Haven't talked that much about it, but I'm convinced that much of the aggressive driving is a direct result of the workplace atmosphere. I started my career in Dallas over twenty years ago and noticed the competitiveness. This was during Ross Perot's heyday and anyone that worked at EDS stuck out with the cut from the same cookie cutter mold and relentlessly driving behavior. Their speech was restless and focused on achivement constantly. Many of these employees quit after 3-5 years to get a life, sick of 60+ hour weeks.... I interviewed with other companies and remember the question: "
are you aggessive?". In the context of those times, aggressive became a dirty word that strongly suggested an overly-driven, self-seeking individual, determined to advance himself at whatever cost, eager to walk over anyone in his way.
Noticing the aggressive driving in Dallas, I have assumed that quite a few of them are just taking their workplace behavior to the road. They are not necessarily in an emergency or hot deadline situation - just doing what they do at the office.
Some professionals have this mindset:
- I'm very busy
- What I do is of the utmost importance
- That makes me "professional"
- That is how I've accumulated my trophy home, vehicle, etc...
- Therefore, my pushy, bullying behavior is justified.
