u235

One thing about driving is that it provides a terrific opportunity to mix with our peers. Getting in a car is a mixing, a blending of humanity that at once both exposes and reveals the best (but mostly the worst) of our fellow humans. What's more for some reason people believe that when they're driving around in their glass-topped box that they are more or less invisible, even if the fact is that they're essentially on display. At no time does the point that they can see out ever correlate with the point that others can see in.

I believe I'm observant. I'm cautious about what I do in a car because, yes I realize that I'm in public. Even if there isn't a pickup truck full of yahoo's leaning out their window gesturing and leering, I realize that the semi three lanes over can see right down to my knees, and the fact that there's no car alongside does not mean that the person in front of me isn't looking through their rear-view.

So the other day when I was cautiously watching the approach of the car behind me (I was stopped at a red light and I do like to assure myself that the vehicle behind me is aware of this) I was not just aghast at the actions of the driver, it almost made me choke.

He was a decently groomed fellow, probably between late 20's and early 30's. Nice shirt, jacket, haircut. As I'm watching he puts his hands to his face and blows his nose, complete with the little left-right hand wiggle. I figured he must have been palming a handkerchief or a tissue but no! Next he proceeds to lick the flats of his palms with gusto. Several times.

You know, I used to be mildly disgusted when I saw people hock up out their car window. Now the bar is just so, so much higher.