# "Get outa my way" or Why I am more important than you: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280 "2010-07-11T05:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/61 "2010-07-12T05:43:57Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > \This is what the internet is for. Porn and ranting. I hope you don’t mind me using this for a sig. 🙂 > [@Meyer6](#): > > \ > Anyways, even though I’m sure everybody else who frequents this board is a paragon of organization and efficiency,\ Well, I am. My time is worth $35 per hour, if anyone’s wondering. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/62 "2010-07-12T11:10:43Z")
Slow people piss me off in places where one can reasonably conclude that most people are trying to get somewhere _else_, or at least would not wish to spend the day. The train station, the airport, the supermarket, sidewalks in business districts, etc. Dawdle to your heart’s content, but do it OUT of the flow of traffic. I promise you it’s not that hard to just step to the right. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/63 "2010-07-12T11:35:10Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Get a Thomas Guide. And for the kids, use your Garmin or iPhones, or park then get out and walk around. Don’t just drive 10 mph on the middle of Wilshire Blvd, yeesh. If I am looking for 149 Wilshire Blvd. and I am at 109 Wilshire, a Thomas Guide is of no use. GPS has already chirped out “your destination is on the right” but I haven’t seen it yet. Yes, I am going to drive 10 miles an hour in the right lane of Wilshire Blvd. If you are in a hurry, you can change lanes and pass me. Get out an walk yourself. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/64 "2010-07-12T13:05:45Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > Maybe you just live in a city with a higher moron quotient? Or maybe I’m not generally antsy? Although I do live in Minnesota… > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > If I am looking for 149 Wilshire Blvd. and I am at 109 Wilshire, a Thomas Guide is of no use. GPS has already chirped out “your destination is on the right” but I haven’t seen it yet. > > Yes, I am going to drive 10 miles an hour in the right lane of Wilshire Blvd. If you are in a hurry, you can change lanes and pass me. > > Get out an walk yourself. Yes, that makes perfect sense. The rest of traffic, that is going at or around the speed limit, should stop their cars and get out and walk to their destination, instead of the person whose GPS is telling him he’s at his destination. No no, the person who is in he general vicinity of the desired address shouldn’t park his car and walk to find what he’s looking for. Everyone else should stop moving. Were you trying to be funny, or are you actually serious about something this retarded? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/65 "2010-07-12T13:56:34Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Were you trying to be funny, or are you actually serious about something this retarded? Agreed. Park the fucking car, because you’re close enough to walk. Stop being an ass on the road. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/66 "2010-07-12T14:19:42Z")
I lose my mind if when I’m in a fast food place and the guy ahead of me is buying 20 meals for all his co-workers and paying for them individually. Double-dick move. Because if there were actually 20 people ahead of me each making 1 order, I’d leave since it would be clear that I’m not getting service anytime soon. This is why there should be transaction limitations (to those who have the mindset of “It’s my turn and I’ll take all the time I want”. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/67 "2010-07-12T14:23:29Z")
> [@DfrntBreign](#): > > Thankfully, the state of Oklahoma apparently agrees with [del]you[/del] us [and will now back up that position to the tune of $188](http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=11723828). Wow, awesome! Oklahoma: a progressive state leading the nation towards eliminating sleepy slothful sluggishness and stupidity! > [@SeaCanary](#): > > Finally. FINALLY. THAT IS SO COOL !! > > Usually I have to drive at least 30 miles beyond the DC beltway before I see slower people driving in the right lane. And I-95 between DC and Baltimore is hopeless at anytime outside of 10:00 PM to 4:30 AM. > > There are 2 things, though, that really make me want to duck and cover:[ol] > [li]I’m driving 5 mph over the speed limit in the right lane, look in my rear view mirror and see a tractor trailer rig barreling towards me fast enough to slap-shot me into the next county. I’ve tried staying put and the bastard comes up on my bumper and sits there. Given sufficient time he will pass, but I gotta tell ya I feel one helluva lot happier moving one lane to the left and getting out of his way.[/li][li]Traveling south out of DC and driving on I-95 south through Virginia, I’m once again in the right lane driving 5 mph over the limit. (The last time I looked the posted limit was 65 mph.) The problem is everyone else – and I do mean everyone in every lane – is driving between 10 and 15 mph over the limit. I am a fripping HAZARD driving at 70 mph. The only thing I can think of is find an alternate route.