Stop! In the name of the law

Driving around Gainesville is it quite easy to encounter one major problem. That problem is other motorist, and more specifically, ones who are unaware of traffic laws.

The most obvious and flagrant offense that we all run into each day is that hideous situation at a four-way stop. No one seems to remember their drivers test back in the days of our teen years.

So in case you have forgotten, and I’m sure you have, take a look at these simplified scenarios that will help you get past the stop.

The line forms here

It’s the holiday season, which means one of the greatest holiday pastimes is back again, and that of course is standing in line.

Yes with Christmas comes the expectation that anywhere we go – whether it be Best Buy, Target, or PetSmart – we are going to wait in lines.

PlayStation 3 is being released this week, and people are lining up everywhere possible to get their hands on the hot release. So I think it’s time we dissect the line-waiting scheme.

People seem to loose all sense of courtesy when approaching a counter that has more than one cashier. For example…

• TARGET – When at Target, each cashier has their own area equipped with a rotation belt, so there is no question about where to stand, which is easy enough.

• ABC LIQUOR – Sorry for this poor example, but that is all I can think of at the moment. There is the store Bath & Body Works but that is much too feminine for me to admit that I do there. What’s that? I just did? Damn. Anyway, there is one lone counter with many registers. With this situation, form one line. It is the most fair way to approach the situation, this way everyone will get through in a fair amount of time and no one is more fortunate to get through first just because they picked the better line.

CAUTION: Slow Ped-Xing

It seems like people no longer take nice leisurely strolls. There are no more evening walks after dinner or a nice saunter during a pleasant afternoon.

Actually, here in the “south,” there is still a tradition of ambling walks during the afternoon, and those occur in between class periods on the campus of the University of Florida.

Pedestrian crosswalks are designated for people to cross at and feel safe. Pedestrians feel safe because it is the law for cars to stop.

However, this does not mean that cars should wait 15 minutes while you pause in the middle of the road to retrieve your cell phone, tie your shoe, or talk with your friend as you cross paths in the middle of the road.

It is really annoying to most people to have to wait while you daydream through the crosswalk. Just increase you pace slightly and try to make the world and the roads run a little smoother.

Please silence your mouths

If you haven’t seen Borat yet, then you are missing out. The movie is absolutely hilarious. However, the crowd was not as funny.

I know that we’ve all had it happen to us. We’ll be sitting in the dark theater watching a preview for a movie, and then someone will yell out some random Samuel L. Jackson quote to get a few laughs.

It must be some rite of passage that I missed as a teen, but I think that this trend is sweeping the nation.

Much like this blogger, my theater was invaded and it almost ruined my movie experience.

I understand you may have the most hilarious thing to shout out during a movie, but do us all a favor and keep to yourself until the end.

Places to go, people to interrupt

Everyone should, and hopefully will, have to give a public speech once in their life. And hopefully when they do, someone will leisurely get up from their front-row seat, zip up a bag that they are carrying, and then walk out of the room with the door slamming shut behind them.

Why do I wish this on others? Because I’m cynical? No. Because countless times out of my day I see others do this.

I know that some people have other engagements. I understand this, but also realize that may not be the case all the time.

Tonight I saw David Burnett, a famous photojournalist, speak at UF. As the speech went on, people began to just zip up their bags and exit.

I know for a fact that one kid, who sat in front of me, was planning on leaving 10 minutes into the lecture to go to class. I don’t mind he showed up really, what I mind is he sat in the second row, in the middle of the row.

Dr. Kirk, a teacher from Florida, has noticed this interrupting trend among her students. She suggests telling students to treat class like a meeting. In a meeting, you wouldn't walk out on your boss. She has a point, however, as college kids we need to start realizing these things on our own.

If you are planning on leaving before a lecture is over, do us all a favor and sit in the back. It’s really not the complicated. Just imagine if it was you up there, how would you feel?