Last Sane Man Standing - Blog of Corey Deitz

"The Root of all Misunderstanding"

June 20, 2007

This morning on my way into work, traveling eastbound on the very rural part of Colonel Glenn Road, I came to the small stretch near Cooper Orbit where the speed limit drops from 45 m.p.h. to 30.

By coincidence, a car had quickly come up right behind me and was driving close enough for me to realize the driver seemed quite impatient that I had chosen to obey the speed limit. I could tell because he kept speeding up and falling back, as if to signal to me his anxiety over my slow pace.

Since getting pulled over a few months ago in that same spot by a county deputy and given a warning, I slow down now. I especially was watching my speed when the lights in back of me came up on my ass. For all I knew, it was a cop. I don't need a ticket at 4:30 a.m.

Well, it was only a matter of time before the guy on my bumper couldn't take it anymore and suddenly ripped left across the double yellow line, passed me, and left me in the dust.

I'm sure on his way up the road he mumbled some uncomplimentary things about me under his breath while conversely applauding himself for having taken matters into his own hands.

I'm sure he also felt pretty "put out" by having to abide by the speed limit simply because of my desire to. Now, don't misunderstand: I'm no citizen cop. I wasn't trying to intentionally hold him up. I don't care what speed limit he drives at. I was simply trying to make sure I didn't get a ticket if he was an officer.

But, I guess no matter how "right" you are sometimes, you never know how "wrong" someone else is taking it.

And that, my friend, is the problem with perception.

And perception is the root of all misunderstanding.