10 Oct 2009
Does Rolling Down the Car Window Engage Civility?
This?
Possibly I am the last person on earth to figure this out. The driveway from my apartment building’s garage opens onto Colespring Road. When traffic is heavy (usually), it can take five or six minutes for somebody to let me out into the street.
But I have now cracked the code. When I roll down my driver’s side window, so people in the other cars can see my face, they make space for me. Just like that. It almost always works.
It’s the simple power of a human face.
I’ve noticed a similar effect riding the bus or Metro. Keep your head down and – except when it’s very crowded — no one sits next to you. (Some may say this is the desired effect.) But look up and make eye contact, and it’s an invitation. You just seem nicer.
Or this?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to put a premium on nice. I’m pretty sure there are people in my past who could tell you stories about how not-nice I once was. Hopefully, I’ve learned some lessons along the way. I might still grate on some people’s nerves, but at least I’m nice about it.
This is a great post, Sheila! It’s a reminder of how, in so many ways, we wall ourselves off from other people without even realizing it. We probably feel safer, more comfortable, or more protected when we do this–just as you feel inside a car with the windows rolled up–but it ultimately makes us more vulnerable.
Denise
October 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pmpermalink
I think you’re onto something. However, we have all witnessed drivers who take advantage of an open window to demonstrate very uncivilized hand gestures…
Laura
October 11th, 2009 at 10:38 pmpermalink
Your pictures perfectly convey what you’re talking about here and raises a provocative question about human contact–or not. Made me think about what I do or don’t do on the subway, at airports, etc. thanks!
Judy Leaver
October 12th, 2009 at 7:21 ampermalink