Dear readers,
I've always admired elegance and quality in all aspects of life - not just in material possessions. While these qualities can certainly be reflected in clothing, cars, or vacations, true elegance and quality go beyond. They’re expressed in how we spend our free time, carry ourselves, show respect to others (and ourselves), and even in the topics we choose to discuss.
With that said, my recent, rather alarming experience put all of these ideals to the test.
Yes, dear etiquette enthusiasts, today we’re getting personal - and it won’t be rosy.
A few days ago, I was walking on a busy street during rush hour. As a considerate pedestrian, I stayed on the right side of the pavement, making space for others walking toward me or passing by. The "pavement etiquette checklist" was complete. Suddenly, I noticed a car trying to turn left into a nearby parking lot, needing to cross multiple lanes and the very pavement I was on. In a rare gap in traffic, the driver seized the moment to cross, seemingly overlooking the lone pedestrian - me.
In the next split second, I heard screeching tires, saw dark skid marks, and realised the car had stopped mere centimetres from me. The shock threw me off balance, and I stumbled, though thankfully, there was no direct impact.
What happened next, however, was a different kind of collision - a surge of rage I hadn’t known I was capable of 🤬🤬🤬 Fuelled by fear, I shouted and expressed my frustration in words I wouldn’t normally use. At that moment, I didn’t recognise myself. As a friend pointed out later, if I were a public figure, my face would have been all over the tabloids the next day.
Not very ladylike of me, I’ll admit.
Looking back, I don’t fault myself for my reaction; it was authentic, driven by fear and self-preservation. But as I replay the scene, I realise that my outburst didn’t resolve anything. The driver’s apology didn’t come any quicker, and I certainly didn’t feel a sense of relief. If anything, I was left with a crowd of onlookers who either shared in my shock or found amusement in my reaction.
In the end, I’m grateful that no one was harmed, but this experience gave me a lot to reflect on. Handling tense situations with poise and grace may not be easy, but it's worth striving for. Elegance is more than self-presentation - it can be a powerful strategy that helps us face difficult moments without letting anger cloud our actions.
Wishing you all safe and elegant days ahead, especially in traffic.
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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