Car chat

Last evening, I was returning home after a busy day, and there was an incident I remember.  

In my housing society, there is a roundabout just near the park, where motor vehicles usually try to overtake one another.  

Scooterists honking from left or right, trying to come around just as close as can be, nearly just escaping being hit by the car. Cars honking after me to be quicker, as I pause to apply brakes and avoid my car being jolted by the speed breakers.

In my years of car driving history, it seemed rather unusual that a car, a big one, stopped before me, and allowed me to pass by the roundabout.

I stayed there for a second, thinking, that the car would probably move to the right, quickly fast ahead of me.

But it stopped, letting me go instead. As it was dusk, I couldn't see who was driving the car.

But imagine the thoughts that ran in my head at that particular moment.

If my car had a system of expression, probably I would have used it to show my sense of gratitude to the driver. 

Just as frequently I press the emoji icon on a FB or an Insta post, I would have let the driver know that I was pleasantly happy. 

Maybe car manufacturers need to make cars more apt to the times.

A smily emoji to burst with joy when a passer by is helpful and an angry one, if someone is just getting too close by.

I'm running wild in my thoughts, but you know how, but reactions are so important in today's world. Feedback, reactions, emotions are getting so popular day by day. They express more than words do, sometimes. I remember the incident when the State Bank of India employee who had helped me submit the policy premium through SBI website wanted to have a rating and feedback. I too clicked 9 stars out of 10, obligingly.

I also often notice how some motorcyclist turn on their lights even during the day. Maybe they forgot to turn it off unknowingly.  In driving symbols, there could be a button to signal someone to turn off his extra lights.A button to express good evening to the Uncle ji, whom I would have greeted if I was walking on the road. Driving the car inside the colony makes me cut off from the conversations that can happen while walking in person.

When my children ask me to change my car, I will give them this idea.

I have often strolled through my colony road, searching for the apt car.

You know the car headlights sometimes express emotions.

I generally see whether the car looks gentle, or it has some arrogant look, with big angry eyes.

I reject most of the car shapes that look a bit overwhelming too. Most of the car models that my son has recommended were rejected due to such reasons.

Now I can give him another search criteria.

Find me a smiling car. A car that smiles.

It should be a real one, not a toy car like the one Noddy drives.

To come to my previous line of thoughts, that pleasant feeling yesterday was precious.

It reinforces my overall belief in humanity, in that there are people who are polite, careful, and follow driving etiquettes.