How Sweet it is!
This term was made famous by Jackie Gleason, the comedian in his role as Ralph Kramden, of “The Honeymooners” TV series fame. It came to my mind when a really great client of mine sent me the following unsolicited testimony with the words, “You may do with it as you please.”
Her very kind words made not only my day, but my entire year, so I am very pleased to share with you. As though I needed an excuse, I hold this testimony up as an example of the result of doing a job to the best of one’s ability, although in most cases clients don’t take the time to put their thoughts down on paper.
I am greatly encouraged by my super-client’s comments. I fear that many of the cashiers in our household-name supermarkets will never hear such approving words regarding their performances. For them we need a rudeness award. But don’t get me started on that!
As you read on, I Thank the lovely Jackie for her praise and I am happy to have been of assistance. I wish her many years of happy and safe motoring. Here in its entirety is her e-mail:
“Eugene and The Metaphysics Of Motoring
“Eugene Carmichael, is a highly experienced driver with over 50 years experience of driving including advanced police and emergency driving training. He also obtained his Spanish driving license by passing the Spanish system of examination.
“No matter how experienced a driver may be it can be daunting driving in a new country especially if a person has come from an urban environment in northern Europe where a car is seldom used. Such would be the case for London residents.
“Yes, one can and should take additional lessons in the new country if one feels and knows it to be necessary but what happens next, when one feels back in the swing of driving, yet there is an apprehension about local driving conditions and an initial language barrier?
“Eugene is the man! He helps his clients banish their fears, real or imaginary by helping them to appraise their skills and develop new ones where appropriate. Eugene is fully supportive of the new stricter driving code in Spain and is committed to road safety.
“Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which investigates the first principles of nature and thought. It is natural to move and mankind, ever inventive, has for centuries devised methods of moving from A to B, hence the motorcar. Travelling / moving involves a thought process and it is the thought process which shapes our skills as motorists, given that we are physically and mentally competent to drive.
“Eugene has a marvellous ability to help one internalize safe and competent strategies for driving. He is kind and considerate but firm where necessary; his services are helpful for women, who without being sexist, sometimes do not know how, or have forgotten to care for their vehicle, for example oil levels and tyre pressures. Yes, this can be managed by a garage, but it’s best to know the basics oneself.
“Eugene’s tuition is complete from the basic care of your vehicle to the revision and addition of good driving skills and practice. As motorists we have an obligation to ourselves and other road users to use our best endeavours for safety and competence on the roads. Eugene is a mine of information, but the most important aspect is his sound coaching skills. Eugene has helped many people literally from square one, people who have passed their driving test but for many reasons have not felt confident to drive in Spain.
“Eugene is above all a really decent chap with a tremendously worthwhile mission. It could be that all that is needed is a couple of hours of instruction , or it could be that a detailed programme of instruction is needed by the motorist. You will have to make the decision yourself, but making the decision to seek help and advice is a positive step towards safety. A driver no matter how skilled, who has for one reason or another become nervous can be a risk to themselves and to others.
“Yes it’s true that a lot of bad drivers are not nervous or even aware of their incompetence but what happens when you meet them on the road. On one of my coaching sessions a motorist overtook me on a dual carriage way by crossing a solid white line; another pulled almost half way out into the road from a side turning! Fear does not help in these situations, strategic defensive driving does. Eugene also has a corrective eye for drivers with bad habits and will check you out for this.. He is a really nice man who is easy to get along with and inspires confidence.”
----------O------------
My caution to new arrivals, particularly from the U.K. where you have been driving on the left is to take the greatest care not to make the fatal mistake of driving on the left here on the Continent. Always, before setting off, check that your left elbow, that’s the one that’s part of the arm you most likely wear your watch on, is pointing at the middle of the road. If it is pointing at the wall next to you, you have to take corrective action quickly and safely. You may also wish to use as your mantra the sentence: “The Right side is The Right Side!” In the U.K. the right side is the wrong side.
Driving round a roundabout the wrong way may be a bit more difficult to do, but be mindful that here the flow is counter-clockwise. Some very determined people have got it wrong. To do so could ruin your entire day.
Motorcyclists! Wear a reflective green “Gerry Jacket” by day and night. Be Seen to be Safe!
