I’m at the bar last night. I’m sitting with a group of people. Some of them I know, some of them I don’t. This is the conversation that stuck in my craw:
Friend: “Shakes, after we’re done with trivia, do you want to go with us to such and such bar?”
Me: “No, I’m good. I’m a little tired.”
Dumb girl: “Are you sure? You can follow us. It’s just right down the road.”
Friend: [turns to girl] “Shakes doesn’t drink and drive. He takes a taxi.”
Dumb girl: [whispers to friend but not so low I couldn’t hear it] “How sad”
Look lady, I don’t know who you are, but you’re about half my size, matching me drink for drink last night. I already had a good buzz going on so I know you had to be twice that.
The fact that you think you can get behind the wheel in such a state makes YOU the sad one. Don’t judge me for doing the right thing. Fuck you.
Bonus Rant: Taxi drivers: Stop getting all whiny with me because my drunk ass wants to pay with a CC. I tip you well, now just shut up about it.
So… how did your team do? We won last time! And it was nice having someone who doesn’t drink to drive me home, as the $20+ taxi fare wouldn’t have been fun.
Hopefully she is one of those people for whom a rude awakening will set in when she gets arrested and she won’t do that again. The fact that it’s “right down the road” probably provides a justification, although who knows what she’s doing after. But honestly, this makes your friend sound a little holier-than-thou, but it might just be the way it’s worded or without me seeing the social cues of speech.
Taxi companies are slimy regarding cards. They are one of those places who still ask for an extra $3 or whatever, against Visa/MC’s policies.
She may not be the sad one now, but she will be if she gets arrested for DUI. From what I’ve heard, in most places that has consequences well beyond not being able to go to a bar after trivia. And that’s if she’s one of the lucky ones who just gets arrested, rather than getting maimed, disfigured, or killed, or killing someone else.
You know she’s dumb, and she has poor enough judgment to think that driving drunk is a good idea. I wouldn’t worry about how she judges me. I might be flattered that she judges me unfavorably- after all, there is evidence that she has poor judgment. Kind of like the time a frat-boy type in college called me weird. I was very flattered, since I didn’t (and don’t) want to be like him. You don’t want to be like someone who thinks driving when she is drunk is OK.
Maybe her “how sad” had nothing to do with the comment about you not drinking and driving, but “how sad” that you’re not going to join them at the next bar. Because she likes the cut of your jib.
Let me guess. She’s younger than 25, fresh out of college, and hasn’t grasped the idea that a social evening out doesn’t always revolve around alcohol.
And I will agree that she’s all but begging to get a DUI. With any luck, she’ll outgrow this behavior and spare herself the embarrassment and headache.
We actually won this night. We have the advantage (except for dumb girl) of being a little older than the median crowd. Most of the questions were just a matter of being old enough to remember most of the stuff the MC was asking about.
Eh, it’s a nice thought, but that’s not the vibe I got from her.
Don’t know her age but yeah, she seemed 25ish. Funny.
I have a rule on DWI’s - I don’t care if you have had a few or not, some people can handle their booze and others can’t. However, if you are obviously drunk, I will intervene. I have been involved in at least two dozen DWI arrests in the last 10 years. I know the drill (having had the signs of drunk driving explained to me by an officer on a story many years ago.)
This officer suggested one of the bigger signs was failure to maintain speed followed by lane control. In each case when I think I might see a problem I lay back a 1/4 mile for a few minutes, usually at least 5 unless it’s too obvious, then make the call if it looks warranted.
Plate, make, model, location, direction, speed, driver description if I got it. Hang on the line 'til authorities catch up. I’ve got about a 90% arrest average (the others were tired and the officers are still glad we checked - and usually the tired driver is wide awake and ticket free when it’s done.)
Had one last night on the way home. Guy managed to get home before Md State Police caught up. He slammed his Toyota pickup into the curb, staggered to his front door, fumbled with his keys for a minute and finally walked in the door. He never noticed me sitting in my car 50 feet away watching him.
And yeah, in the past I made the mistake of driving drunk a few times. I readily admit I am a hypocrite. I don’t do it now. I’ll wear the Scarlet H with a clean conscience.
Great job, 2gigch1! His BAC was only .14; given his erratic driving, I would have guessed higher.
A couple of months ago I saw a van late on a Saturday night driving like that and backed way off and lost them. I wasn’t sure about how to report it to the police, or if they would respond, but I’m glad to hear they will in fact respond.
Keep up the good work!
EDIT: Oh, and Shakes? Good on you as well! If only everyone had your sense of responsibility.
I have (ex-) friends that don’t think anything of driving down the road to the next bar with “a buzz on”, but I’d always hoped that was mostly a rural “Up Nort’ Here, Ya Hey” thing. We need better enforcement: scare 'em straight with a night in the drunk tank (with Otis from Mayberry).
I hate hate hate it when people think “driving with a buzz” is any different than “Driving while intoxicated.”
So ridiculous. If you even have to wonder for a MOMENT whether or not you’re good enough to drive, you aren’t. Plain and simple. Whether you are technically within the legal limit, it’s so much better not to risk it!
Where is this? For your second offense, sure. First time is usually overnight to a day or two in jail, most of which can be substituted for community service. Plus all the other fees and requirements.
