I was just thinking that I have never written a column with a title starting with the letter “Z”. When I took the Dale Carnegie course on public speaking, as an exercise we would be called to the front of the room and given a topic upon which we were challenged to speak for two minutes. The idea was to sound intelligent, and not to pause for words with the usual um-mum. Of course we did, but there was always the official counter who announced to all and sundry the number of times you dropped that ball. Oh! How I hated that man!
So this is that type of exercise where I have chosen the title, and now I have to find something to say about it. Firstly, I’m sure it would help if I explained what the word means. It is of German origin, of course, and according to the Wikipedia on-line encyclopaedia, it is an expression that means “the spirit (Geist) of the time (Zeit).” This word is well travelled for it seems to have been adopted by the English, Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese languages.
I have been thinking about what appears to be the spirit of our times here in Spain, relative to driving following the application of the points system which was designed to bring about better behaviour on the roads. It was clear from the start that the awful statistics were not due to unavoidable circumstances. We saw it with our own eyes, the deliberately bad attitude that created the climate that led to so much death and destruction. It has not all gone away, that’s for sure. The worst times are during holiday travel when it seems that the lunatics are released to go wild on the road.
Normally, I absolutely avoid driving during those periods when there is an exodus from Valencia of people going on holiday, or returning to the city. If I have to be on the road, ideally I need to be going in the opposite direction along the motorway. What possesses a man to load up his car with his family, and then to drive recklessly? I suppose it could be that with the children on board for a long journey they become impatient, start to bicker and fight, and that becomes a distraction and an incentive to get the journey over with in a hurry. Also, it could be that some people think they need to calm their nerves by downing a couple of drinks.
If not a family problem, then perhaps simply being in a relaxed party mood leads to a loss of commonsense. To resist the temptation to have one for the road requires a measure of discipline not normally present in a young man or woman. It has taken me all these years to say no to even a drop of alcohol if I have to drive. It was hard at first. When refusing a drink from my host I got a look along the lines of, “oh, you’re Mr. Goody two shoes eh?” or “so, you think you’re better than us?” But lately, I am hearing more people order beer without alcohol, and more bartenders being encouraging about it.
Our Zeitgeist may even be able to be named. Fear of losing our points and license. Now, this is truly an amazing thing, but the numbers appear to bear out the facts before and after the introduction of the points system. Deaths on the road are down. Speeding convictions are down. Ticketable offences in general are down. The mere fact that over 3,000 people were losing their lives annually on Spain’s roads didn’t seem to make a dent in our consciousness. I suppose it was the usual case of it won’t happen to me. But the loss of points could indeed happen to each and everyone of us, especially when there are policemen actually on the lookout to get us.
Irrational behaviour, except by a diminishing hardcore group, is actually becoming noticeable. When I first arrived here over eight years ago I immediately noticed the extraordinarily bad antics, but it soon became clear to me that the average Spaniard simply shrugged his shoulders in acceptance of the fact that is the way it is.
No longer. Reckless and dangerous behaviour is met with very loud and passionate denouncement. I saw this just recently in Valence at the pedestrian crossing in front of the bullring. A car was driven through a red light narrowly avoiding taking down people who were crossing at the time. Idióta! Imbécile! Tonto! So went the cries. That didn’t happen just a few short years ago.
The French have passed this way and have gone on to amazing change in their discipline on the roads. They are our neighbours. If they can do it, I can see no reason why those of us here in Spain cannot. I know that the saying goes, “When in Spain, do as the Spanish do!” In many ways, I think that our hosts have got it right. Their attitude to family, and the fact that they take the time to savour the good things that life has to offer is truly commendable. My own quality of life has been so enriched by learning from these wonderful people. But bad driving habits are not to be commended to anyone. So, no, I will not start the day out by having a brandy first thing in the morning, nor will I take a litre of beer with my elevenses or a bottle of wine with lunch when I have to drive, even if its for a short distance.
The spirit of the times seems to be “We can do better.” I have said this before, that the will of the people can move mountains and accomplish miracles. I am very happy to be a part of the Spirit of these Times. This Zeitgeist thing is pretty neat. Long may it live! Yes! We can do Better!
Motorcyclists! Wear the lime-green reflective “Gerry Jacket” both day and night. Be Seen to be Safe!
Copyright (c) 2007 Eugene Carmichael
