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Road Rage

Nathan talks with Julia about road rage and dealing with anger on the road.

Julia: So Nathan, I got a ride here with you today and I noticed in the car that you were a little bit angry.

Nathan: You know that was me toned down.

Julia: Oh my goodness.

Nathan: I can seriously get mega road rage.

Julia: Where's it coming from? Where's it coming from?

Nathan: I think it's because I think that everybody should be like aware and considerate of everything around them and I try to be so I try to never go over the speed limit. If I can see like there's a row of traffic coming on and there's a car stopping the traffic because they want to turn, I always try to let them turn and I think that some people are selfish and it drives me bonkers.

Julia: So you have road compassion and road rage at the same time?

Nathan: Yeah, maybe. But it's interesting because I'm going through a process at the moment of trying to wash away this road rage and actually it comes from your husband. He's kind of like my yogic master and he's telling me all these things to help me. He's, when somebody does something crazy and your husband is in the car with me going to work every day...

Julia: Does he give you the voice in their head?

Nathan: And he says you know it's just a mistake. They didn't normally want to do that kind of thing but just this one time they made a mistake and they probably won't do it again and it doesn't matter. Or if I say yeah but lots of people do that and he says but they're not going to change, you can't drive their car, you can only...

Julia: He's infuriating with his wisdom, isn't he?

Nathan: Well but it's useful because it's me changing, like it's helping reduce my stress but it's made me think about some other things as well.

Julia: So do you think there's a job out there then for people who become passengers to road ragers and give them this calming voice? They sit there in the passenger seat and as you're driving along and your road rage manifests, this person has then to calm you down and talk you through it. Do you think there's a job there, do you could make money from that?

Nathan: I reckon five years ago when the economy was pretty good that would have been a possibility but I think that now that maybe people don't have that money to splash around.

Julia: We're all just stuck with our road rage then?

Nathan: Stuck with my road rage.

Learn Vocabulary from the lesson

road rage

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I can seriously get mega road rage.

Road rage is anger drivers feel towards other drivers about how they drive. Notice the following:

  1. There is usually more road rage in the city than in the country.
  2. When my dad drives on the highway, he sometimes gets road rage.

drives me bonkers

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I think that some people are selfish and it drives me bonkers.

When something drives you bonkers, it annoys you. Notice the following:

  1. It drives me bonkers when people do not clean the kitchen after they use it.
  2. It drives me bonkers when people talk while eating food.

compassion

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So you have road compassion and road rage at the same time?

Compassion is sympathy or pity for people who are suffering. Notice the following:

  1. Our mayor has no compassion for the homeless.
  2. A kind teacher has compassion for students who do not like to study.

manifest

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As you're driving along, your road rage manifests.

When something manifests, it becomes clear for other's to see. Notice the following:

  1. His poor behaviour usually manifests after he starts drinking.
  2. Many medical conditions manifest after people turn 40.

talk you through it

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This person has to calm you down and talk you through it.

When you talk someone through something, you give them guidance as they do it by talking to them and giving help or encouragement. Notice the following:

  1. My boss talked me through how to use the new software.
  2. I was a little unsure how to cook a turkey but my mom talked me through it.

Vocabulary Quiz

road rage • bonkers • compassion
manifest • through
  1. If I am moody, my short temper usually will itself.
  2. I get when people drive to close to me.
  3. It makes me when people show no manners.
  4. I was scared to drive a car for the first time, but my dad helped my talking me it.
  5. The nun has a lot of for the poor.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

 

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