You know what I miss? Being able to drive anywhere without it being a near-death experience. Last night we foolishly thought we'd "just get a doughnut", "real quick" for dessert. I had yet to check out the Krispy Kreme here and I think the last time I had one was when I was staying with my aunt in Seattle... probably 8 years ago. Sad. Time for a Kripsy Kreme.
The drive there was mostly uneventful. There were a few moments of sudden braking and a few swerves, but for the Dhab, basically easy. We got to the mall and while I waited for my order of doughnuts and a coffee (which the woman could not have made any slower) Stu ran over to the gelato place to start his order. As I walked out of Krispy Kreme and toward him, I watched a Lebanese woman and her child walk up and stand very close to him. Stu looked down at the kid who was so close he was literally standing on him (on his foot) and said, "Watch it buddy, you're on my foot". Mom. Lost. Her. Shit. She started yelling at Stu screeching, "He's just a child!" Which pissed Stu off because he nicely asked the kid to move, so he retorted, "Then maybe you should teach him some manners". Wrong answer. She FREAKS out and starts making calls on her cell phone (in French, so I couldn't eavesdrop very well). She was glaring and pointing and yelling at us and gesturing to where we were sitting to the security guards and customer service ladies of the mall. Instead of awaiting the police and Stu's arrest, we decided to take our leave, with psycho-bitch following us and still squawking into her cell phone. Oppressed women are fierce. Haha.
So on the way home we faced obnoxiously obnoxious drivers. There was heavy traffic on 11th, basically stand-still. So we're patiently waiting and chatting while we wait (mostly about the crazy lady). This Emerati (the HUGE vehicle and real gold-rimmed sunglasses beneath his headdress gave him away) was right behind us in line. He decided to cut off the guy to his right (putting himself in the far right lane) and then (in still stopped traffic) inch in front of us with a dismissive wave of his hand (we're infidels, after all)... then make a left at the next light, so cutting off 4 more lanes of traffic in a span of about 20 yards. Sigh. Everyone here thinks they're better than the next guy. So, as a means of therapy, we turn on Ludacris' "Move Bitch" and play it too loud the rest of the way home (watch the music video here. WARNING: Explicit lyrics). Stu was bummed that I wouldn't let him roll down the windows with it blaring.
Want more UAE traffic nightmares? Check out Kundi's post today.
Lemony Romaine and Avocado Salad
1 day ago
My God! You'd think the woman would be more greatful that her son was being kindly reprimanded by Stu instead of some of the less than polite men in the country! Its sad that even the children are starting to pick up this holier than thou way of thinking already.
ReplyDeleteoh that is sucky. i hate the way people let their kids behave here... like no one exists but them.. because everyone here is the most important person EVER.... in fact you should be honored that guy picked you to cut off (kidding!!!!)
ReplyDeleteMan, I know the drivers and general safety there are much worse than over here. But I wish I could say none of that happens here. I'm seeing more and more of the "holier than thou" attitude around here too, with people cutting you off every time you drive. Haha and they give the same non-courteous hand wave, as if you had waved them in. Almost annoys me more than someone just cutting me off without any acknowledgement, haha.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I'm glad you guys got out of the mall before anyone else approached you - after the stories you've enlightened us with, it's scary to think about being involved in any problems with the "law."