[/li][/ol] > I guess there’s no getting around either of these. It’s just the way things work. I’ve lived in the DC area on and off quite a bit. I can certainly sympathize, but I must call into question the veracity of your statement. Where, pray tell, is the traffic light enough to actually drive 5-15 mph over the limit? You sir, are a liar or driving at 3:00am! 😛 Stay in that right lane, too, you’re doing the right thing. Don’t let those mean truckers intimidate you. Its all for show. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/68 "2010-07-12T14:28:42Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Or maybe I’m not generally antsy? Although I do live in Minnesota… > > Yes, that makes perfect sense. The rest of traffic, that is going at or around the speed limit, should stop their cars and get out and walk to their destination, instead of the person whose GPS is telling him he’s at his destination. No no, the person who is in he general vicinity of the desired address shouldn’t park his car and walk to find what he’s looking for. Everyone else should stop moving. > > Were you trying to be funny, or are you actually serious about something this retarded? > [@Chimera](#): > > Agreed. Park the fucking car, because you’re close enough to walk. Stop being an ass on the road. Some people are wrapped tighter than an airport sandwich. You should not be driving at all. Get off the road before your rubber band snaps and you murder somebody. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/69 "2010-07-12T15:25:41Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I’ve lived in the DC area on and off quite a bit. I can certainly sympathize, but I must call into question the veracity of your statement. Where, pray tell, is the traffic light enough to actually drive 5-15 mph over the limit? > > You sir, are a liar or driving at 3:00am! > > 😛 > > Stay in that right lane, too, you’re doing the right thing. Don’t let those mean truckers intimidate you. Its all for show. \ LOL Nice try. A worthy effort. \ Obviously they’ve never _actually_ hit me…yet. I will admit that such an event would have _some_ entertainment value. Radio voice: We have a jack-knifed tractor trailer that slap-shot some passenger vehicle all the way into Montgomery County on the outer loop of the beltway at the route 295 Baltimore/Washington Parkway exit. Traffic is grid locked to Andrew’s Air Force Base to the east, to the west with rubber-neckers to just before the Georgia Avenue exit and the southbound lanes on the parkway itself up to Powder Mill Road. Not a good start to the 3 day weekend, that’s for sure. As for the passenger vehicle, emergency services have handed off that task to the Man From Glad. As to your question, you’re right. I am a liar. Well, a half-liar anyway. I’ve found that going north on I-95 towards Baltimore around 6:30ish PM – me puttering along in the next-to-right lane at 70 mph (the posted limit is 65 mph) – I’m constantly being passed by others on both sides of me at 73 to 80 mph with most of it towards the low end. To get the 95+ mph drivers it _almost (but not quite) always_ has to be 3:00 am and the drivers are members of the Brotherhood of the Motorcycle. (Think Matrix II motorcycle chase except with 5 or 6 in a pack.) It was quite a few years ago for the southbound Virginia incident and that was during a normal weekend starting at 20 miles beyond the beltway. The difference between the 2 is northbound I was traveling in a small pack of others. Southbound I was utterly alone in my +5 mph pokiness south of Dumfries, VA. When I actually sped up to the prevailing conditions I found I was doing 75 about 3 car lengths from the vehicle in front of me in the right lane! **AND SO WAS EVERYONE ELSE.** :eek: AND I WAS STILL GETTING PASSED ON THE LEFT. :eek::eek: To hell with that. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/70 "2010-07-12T15:30:09Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Some people are wrapped tighter than an airport sandwich. You should not be driving at all. Get off the road before your rubber band snaps and you murder somebody. Is this kind of thing necessary for you to justify your self-righteous asshole behavior and to be able to sleep at night? :dubious: Sounds like you belong in the BPD thread as an example. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/71 "2010-07-12T15:37:52Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Some people are wrapped tighter than an airport sandwich. You should not be driving at all. Get off the road before your rubber band snaps and you murder somebody. Do you understand that a car exists specifically for the purpose of going faster than walking? Personally, I maintain that moving slowly is always more rude than moving quickly, since a fast-moving person inconveniences a slow mover for a fraction of a second, and then they’re gone. A slow-moving person inconveniences a fast mover for much longer. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/72 "2010-07-12T15:38:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Some people are wrapped tighter than an airport sandwich. You should not be driving at all. Get off the road before your rubber band snaps and you murder somebody. You’re right. I’m going to sell my car at once. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/73 "2010-07-12T16:33:24Z")
