..drivers and manners..

..children these days take to driving like cats to stalking, ducks to water, hens to laying eggs..they do it so naturally..

..I reprimanded my 13yearold son for driving his mother's Wira in and out of the garage the other day..and it is an old model Wira with clutch and pedals..and he did it smoothly, I have to admit..but no, son, you must learn courtesy on the road first before you learn anything about driving.. for I have had enough with rude and discourteous drivers..yes, even here in laidback Bachok..unlike me, and maybe them, you have a father, and fathers are supposed to teach their children the rudiments of  being courteous on the road..especially to senior citizens, geezers and old coots like me..

..and courtesy is something that is rarely seen on the road these days..

..there was a time I was asked to ride a bicycle by some youth in a souped-up Iswara with a tailpipe as big as a monsoon drain..all because I slowed down on seeing a kitten meandering onto the road..which is ok by me since he could not see the kitten..

..but when someone parked his car just by the only empty car-park along the stretch where you have your wife's hair shop, and you honked a dainty, little honk whilst signaling that his car was blocking, he only glanced at you but make no effort to move.. you waited, thinking maybe he was trying to gather his brains together, or trying to jumpstart some circuit somewhere in his mind before his hand could work the ignition-keys..but still he did not move..so you got out of car, knocked his window and said, 'Mister, can you please move up a bit so I can park my car?'

..I know that another person in my place would just whacked him on the  nose..but, as I always said to all my wives, one time or other, I am not that other person, I am me..

..and you would think that after such a polite request, he would..he did..but he also revved up his car a couple of times, you know, vroom--vroom, causing Chuan, the goldsmith to look up..and he also gave me a look of disdain, like as if I owed him tons of money..sheesh..like as if it was my fault his wife fumbled at the ATM machine...

..only a few days ago I got caught behind a bus with its hazard lights on..it was one of those Sampai Kelantan Mesti Kahwin buses- painted fireman-red and the legend 'City Liner' emblazoned at the back..no harm in dreaming, I thought... I was on the way home..it was on the way to Bachok, picking up passengers along the way...there was a fair amount of traffic..crowds returning after an evening at the beach..it was difficult predicting whether it wanted to stop or to turn right, with both lights flashing...so I did what any normal 65year-old would do in such a situation..I flashed my lights and honked..instead of pulling a little to the side and allowing me to pass, the bus picked up speed and stopped suddenly in front to pick up some passengers, all the while the hazard lights were on..even an old man like me cursed..and I did..and he honked me as I passed by..and this old man lost his cool and gave him the sign..

..and I am always a courteous driver.. even to cats, kittens and youth who displayed the P sign on the back and front but drive like as if they are professionals F1 drivers..

..what the heck...I do not deserved such treatment..