I was sitting in a drivethrough yesterday when a woman in the car behind me jumped out of her vehicle and came to my passenger side window. She pointed downward at my right front tire and then in her best mime act, indicated that my tire was flat. I mimed her back that I knew that and also thanked her in my best mimese.
I like it when someone does something good like that but in this case, she was probably under the impression that it bothered me that my tire was flat. I guess it should upset me, but when you drive a 23-year-old car with tires like paper towels, you sort of get used to not counting on air pressure to get you from point A to B. In fact, I gave up on air pressure a long time ago. I think air pressure is highly overrated.
As the popular saying nowadays goes, it’s my Standard Operating Procedure.
I also gave up tying my shoes a few years ago and now and then, some helpful soul will point out to me that my footwear is undone. Again, I thank them profusely then walk away without doing them up, probably causing that Good Samaritan to lose faith in humanity.
So far, only family members dare to point out that another clothing mishap – a fly that is unzipped – has somehow occurred. They assume I am unaware of this wardrobe malfunction and sometimes I am, but often it’s just one more thing I plan to get around to.
I don’t know what this might be a testament to, but so far, total strangers have not worked up the courage to tell me my barn door is open.
And to think I used to be a perfectionist.
©2020 Jim Hagarty
