issues.  We don't have time to walk or ride our bike to work let alone work out after work.  Then we have to eat on the go or at least eat readymade food which tends to be unhealthy and then we devour it because we don't have time to sit and eat.  Of course, we also drive fast to get where we're going as fast as possible.  I'm even typing fast!

But while the majority of use are hurrying to get around in our car under normal circumstances, if there's an accident on the side of the road or even a person changing their tire, we have plenty of time to slow down and see "What's goin; on on this side?"  In fact, a lot of people don't mind slowing down to see what's goin' on on the other side.  Where does this lack of urgency come from?  I can understand some horrific events just fascinate our minds but a normal guy changing his tire does not excitement make.

So that's one thing I've noticed that doesn't make sense.  But it goes on.  The same drivers who were driving 85 mph while weaving in between vehicles and hurrying to the next red light finds magical bonus time when it comes to parking.  Laziness takes over and some people will stalk customers returning to their vehicles for the closest spot.  This often takes twice the time it would take to walk from the farthest spot. 

Along the same lines, people in a driving hurry tend not to be in a walking hurry.  Many healthy individuals walk slower than the socially accepted walking pace.  And unfortunately, the slowest people tend to take up the most space either by spreading out in their groups or by just being wide.  And this blocks fast walkers who are consistently in a hurry whether in the car, in the mall, or on the parking lot.

If you're in a rush, keep your hurried pace consistent.  This random senseless slowness drives others crazy.

+ Atul

Comments

[ripismoney]

A personal favorite of mine is when someone behind you just has to pass you so bad on the expressway that, once they've passed you, they slow way down. I suppose that they haven't quite figured out that the whole point of passing someone while driving is so that you can go faster than them...

[Atul]

Yes, those people are the worst. They just want to be stay ahead of you because they have self-esteem problems I guess.