so i’m sitting at this red light and the car in front of me has one of those “coexist” bumper stickers. you know the one. different religious symbols spelling out the word like some kind of spiritual algebra problem. and for some reason my brain just locked onto it
first thought was obviously wow this person really wants everyone to know they’re enlightened. which is probably unfair but also probably accurate. but then i started wondering if they actually practice what they preach or if it’s just performative tolerance for other drivers to judge them by. like are they cutting people off in the walmart parking lot while their bumper preaches universal harmony.
gets weird
so i’m still at this light and now i’m thinking about my own car. completely bare bumper. not even a parking sticker from somewhere cool. what does that say about me. am i the guy who’s too cool for bumper stickers or too boring to have opinions worth advertising. probably the latter if we’re being honest.
and then the light turns green and this person drives exactly the speed limit like they’re afraid their coexist message might get damaged by aggressive acceleration. which somehow felt like the most human thing about the whole situation.
accidental self-reflection
spent the rest of my drive wondering if i should get a bumper sticker. maybe something that says “honestly i don’t know” or “please lower your expectations.” but then i’d just be the guy overthinking bumper stickers who got a bumper sticker about overthinking bumper stickers.
anyway they turned into a parking lot and i kept driving straight. probably for the best.