They Need Us, They Just Don’t Want to Admit It
My husband hardly ever gets lost. Hardly ever. But there’s this amazing phenomenon that occurs whenever I get in the car when Ryan is driving. Girls, I’m sure it goes without saying what this peculiarity of male nature is. You get in the car and your man immediately stops processing anything around him.
We can be going anywhere, even my parents’ house where we’ve been a million times, and I’ll sit in the passenger’s seat watching the exits go by on the freeway. I see our exit. 2 miles. We’re still in the fast lane. 1 mile. No sign of getting over. I hold my tongue until about 1/2 mile away but by then its panic time.
So what’s this about? I have some theories on this one, as I’m given ample opportunity to think about it. My first theory is that guys regularly get lost but pretend that it only happens when we’re in the car. My second theory is that we women are so bossy that our men get used to us telling them what to do, so they feel comfortable turning over all the decision making to us ladies, if only to be spared the nagging. OK, there’s no way that second one could be true, but I thought I’d be diplomatic and throw it out there.
OMG!
I SO totally understand what you are talking about. Only he’s usually just trying to get ahead of transport trucks…or that’s his reasoning anyway. At the last possible second, after practically cutting off the truck, he makes his turn. And my heart is in my throat. My fingernails are imbedded in the seat. And I’m too scared to even say a word. So, of course, he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong. And my moment of opportunity to tell him how much I hate his driving is lost.
Tomorrow…we’re headed to Buffalo. Should be fun, as neither of us knows how to get to the hotel. We’ll probably just circle the airport until our flight is ready to leave the next day!
yeah, I’m with you on this one. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to calmly say "red light" or "stop sign" when I’m in the car with Chris. A couple of times he’s run stop signs or red lights..I’m like "how do you get anywhere?"..
There’s another explanation that I like to think of: maybe our allure is just too distracting for them to keep track of their driving.
Men should learn to shut up and listen to all the women in their lives and the world would be a safer, happier place.
I miss exits and turns all the time when going to M’s parent’s house, too. Maybe it’s more of a ‘going to your SO’s parents’ house’ thang
My wife and I have a deal: whenever one of us drives, the other is the navigator. When we drive far or to someplace new, we jointly look up and print all the maps we’ll need for the trip (God bless Google Maps). Then we consult over them, discussing strategies and alternatives. Then we’re off.
The navigator holds onto the maps and watches for waypoints. When we’re on terra firma - like, say, a big highway that we know well - the navigator calculates distances to service exits and scouts possible stops in between. It’s a serious role, and we’ve managed to keep peace in our minivan (we’ve got 3 kids) by sticking to the plan.
I know, weird. But it can make even mundane trips fun.
Just stopping by to say hi!