Lessons in assumptions
A day of consequences
Lessons in assumptions from Monday. Oy, vey.
Lesson one is that one should not assume the air conditioning in a rental car works when you pick it up. Sure, at 0730 when it isn’t yet overly warm, the blower may work but did you check to be certain the cold air also works? John, the leasing agent, showed lights, indicator, fuel Tank opening, but did he test the a/c temperature? Why no, he did not.
If not, then you may have rivulets running down your face by 1015. Actions create consequences.
Lesson two is that fuel gauges can be exceptionally tricky to read. Hearing from the replacement rental car outlet (same company but different town) that you are getting a full tank without checking multiple times is not a good move. You’re running late, however, so why wouldn’t you assume they provided the fuel they said?
Sitting a few inches off of the main portion of interstate when you run out of gas, with no alarm indicating you were perilously low, four miles north of the nearest exit gets your attention. Stuck there for two hours because AAA is having a hard time understanding Mile Marker 19 is hot, scary, and frustrating when you miss dinner reservations and wonder which diabolical driver will misjudge the lanes. Actions create consequences.
Lesson three is that there are good people who try hard to help. The fellow AAA sent did ultimately find the hungry car and uncomfortable passengers, then he bravely provided enough petrol to get the car to the next exit. He defied the maniacs who did not get the message that driving in the lane adjacent to the disabled vehicle that barely made it into the shoulder was risky. Sure, someone compensated him for his effort but probably not all that much. The man did his job and apologized for taking so long. It was a small act but it was an act of acknowledgment that we too rarely hear as recognition of responsibility
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Actions create consequences every bloody day. At the heart of these actions are the assumptions involved.
I appreciate your time reading this column. I wish you a safe, fueled, and air conditioned day. Thanks for remembering our assumptions make all the difference in the world.
Be well and be safe. FIN