The moment I refused to allow my colleague to take me back to my hometown, all kinds of emotions welled up in my heart. It was not a rash move, but was based on past experiences and a deep observation of reality.
Frankly, my car is not a passenger car, let alone a tourist bus. It is my personal means of transport, carrying my emotions and responsibilities all the way through the hustle and bustle of the city and the tranquility of the countryside. As for a colleague's request, I really can't see it as a simple ride.
Last time, my colleague's family had a mountain of luggage, filling up the space in my car, and even the gift box I had carefully prepared for the New Year was squeezed beyond recognition. The crowding and noise along the way made my car feel like a moving playground. The children's mischievous nature was even more unbearable, and they kept crawling around, laughing and playing, turning the carriage into their playground.
What's even more intolerable is that the colleague and his wife have no reverence for the environment inside the car. They complained about the smell in the car, claimed that the Honda was not as comfortable as the Toyota, and vomited frequently on the way, making the whole journey extremely difficult. Even when they stopped and rested in the service area, they did not take the initiative to express the fare, let alone give a sincere thanks.
And the unhappiness in my heart doesn't stop there. Even when it was time to refuel, colleagues did not take the initiative to express their willingness to share the fuel cost. Even when my husband asked for instant noodles, they unceremoniously ordered their favorite flavors, and we were helpless to serve them. This disrespectful and inconsiderate attitude makes people tired.
When I got home, I had to spend a lot of time cleaning the car and removing the cookie crumbs and orange peels they left behind. All of this made me hesitate and worry about driving people again in the future.
Perhaps, colleagues do not understand that riding in someone else's car is not a right to take for granted, but a sign of mutual respect and understanding. Every trip should be a pleasant and harmonious experience, not a torment of mutual torment.
So when he offered to take my car back to my hometown again, I firmly refused. It's not because I'm not kind, but because I understand my bottom line and principles. Perhaps, such a decision will make me lose a favor in the eyes of my colleagues, but I.