Tailgaters – Love ’em, Hate ’em

I like tailgaters. But I’m not so fond of tailgaters. Huh? Say what?

Allow me to clarify. I LOVE tailgaters-  the people that set up their grills in the parking lot before a CMU football game and  cook up brats and burgers. I love their spirit and their enthusiasm, and I also love the aroma of juicy meat wafting through the air.

What I don’t particularly appreciate are tailgaters on the road.. These are the people  who drive down North Avenue close enough to your back bumper that they can tell how fast you are going by reading your speedometer.  Seriously??

Here’s the deal. #1, I am pretty sure I'm  going the speed limit. If that’s not fast enough for them, I am sorry.

#2  riding  that close to my tail is not going to get them to their destination any faster.  If they are running late for an appointment or for work, that’s not my fault.  Maybe they need to leave 10 minutes earlier.

And #3, if the person in front of me slams on their brakes and I have to brake suddenly, guess what?  Their  shiny new truck is not going to look so shiny and new all of a sudden. Not only that,they or their insurance will be paying for chiropractic treatment for my whiplash, and repairing my dilapidated piece of automotive machinery. I’m telling you, it’s not worth it!

I'm all in favor of more tailgating in the parking lot.....and a lot less tailgating on North Avenue.