So, I'm on my way home tonight and I'm driving down my street. On either side, I see what appear to be those janitor signs that they put out in the bathroom after they pretend to mop the floor. As I get closer, I see that it's not a janitor sign at all, but a sign that says "Slow: Children Playing", and of course I see the mom chasing her 2 year old on a tricycle to get her of the way as I approach (and I also see 4 or 5 other 6-10 year old kids playing in the front yards on the sides of the street).

OK, kids playing in a neighborhood street, no big deal. I did it when I was a kid, and I learned to be attentive of my surroundings and get out of the way when a car was coming. I didn't expect the traffic to yield to me. It's a street, not a playground. And more importantly, my parents didn't put up a sign telling other people living in the neighborhood that they need to make a point to slow down for us kids. My parents' philosophy: If I couldn't get my dumb ass out of the street, then I deserved to get run over. If I died, they'd make a new kid and hopefully it would be smarter. Darwin effect and all.

So, on top of this, I couldn't help but think about the fact that my neighborhood is less than a 50 yard walk to a City Park with a soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court and lots of open areas to play in... and this lady wants me to slow down so her kids can play in the street!!! She can kiss my pasty white ass!

So, that's my rant for the day. I just thought you guys might like to be entertained by my tale of the stupid soccer mom on my street that thinks that the life of the entire community revolves around her kid(s).

 

Well, the rub I see is just the damn sign. If she's out there supervising, then what do you need a sign for?

It's not that she wants to harangue or bully you into slowing down; it's that no expense shall be spared for her convenience and the (perceived) safety of her kids.

In other words, "I'm going to throw money at the problem, rather than really take care of it."

 

I actually had a lady yell at me not more than 5 minutes ago, telling me to "Slow!".

She was Indian, so I'm assuming she couldn't speak English well. I just laughed and kept on going.

I was only going about 25mph.

 

i we those all the time the only one i listen to is the one that says "Carefull Deff Children at Play" or somthing like that. so i understand they wont hear you coming

 

You should get stickers made for your hood and rear bumper that say: CAUTION, FAST CAR APPROACHING

Hey, you warned them....

 

Only problem is... I was in my Accord so "FAST" might not apply.

 

I would be pissed too. I hate kids for one, but that's a different issue. I would have reported her and her kids. Probably would also have confronted her on letting her kids play in the street.

Was the fire hydrant shooting water too?.... tell her this aint the Ghetto.... it's a public street.

 

I don't get people.

I was doing 25 mph through my neighborhood a month ago and a guy actually honked me down yelling at me saying I was going over 50mph. I think since our cars are smaller, they look like they're going faster than they are.

Lets just say he claimed to be an officer as well and didn't show ID. I called to file a formal complaint and OMG they couldn't find him in their system. Lets just say I got his plate and they paid him a visit.

 

I also think it has to do with engine noise as well.

I was rolling through a neighborhood doing about 28mph (on the speedo which is usually high), speed limit is 25. I had some lady who was unloading their FJ Cruiser with her daughter yell at me to slow down. I ended up slamming on my brakes and turning around in the next intersection and driving back up to her and speaking to her in a firm and annoyed tone, but not disrespectful or yelling -

Me: "What is your problem?"

Her: "You shouldn't be driving through this neighborhood like a bat out of hell!"

Me: "How fast do you think I was going?"

Her: "Like 40!"

Me: "I was doing barely over 25mph. Make sure you know what you're talking about before making a fool of yourself"

Her: "Uh...Uh.."

Me: "Yeah, kiss my ass"


All of this in front of her jailbait daughter too.

 

I've actually had a guy who lives in my neighborhood jump out in front of my car and put his hands on my hood while I was doing less than 20 mph. There were no kids playing or anything, but he just stood there poking his finger while yelling at me to slow down. I took about five seconds of that crap, backed up, and drove around him. I'll occasionally get a nice "SLOW DOWN!" from some of the soccer moms as well. It's funny how they think they can drive as fast and crazy as they want in their suv's and mini vans, yet I get yelled at for having an exhaust.