Garbage Truck People

I was cleaning up my desk and found an email someone sent me a few months ago. I remember printing it because I thought it was so true. I thought I would share it here.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end.

I couldn’t believe it. But then I couldn’t believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face. And for emphasis, he threw in a one finger salute, as if his words were not enough.

But then here’s what really blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that!? This guy could have killed us!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”

He said: Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you.

So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier.

As I said, I got this in one of those emails that has been forwarded around the globe. I don't know who wrote it, but it struck me as so true.

In my experience, I run into garbage truck people at work more than anywhere else. Getting away from these type of people is one of the primary reasons the fulltime RV lifestyle appeals so much to us. From everything I've seen in forums, travel journals, blogs, etc. it seems fulltimers are friendly and relaxed. Friendships are quickly formed; everyone is accepted for who they are; your career, size of house, how many toys you have mean nothing. I can't wait to get away from so many garbage truck people!

Have a great day!