The Middle Finger

I was on the road the day before (along Eunos Ave) when I witness the most spectacular moments in the history of Singapore driving. This lorry had accidentally cut into a motorcyclist way and almost causing the poor chap to lose his balance. He wobbled and twisted his bike's handle a few times before regaining composure. I think he was not only shocked, but the lorry had jolted his adrenalin to the max. This biker then sped to the lorry's side, turned and stared at the driver, and mind you, all this happening while on the move! He was not looking at the front and I was worried for the traffic light post right ahead.

So fortunately, the traffic light turn red and everyone came to a halt. But the staring continued and I was trying to see with my lip reading skills what they were swearing at each other. Nothing much except the usual mother father you die go to hell genitals stuff. Traffic lights turn green and this motorcyclist then went ahead and tries to block the lorry's way. He then slow down to a mere 30km/h and held everyone up in the middle lane. Not only that, cars on the first and third lane also slowed down to the same pace to watch the two stunt drivers outdo each other!

Then suddenly, with one hand on the bike, the motorcyclist gathered all his might in the other and thrust into the air with the most powerful probe of the human body..... the middle finger! Like a bullet fired your way, the first immediate reaction is to shield it. The lorry driver instinctively neutralised the middle finger by turning his windscreen wipers on. The score is now 1-1. Now everyone waits for the motorcyclist's next move. Motorcyclist checks for support from the right wing, there's none. He will have to do this by himself. Will the lorry tackle him from behind, he's not sure. There's nail biting tension in the air. And I am in my car munching my pop corn anxiously. But I could sense the motorcyclist’s thirst for revenge. Then I see his fingers moving again. And with all the strength and force he mustered, gave another absolutely all-power pack jab into the air with his middle finger again! Goal !!! This time the lorry driver couldn't save it in time. Then he declared himself the winner and sped off on a high note.

That’s how idiotic Singapore drivers and motorcyclists can get. Cheap thrill? Yes. That’s why there's no law in the world like the one we have that sentences you to jail for road bullying. Accidents do happen because of negligence. I am sure the lorry driver was not aware of the motorcyclist in the blind spot. But to take on someone 10 times your size is not very wise, especially when his tiny bike looks like a twisted piece of scrap. It’s like a monkey trying to tickle an elephant’s toe, the elephant lies down and you will get instant monkey patty. The lorry driver just need to step on his accelerator and you will have another piece of mangled metal on the road.

I was also a little worried for the motorcyclist repeating his almighty middle finger. He not only resembles John Travolta and the Saturday Night Fever pose, but he is also a lightning conductor on the road with that pointed finger. A few more jabs in the air and he can be roasted with a zap from the sky. And what does the motorcyclist hope to accomplish by shoving his middle finger in the air? To scare off the driver, agitate him or to make him feel guilty for cutting his lane? Would the motorcyclist be thinking: “well, guess I made my point, the rest is up to him!!??” And I am sure the lorry driver would come down and apologise : “You know, I am glad you showed me the middle finger, otherwise I have no idea how you felt!”