Benefit of the doubt, NO MORE

/begin rant

Frequent visitors to this blog may have noticed that I don't really rant too much.

I am not a picky kindda guy.. Things like .. "bo ho ... someone cut me off on the road.." or "..how could that waiter ask me if i finished my plate or not.." - don't really bother me. Life is way too short to dwell over such things.

But today's nerve surges were exceptional... not only they were an interpretation of a serious lack of consideration, civil responsibility and generic manners within a growing segment of the expat community, they all went down in one day!

The plan was to have an outdoor BBQ lunch today. So, on my way to the meeting point, Mrs. M and I passed by a gas station. The Eppko guy didn't realize for about 10 minutes that the gas pump stopped at Dhs 3 when I actually told him to "fill 'er up". Thats OK - these things happen all the time and I wasn't really in a hurry - an extra 5 minutes of watching people coming in and out won't hurt... or will they?

As I waited, a guy pulled out of the mini mart parking with his toddler in his lap clutching on the steering wheel. I have seen this before and every time I do, i ask myself: Why don't we arabs stop this backwardness? Its not cute, its reckless, its against the law and its plain dumb. Doesn't the fckuer realize that is using his baby as an airbag?

I look away to notice another (fckuer), parking his crappy piece of junk in the middle of the driveway - literally blocking access to the mini mart parking space. His 3 year old is jumping around strapless in the backseat and his wife busy fixing her make up (typical).

Then the schmuck gets off his car - GET THIS - with a lit cigarette in his hand! Can you believe that wanker? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?!

"OKAY... Time to leave the place ASAP!".

Car is full, paid up the overworked gasguy and in anticipation to leave this disaster-waiting-to-happen, I start zigzagging my way out between cars that are double-parked and others nosing too much into the driveway. (I was ok with that since I do this zigzagging every morning on my way to work)

We met with our friends at Safa Park on al Wasel Road. We found a cool spot, set up the place and settled down. Great weather, great company and great fresh-straight-off-the-grill food.

While having lunch, we notice a lady, which I will not mention her background, with her son closing in. She brings her 2 year old, strategically places him between the bushes few yards from our table, strips him buttnacked and watches over him as his takes an impressively large dump.

As we stood there watching in disbelief, all what I was thinking of is this: The lavatory is just a few feet away and, as far as i know, Dubai Municipality is generous when it comes to manuring up its parks' greenery - so if thats the case - COULD SOMEONE TELL ME WHY IS SHE DOING THAT?

I usually give people the benefit of the doubt. Thats the way i am. But from what I am seeing everyday, some behavior is just ... unjustifiable

I am really losing hope.

/end rant