Copyright (c) 2007 Eugene Carmichael
This term was made famous by Jackie Gleason, the comedian in his role as Ralph Kramden, of “The Honeymooners” TV series fame. It came to my mind when a really great client of mine sent me the following unsolicited testimony with the words, “You may do with it as you please.”
Her very kind words made not only my day, but my entire year, so I am very pleased to share with you. As though I needed an excuse, I hold this testimony up as an example of the result of doing a job to the best of one’s ability, although in most cases clients don’t take the time to put their thoughts down on paper.
I am greatly encouraged by my super-client’s comments. I fear that many of the cashiers in our household-name supermarkets will never hear such approving words regarding their performances. For them we need a rudeness award. But don’t get me started on that!
As you read on, I Thank the lovely Jackie for her praise and I am happy to have been of assistance. I wish her many years of happy and safe motoring. Here in its entirety is her e-mail:
“Eugene and The Metaphysics Of Motoring
“Eugene Carmichael, is a highly experienced driver with over 50 years experience of driving including advanced police and emergency driving training. He also obtained his Spanish driving license by passing the Spanish system of examination.
“No matter how experienced a driver may be it can be daunting driving in a new country especially if a person has come from an urban environment in northern Europe where a car is seldom used. Such would be the case for London residents.
“Yes, one can and should take additional lessons in the new country if one feels and knows it to be necessary but what happens next, when one feels back in the swing of driving, yet there is an apprehension about local driving conditions and an initial language barrier?
“Eugene is the man! He helps his clients banish their fears, real or imaginary by helping them to appraise their skills and develop new ones where appropriate. Eugene is fully supportive of the new stricter driving code in Spain and is committed to road safety.
“Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which investigates the first principles of nature and thought. It is natural to move and mankind, ever inventive, has for centuries devised methods of moving from A to B, hence the motorcar. Travelling / moving involves a thought process and it is the thought process which shapes our skills as motorists, given that we are physically and mentally competent to drive.
“Eugene has a marvellous ability to help one internalize safe and competent strategies for driving. He is kind and considerate but firm where necessary; his services are helpful for women, who without being sexist, sometimes do not know how, or have forgotten to care for their vehicle, for example oil levels and tyre pressures. Yes, this can be managed by a garage, but it’s best to know the basics oneself.
“Eugene’s tuition is complete from the basic care of your vehicle to the revision and addition of good driving skills and practice. As motorists we have an obligation to ourselves and other road users to use our best endeavours for safety and competence on the roads. Eugene is a mine of information, but the most important aspect is his sound coaching skills. Eugene has helped many people literally from square one, people who have passed their driving test but for many reasons have not felt confident to drive in Spain.
“Eugene is above all a really decent chap with a tremendously worthwhile mission. It could be that all that is needed is a couple of hours of instruction , or it could be that a detailed programme of instruction is needed by the motorist. You will have to make the decision yourself, but making the decision to seek help and advice is a positive step towards safety. A driver no matter how skilled, who has for one reason or another become nervous can be a risk to themselves and to others.
“Yes it’s true that a lot of bad drivers are not nervous or even aware of their incompetence but what happens when you meet them on the road. On one of my coaching sessions a motorist overtook me on a dual carriage way by crossing a solid white line; another pulled almost half way out into the road from a side turning! Fear does not help in these situations, strategic defensive driving does. Eugene also has a corrective eye for drivers with bad habits and will check you out for this.. He is a really nice man who is easy to get along with and inspires confidence.”
----------O------------
My caution to new arrivals, particularly from the U.K. where you have been driving on the left is to take the greatest care not to make the fatal mistake of driving on the left here on the Continent. Always, before setting off, check that your left elbow, that’s the one that’s part of the arm you most likely wear your watch on, is pointing at the middle of the road. If it is pointing at the wall next to you, you have to take corrective action quickly and safely. You may also wish to use as your mantra the sentence: “The Right side is The Right Side!” In the U.K. the right side is the wrong side.
Driving round a roundabout the wrong way may be a bit more difficult to do, but be mindful that here the flow is counter-clockwise. Some very determined people have got it wrong. To do so could ruin your entire day.
Motorcyclists! Wear a reflective green “Gerry Jacket” by day and night. Be Seen to be Safe!
Copyright (c) 2007 Eugene Carmichael
