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Sunday, September 6, 2009

A New York Story


I was shaken and scared....
I had a busy day, brunch with a group of friends, then a long walk, shopping at the Strand bookstore, a walk through a street fair etc. We took the cross town bus across 14th street-the traffic was heavy. BL wanted to go the the Chelsea Market for fresh vegetables for tomorrows party-for the grill. I was tired- and had had enough walking and just wanted to go home. So, I walked to the Market with her and then grabbed a cab. I got in, barely hitting an Explorer with my door. As I was closing the door, someone was holding the door. "You damaged my car!" said an irate blond middle aged woman with a Germanic accent and two children in the car. I looked and there was a small mark-not a dent, not a scratch just a ". She was holding the door and demanding I get out, speaking in a loud and angry voice. I refused. If you drive in NYC, you expect these little marks. She was insistent. Holding the door and reaching for me until BL came back and said 'don't you touch her.' I was at a loss. I felt that I had done nothing wrong. Our is full of such little marks and dings. As a pedestrian I have no insurance against making little marks and felt she was about to get violent. I was exhausted and just wanted to get home. A crowd was gathering. One man came up and said 'you have your rights, stand firm. BL finally suggested she call the police, so she did. While she did that, I also did and explained my situation. While I was on the phone, she got in her car and drove off. I was shaken and exhausted.
Street drama in NYC.

4 comments:

Terri said...

Another example of the intensity of anger in the world these days....it seem so out of control...makes me want to go away and just pray for a long long while....as there seems to be no other response. And I say that even as I wonder every day if there even is a God...

Terri said...

Oh, and really, so sorry this happened to you! Scary....

Barbara B. said...

I'm so sorry that happened to you. That woman was totally out of line! (And what a stupid example for her to set for the two children in the car.)

angela said...

Down here that would have been done a little more politely, but since it would have been another car (taxis are rare), then I guess the insurance would have covered it and it would have been their deductible. I bet that's what the police told the rude woman. What an example for children.