Chase!

Everyday on my way to work, I make it a point to be especially careful when passing through a certain intersection.

About 7 (or 8) years before, during my first year in college, I had only just started driving when I failed to see a car trying to get past while I was making a turn. Being a new driver, I thought that I was in the right: I was making a turn already when the other guy tried to squeeze his car in. The other guy was an ass, but it was fact that it was still my fault. It followed the same lines of thought when you say that a person who rear-ends you is at fault even if you hit the brakes abruptly.

Thing is, back then, I wasn’t as concerned with who was right or wrong. I was more concerned with the consequences. I was afraid to face it, so I just blinded myself and presumed that I was right because if it was true, then I wouldn’t have to face any of the bad consequences.

I had convinced myself that I was so “correct” that I had agreed to the driver’s and his companion’s challenge to bring the debate to their boss, who lived close by. I went there willingly, following a road that segued into a one-car alley that was a dead-end, with their boss’ house at the end.

I parked there, and their boss came out of his house without a shirt, showing off a perfect paunch and a sneer that said, “You guys woke me up. Who the heck is this g- what the fuck happened to my car?” His driver and companion then proceeded to tell their side of the story, and as the “boss” name-dropped and claimed that he was a cop, I realized that I just allowed myself to get pushed into a corner because I thought I was right; that I was invincible.

Of course, I was far from invincible then, seeing as the three of them could have beat me up (or worse) and there wouldn’t have been any witnesses. My fear to accept the consequences (aka pride) was replaced with a sense of self-preservation so I just proceeded to pay them P500 for the paint scratches and the dent I caused (it was also all I had at the time) just so I could get out of there.

It was a good, humbling experience, though. If you’re too confident, you might end up swallowing more than you can chew. If you’re a beginner in driving, or haven’t started driving because you’re afraid of getting into an accident, just know two things:

1. You’re going to bump something sooner or later. Once you accept this, you might start worrying about maintaining a perfect score a little less.

2. Start negotiating by giving something first. Ask first if it was your fault, and acknowledge if it is. It might help to presume that everyone you bump is a hot guy/girl and that if you are nice enough you might get lucky.