Sometimes, the little things in life can add up. Some bad little stuff (like stubbing a toe, or pouring spoilt milk into coffee) which irritate us can lead to an necessary encounter, while some good little things (like catching a bus/cab outside the front door) can lead to a happy disposition. It really is up to us to let these things get to us.
There was an encounter today at the local petrol station. Dude A parked his car to buy some stuff from the petrol station supermarket, and Dude B wanted to fill up his tires with air. As there was no place, Dude B parked behind Dude A while waiting for the air pumping station to free up (a guy in the 'air pumping lot'). He started filling up his tires when it came to his turn, by which time Dude A returned to his car. He asked Dude B to shift his car, Dude B replied he's almost done. Dude A asked how come he parked behind him to fill air, Dude B replied how come he took so long in the supermarket and there were other lots available instead of this lot next to the air pump filling station. Dude A said stupid, Dude B replied with "stupid old man". Dude A said something about Dude B's car, Dude B retorted. Out came the handphones, to either make a call or to take photos. [you can see how this is stupidly escalating over a trivial matter]
I'll pause here to state that I had taken over the original 'air pumping lot' and was waiting my turn. I wanted to mind my own business and stood around my car inspecting my paintwork and admiring pattern of watermarks which left dust streaks. Was going to revert to the age old 'ceiling inspection routine' when Dude B came over to pass me the air hose, saying "dunno why [he is] so rude,...." So i proceeded to fill my tires. As i was coiling up the air hose (i wonder how many people actually do), this really silly scene greeted me: two grown men waving handphones in each other's faces to take a momento home.
I just finished up and got into my car when I saw one bat the other's handphone onto the floor, and thought "oh cripes, that's torn it." So i got out of my car and approached them. Funnily enough, both were trying to justify themselves to me (oh why me?) but i wasn't listening to tell you the truth. I just didn't want these two fellers to resort to physical violence over what is technically nothing. Stepped in between them and said "Uncles, just relax lah. Let's just take a step back and chill" [stupid thing to say rite? if the uncles knew how to chill, i wouldn't have had to step in! duh!] The situation got resolved as I left (someone else wanted to use the air pump) and Dude B left just as i did, thereby allowing Dude A to get home.
I understand that in these situations, one can let these little things get out of hand and next thing you know, you are wearing a gorilla suit, jumping up and down on your car and waving a pokemon toy [dun ask]. But honestly, thinking about it more now, it really seems sillier and sillier, lol.
That was one popular air pump.
