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You never know what is on the other side of the fire truck

Discussion in 'Off Topic [BG]' started by slobake, Mar 24, 2016.

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  1. Mar 24, 2016 #1
    slobake

    slobake resident ... something

    Aug 6, 2011
    Somewhere to the left of "Whoopie"
    This morning as I was riding my bike to work I had to negotiate around an accident at a major intersection in San Francisco. Red lights were flashing from the fire engine and police car that were planted in the middle of the street. Motorists were blasting their horns as we all slowly worked our way around the gridlock.

    There was also a car with major damage in the intersection.


    One cyclist decided to improve the situation by shouting “Push that car out of the way.” He caused more delays by slowing down and making eye contact with the one police officer we could see and shouting over and over “Push it out of the way.”


    I was a little concerned for his safety as cyclists, pedestrians and motorists wove through the intersection. It is best to really pay attention in situations like that, diverting your attention to something else is never a good idea.


    I thought the police were probably waiting for a tow truck to pull the car out of harm’s way. I heard another siren approaching and was glad that more help was coming.


    As I pedaled past the fire engine my assessment of the situation changed in a heartbeat. There was another policeman and several fire fighters gathered around a prone figure laid out in the middle of the street. I realized that they were more concerned about the wellbeing of someone with serious injuries than the momentary inconvenience of an impatient group of commuters.


    At that moment I thought to myself, “You never know what is on the other side of the fire truck.”


    Do I get impatient with others before I know what the whole situation is? Do I pause before responding to a problem and ask myself if I really understand what is going on? Do I ask myself how my response may affect my co-workers, my family, my friends and others?

    Whenever I have a quick emotional reaction to a post here I always regret it. The next time I am tempted to react instead of slowing down and considering the situation I hope I pause and remember that I "Never know what is on the other side of the fire truck."
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
    47th Street, PortlandBass77, nixdad and 16 others like this.
  2. Mar 24, 2016 #2
    bassinplace

    bassinplace

    Dec 1, 2008
    It was an accident. It's highly likely there are injuries or fatalities. The guy yelling at the cop was a complete idiot. God, I hate morons on the road. That guy needs to buy a bus pass.
     
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  3. Mar 24, 2016 #3
    Tom Bomb

    Tom Bomb Hypocognitive

    Apr 23, 2014
    Such a heartbreaking experience, being amongst the chaos like that. Be kind to yourself, man.
     
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  4. Mar 24, 2016 #4
    catcauphonic

    catcauphonic High Freak of the Low Frequencies Supporting Member

    Mar 30, 2012
    Seattle WA
    Often times coming up to a slow down where it usually isn't, my first thought is 'it only takes one moron to slow down hundreds if not thousands' of other motorists. But poop happens ... and i try to be understanding about it. A few weeks ago some gal was perched atop i5 over Lake Union during the afternoon rush, stopping traffic in what is already normally a 5mph freeway crawl section. Some motorists who were stuck were telling her to jump already! That's low class at its lowest
     
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  5. Mar 24, 2016 #5
    slobake

    slobake resident ... something

    Aug 6, 2011
    Somewhere to the left of "Whoopie"
    Yikes, it is astounding how ugly we humans can be.
     
    /\/\3phist0 likes this.
  6. Mar 24, 2016 #6
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    Yeah an old drummer buddy of mine used to say "Somebody better be bleeding up there to be holding us up like this."

    That crosses my mind every time I see the lights.

    These days the fact that my daughters will be driving in a decade is all I can think about myself. Just hoping everyone up there is OK.
     
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  7. Mar 24, 2016 #7
    carl h.

    carl h.

    Jul 10, 2009
    Willmar, Minnesota
    Every one of those people on the road is somebodies child.

    Remember this.
     
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  8. Mar 24, 2016 #8
    Gravedigger Dav

    Gravedigger Dav Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 13, 2014
    Springtown, Texas
    And some of the people on the road are acting like children.
     
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  9. Mar 24, 2016 #9
    Gravedigger Dav

    Gravedigger Dav Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 13, 2014
    Springtown, Texas
    Maybe that other cyclist was trying to get home before his TNC got cold.
     
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  10. Mar 24, 2016 #10
    Mktrat

    Mktrat Seriously, are we not doing phrasing anymore?

    Apr 9, 2013
    The Mitten
    I thought the whole TNC thing had been put to bed.
     
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  11. Mar 24, 2016 #11
    Hoff Kinkmeister

    Hoff Kinkmeister

    Dec 17, 2015
    Especially those who obsess over everyone else's actions, rather than just moving on with their day.
     
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  12. Mar 24, 2016 #12
    ptg

    ptg

    Mar 16, 2008
    I never get upset in traffic if it is accident related. Given the alternative of being in the accident, I just put in a new CD and hope that nobody (even the person who was probably driving recklessly and caused the whole mess) is seriously injured.
     
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  13. Mar 24, 2016 #13
    carl h.

    carl h.

    Jul 10, 2009
    Willmar, Minnesota
    Sometimes Karma steps in with poor mannered brats driving on public roads.
     
  14. Mar 24, 2016 #14
    slobake

    slobake resident ... something

    Aug 6, 2011
    Somewhere to the left of "Whoopie"
    Never eat TNC in bed, it will stink up your whole bedroom
     
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  15. Mar 24, 2016 #15
    carl h.

    carl h.

    Jul 10, 2009
    Willmar, Minnesota
    Clean it with fire is frowned upon, so I hear...
     
  16. Mar 24, 2016 #16
    Gravedigger Dav

    Gravedigger Dav Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 13, 2014
    Springtown, Texas
    Thinking is highly overrated.
    As an example, I was thinking maybe Tuna Noodle Tacos would be a good idea.
     
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  17. Mar 24, 2016 #17
    SnoMan

    SnoMan Words Words Words

    Jan 27, 2001
    Charleston, WV
    Nothing better than idiots trying to create a secondary scene when there's already one accident.

    I miss many things about being on a volunteer fire dept, but interacting with members of the public who feel like they're being 'inconvenienced' is not among them.
     
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  18. Mar 24, 2016 #18
    Stdjazz4

    Stdjazz4

    Nov 16, 2015
    The Land of Pleasant Living
    I never yell at the cops to push the obvious fender bender out of the way.

    I just hop out, start pushing and ask the kind officer to help.

    :)
     
  19. Mar 24, 2016 #19
    bassinplace

    bassinplace

    Dec 1, 2008
    No, but it might make for a good band name.
     
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  20. Mar 24, 2016 #20
    bassinplace

    bassinplace

    Dec 1, 2008
    That's what I would do too if I was a witness at the scene. Otherwise I'd steer clear, not rubberneck, let the authorties handle it and go on with my day.
     
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