There are plenty of things that get me nervous. Most of which are quite trivial. This particular nerve-wracking activity, though, is one of the more serious endeavors. What is it, you may ask?
Driving a car that contains a male-of-driving-aged passenger.
You may be thinking, "Wow, Katie, what is wrong with you?"
Women are already stigmatized as insufficient drivers. Even though I am a woman, I agree (if you think I am being insensitive toward my gender, just look up "female NASCAR drivers" on Wikipedia. Now look up "male NASCAR drivers" on Wikipedia...yeah). I'll admit, males>females in regards to driving. This is probably the stem of my neurological fear of operating a vehicle with a man in the car.
My thoughts when I'm driving in the presence of a man:
Eyes on the road...eyes on the road...but wait! I don't want to seem like I'm trying too hard...but I also don't want to wreck...but I have to look cool...but I also don't want to die...
Ok, a squirrel just ran in front of you, DO NOT FREAK OUT. Stay collected. It's not a big deal if you run it over, just STAY CALM. What did I tell you!? KATIE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER AND STAY CALM!!!!!!! Wow. You are such an embarrassment.
I just know he's thinking about how much better of a driver he is than I am. Why can't he just give me a chance? It's not fair.
I hope I don't wreck. That would just prove to him never to trust me ever again behind the wheel.
Don't go too slow, he'll think you're a weenie. But also don't speed because then you'll get a ticket, giving him license to make fun of you the rest of your life. Or at least make you remember this moment.
Crap. I have no idea where I'm going. Why do I have to be so directionally challenged? He'll never let me drive again. But, that might not be all so bad...
Sure, I'm trying to protect my own dignity, but at the same time I must fight to thwart stigmatization of womankind. It's a duty that all of us women possess, but only few are able to uphold this arduous responsibility.
Yes, I may overreact sometimes, but let's face it. I'm a woman. It's what I do. Overreact, and have driving skills that are inferior to those of men.
