The C.E.O

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Whenever I drive I see it as an opportunity to observe my environment, I pay attention to everything I see; from the rough danfo drivers to street beggars and hawkers. I also try to make sense of the way some private motorists drive, some of them need to go back to driving school while some need their heads examined, the danfo drivers are confirmed lunatics and so I just avoid them. I wonder what other road users think of me though.lol!

I look at the people inside danfo buses and wonder they have to go through so much discomfort just to move around. Riding in danfo is not exactly fun, having to deal with rough driving, the uncomfortable seats, rude conductors, other passengers of very poor hygiene and the fear of boarding a fake danfo bus.

I also count to see how many female drivers who would be nice to other female road users including myself. I never count up to five, women are always in competition with each other and it makes me feel very bad. 

Anyway, when I am really in the mood I have conversations with unusual people because I want to know what goes on in their minds and possibly learn one or two things. On a certain day, a road hawker tried so hard to get me to look at his wares but I kept a straight face. He made all sorts of gestures including the annoying one of hitting the car window but I totally ignored him and made a conscious effort not get upset.

The young man wouldn’t give up, for reasons best known to him he stayed by my car and wouldn’t go look for another potential buyer. His next action amused me, he took out one of the items for sale, placed it on my dash panel where I would see it well and shouted through my window “pay whatever you want abeg”. When I looked at him we both burst out laughing and I told him that I would give him one hundred naira even though the item cost a lot more, still laughing, he said I should just bring the money.

I couldn’t resist such warm spirit and I took out a note, told him that it was for something else but he had made me change my mind. He thanked me, I could tell that he was indeed grateful and that made me very happy. I learnt from him to keep pushing and to change my strategy when the situation demands.

I learnt from him to enjoy my space wherever I find myself and to make the best out it. Laughter was the last thing on my mind that hot afternoon; the traffic as usual was quite bad but the positive attitude of the young man made me laugh out loud. I learnt from him to keep smiling and laughing because I just might make someone who is having a bad day smile.

It was meant to be a bad day, the heat was too much and the traffic was bumper to bumper but after an approximately unusual seven minutes encounter with the youthful CEO of his own business, my mood changed, I found a good cd and sang along to the songs. Time went by so swiftly and I got to my destination in no time. Did I mention that the occupants of the car beside me looked at me strangely? I could tell that they were wondering what I was laughing about, guess they will never find out.