Time and again, we have seen this increasing goondaism being indulged in by bus/auto/cab/taxi drivers mostly locals who drive extremely rashly and are willing to pick up a fight/harm any driver on the road. It is worse for women but even men are not safe. With increasing traffic jams, there are increasing incidents of road rage as well. Once again, the cops have to be tougher on these rogues. The public has to be aware and willing to help. Gurdev had a valid point here. I normally stop him from getting into scuffles or butting into others’ quarrels. Agreed then, no one will help the needy. But, do you see that these are goons and unless one can speak their language, one risks the chance of getting injured/abused /bodily harmed in the bargain. So I am right on my part in stopping him.
Also, we all must carry pepper sprays to ward off any such pesky, criminal elements for our physical safety. I have to buy one in this week itself. One more distressing incident to someone dear to me. I guess instead of getting angry, we have to remember to stay calm in such incidents. It really never helps when we have soaring tempers and terrible tones. Road rage is a reality and we have to be careful of our reactions in such situations to ensure that things don’t blow out of proportion.
I always lock my doors. Other people might want to open your door as well for some reason or another.
Once I was waiting in my car for a friend, being lost in thought while listening to some music. Then all of a sudden, some scruffy guy tries to open the car. When I roll down the window a bit, he asks for money.
I mean, what gives you the right to try and come barging in on people?
About confronting people: this can be done in a non-intrusive way without inviting violence. Once I saw a busdriver get out and start screaming to some lady on a bicycle. I said nothing but just went and stood by her side. Just looking at him.
Just such a simple non-action can make people realize what they’re doing is threatening.
Looking for pepper spray online right away 🙂
@Bart Yeah, me too. I always lock my doors. Once I had a guy on a motorbike chase me because he “felt” that I had not signaled correctly when a big van suddenly came in front of me and I had to take a sharp turn. It wasn’t like I had hurt him! I stopped my car, kept the engine running and asked him what the problem was. I told him that he should stop chasing me and could note down my car number and complain to the traffic police if he felt that it was such a big deal. I was angry and I did feel that he was harassing me hoping to make money just because I was a woman.
I like your suggestion of non-intrusive confrontation. I think I would use it whenever the need arises next.
@Gurdev Pls. buy one for Mona too. She asked me specifically.