Just before Christmas I was driving around in my car with my kids and passed by a shop which had a cartoon character outside. Since we were moving at snail’s pace in traffic I told the kids to look and wave and so they did. This took maybe 20 seconds.

The car in front of me moved by 2-3 metres and the driver of the car behind me quickly honked his horn. Forgetting how many idiots there are around us I motioned for patience. The idiot took this took this as a challenge and tried charging at me with his (small) car. I was flabbergasted.

I stopped and let him pass. He fitted into the 2 mt slot in front of me and waited like the rest of us as there was nowhere to go. This is just one of the many instances I have been through and it goes to show how such people do not think. What if he hit my car? Wouldn’t he be at the losing end?

The roads are full of idiots and what for most of us is a rational thing to do is the complete opposite for others. We need to keep in mind that such people will not be thinking long term at all but would be thinking of how to pay you back (ipattihilek).

I remember once seeing a guy who had just crashed into another person fly out of the car and beat him senseless. I’m no coward but I prefer to let some idiot overtake than get myself maimed. On the other hand it’s a pity these people are allowed to do what they like…

Daphne wasn’t here but her articles were still being published on http://www.independent.com.mt (every Sunday and Thursday).

get it right, why don’t you – and while you’re at it inform your journalist colelagues at all the papers you know. I’ve given up trying.