**SeaCanary** , that’s hilarious. Driving in DC is definitely a different animal. I’m so happy I relocated to the mundane, sedate traffic levels in and around Cincinnati. I actually live 15 miles from work, and can make it there in 25 minutes! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/74 "2010-07-12T16:36:39Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I just said “ATM machine.” I am so ashamed. Everyone knows it’s an Automatic ATM Machine. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/75 "2010-07-12T16:56:04Z")
Look, can we all just agree to stay out of **my** way? I think that’s a fair compromise. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/76 "2010-07-12T17:08:22Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Self checkouts are express lanes and are for self-sevice. If you bring a full cart of groceries to that lane you are being inconsiderate at best and an asshole at worst. Same thing if you are going to buy cigarettes. You know that requires assistance of an employee. You’re in the wrong line. If you want to let your kids scan the groceries and have a little playtime, you’re in the wrong line. > > Those lanes are specifically created for people who want to move quickly. If you’re a dawdler, don’t use them. The ones in the grocery I go to don’t say express. Now, anyone trying to self check out a cart full of groceries will be ready for the booby hatch at the end, but that is a different matter. In the stores I go to, the line for the self service machines is for the pool of machines, so a slowpoke doesn’t totally block traffic. I’d much rather she be there than in a regular checkout line where you are really stuck behind her. I do agree about the cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/77 "2010-07-12T17:12:26Z")
> [@thirdwarning](#): > > I don’t dawdle, and I try to be organized, efficient and prepared for any transaction I’m doing. I sign checks ahead of time, I swipe the debit card, I have everything filled out and ready. The thing is, when it’s my turn at the window, you don’t get to decide how many transactions I’m allowed to do. Because that IS putting your time or your priorities ahead of mine. I’m allowed to use the time I need to do the things I need, even if it inconveniences you for the moment I happen to be ahead of you in line. Bravo. I wonder if people who get annoyed at dawdlers also are more sensitive to dawdling themselves. I hate people blocking supermarket aisles, so when I need to stop and look for something I push my cart to one side, preferably behind one of the displays the store puts out to block the aisle, so as to minimize disruption for others. I also have everything out before I get there, and I never, ever, write checks. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/78 "2010-07-12T17:40:56Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I hope you don’t mind me using this for a sig. 🙂 > > Well, I am. > > My time is worth $35 per hour, if anyone’s wondering. And if anyone is wondering, I’ll whisper to cats for $25 an hour. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/79 "2010-07-12T17:54:37Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > I lose my mind if when I’m in a fast food place and the guy ahead of me is buying 20 meals for all his co-workers and paying for them individually. Double-dick move. Because if there were actually 20 people ahead of me each making 1 order, I’d leave since it would be clear that I’m not getting service anytime soon. > > This is why there should be transaction limitations (to those who have the mindset of “It’s my turn and I’ll take all the time I want”. So he’s not allowed to buy meals for the office? I wonder what’s wrong with polite communication. Occasionally as I’m pondering my groceries I may leave my cart in the midle too long and someone comes along. Rather than stare at me waiting for me to realize you’re there say , excuse me, I need to move your cart, and the problem is solved. In your scenario you may or may not know the guy has to order a lot of meals but that’s not his fault , nor is he being an ass. He probably tells the counter person what he needs when he gets there rather than surprise her by ordering each one seperately. When he does that you’re informed and can make your decision accordingly. Or if he orders a 2nd and a 3rd and you’re pressed for time simply ask politely and you’ll know. It sucks when we try to rush in somewhere and accomplish something quickly and can’t but there are other people in the world and sometimes it doesn’t work out ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/80 "2010-07-12T18:02:28Z")
We do have a rush rush me me now now culture and I have to remind myself that because I left with exactly the right amount of time to get to work it’s not the person’s fault who is driving slow in front of me. Consideration and an acceptance of circumstances beyond our ability to control or predict should flow both ways in society. Don’t be oblivious of the people your share spaces with and allow for the differences in others. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=5)