April 12, 2006 7:03 PM
Sweet and Sour
My column in last week's Loudoun Times-Mirror:
Sweet and Sour – The Ultimate Driving Test
When my kids were younger – and to tell you the truth, still once in a while when they’re in a nostalgic childish mood – they played a game called Sweet and Sour.
Remember? You’re in the back seat with brothers or sisters or friends and to pass the time you try to catch the eye of people in other cars. Then smile. Smile big. Maybe even give a little wave.
If the other person smiles and waves back, you squeal “Sweet!” If they do their best to ignore you, you cry “Sour!”
It’s memories like this that make me think the whole concept of DVD players to keep kids in cars amused is a real detriment to their ability to amuse themselves – not to mention the toll it takes on the family. In a hectic world where every family is straining for more quality time, why not seize those hours carpooling with kids as golden opportunities for conversation? Turn off the radio, turn off the cartoons. Tune into your children!
But I digress.
What I want to talk about is the Sweet and Sour game as a metaphor for life. That’s right – because sometimes it takes the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. And we can learn a little from this very simple test invented by children.
Especially on the road, where there do seem to be just two kinds of drivers: Sweet and Sour.
The Sours are the ones who refuse to make eye contact and let your car ease into a line of traffic backed up a mile from the stoplight at Route 287 and Route 9, when they’re on they’re way home from work and you’re just trying to get from home to the rugby field to pick up your bruised and battered – but very happy – daughter.
The Sweets are the ones who see you coming and blink their lights so there’s not even a doubt in your mind that they want you to go first. Sometimes after waiting through endless Sours I feel like jumping out and giving Mr. or Mrs. Sweet a big hug.
I mean, the wonderful thing about the Sweets is that they give your spirit a lift by the little things they do – even for a complete stranger – making everyone’s experience on the road more pleasant rather than less.
Back on the dirt roads where I live, we have a lot of practice being Sweet as we dosey-do to make room for each other when we meet on a too-narrow strip. Out in the country, it’s hard to be in too much a hurry to smile and wave at the person who just made a little extra room for you to get by.
And out in the country, you get spoiled. It’s only when you’re out teaching your daughter to drive you can be devastated by the Sours, who think nothing of the unnerving effect of tailgating on a teen going the speed limit. Who waste energy getting mad when she doesn’t take the same chance turning that they might take.
Hey Sours, you had to learn too. Only someone must have missed the boat. Because life isn’t about fast and slow. It’s about Sweet and Sour.
Posted in Family, Teens and Tweens | Permalink
Comments
Well, I have never heard of this game! Very, very interesting. Of course, I knew that Sweets and Sours were out there, I just never associated it with a game. That would be a good way of acknowledging the fact without being an out-loud complainer in front of your kids when someone like this happens along on your travels. Thanks!
Posted by: Deb | April 13, 2006 3:33 AM
DVD players and portable video game things... heaven forbid they not be in front of a screen! Oh brother....
Posted by: Carrie | April 13, 2006 4:10 PM
