A Drive Thru Surprise

One bright morning, I was excited to get my favorite breakfast from McDonald's. As I drove into the drive-thru line, ready to wait patiently for my turn, something unexpected happened. 

A car zoomed in from the side and cut in front of me, bypassing the line entirely. I felt a surge of frustration and wanted to get out of my car to ask her to wait her turn, but then I remembered stories about road rage and how things can sometimes get out of hand. I took a deep breath and decided to stay quiet, choosing to focus on my own breakfast instead. 

Finally, it was my turn to order. I pulled up to the microphone and placed my usual breakfast order. After that, I moved to the first window to pick up my food. The smell of freshly cooked breakfast made me even more excited, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. 

When I reached the second window to pay, the cashier girl smiled at me and said, "You don't need to pay for your order. The lady in the car ahead of you paid for it." I was stunned. I glanced back, but the car that had cut in line was already gone. 

I drove away with my breakfast, feeling a bit confused but mostly touched. It was a nice reminder that there are some truly kind people out there, even if they might be in a hurry or facing an emergency. The unexpected gesture made my morning even brighter, and I decided to pass on the kindness in my own way someday.

PS: This is not a fiction.  True Story.  One more time this type of situation happened.  Going to San Francisco, at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza, the toll collector told me the car driver ahead of me  has paid for my toll charge also.

Ugly American

2024 Olympics – Basketball Final – Gold Medal Game – Team USA vs France. The great Victor Wembanyama was playing for France. Our own hero – Steph Curry of San Francisco Golden State Warriors was playing for team USA. He was instrumental in USA beating France 98 to 87 and USA winning the Gold Medal. 

And now the game ended. Steph Curry’s wife and kids and Curry’s mother were leaving the stadium. They were blocked to cross the street by the French Police. They do not speak French. The French police do not speak English. 

A passerby who was standing there, who can speak French and English, volunteered to translate. He told the Curry family they have blocked the crossing because the French President Emmanuel Macron who attended the USA-France Basketball Final was leaving and therefore had to block the roads so his convoy can go through freely.  The Curry family demanded they cross the road to their parked car.  But the French police were polite but firm and did not allow them to cross till the motorcade of the French President crosses the place.

But we Americans do not care. Now Ugly Americans come into the picture. Here are the comments in the American papers. Just like comments in the Indian press when things do not go the Indian way.

The French police are angry that USA beat France. (The French police were in the street and they do not even know the score) 

The French police are angry at Steph Curry because he was responsible for France’s loss and therefore, they are punishing Curry’s mother, wife, and kids. (The French Police do not even know who these people are in the street.) 

One San Franciscan wrote: Don’t they know Steph Curry is our hero and how dare they stop his family from crossing the street. 

I love Steph Curry.  This sounds like they were acting entitled.

Give me a break.

PS: A personal experience with French Police.  Long time ago, my wife and I were visiting Paris.  My brother was working and staying there in a fancy apartment. We stayed with him for a few days.  An important minister in the French Government was also staying in that apartment.  Therefore, there were a few police officers at the entrance to the apartment at all times.  When my wife and I were leaving to go back to USA, there was difficulty in putting our suitcases in the taxi.  The guarding French Police helped and made sure we had a smooth ride to the airport.

Walz is Veep Candidate

Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her Vice-Presidential Candidate. She was considering 6 people including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. 

There is generally a good opinion about Governor Walz. Here are some details. 

He is 60 years old and Governor of Minnesota. 

He is a war veteran having served in the Army National Guard.  He was a teacher for some years and coached the high school basketball team which won state championship. 

He was elected to the US Congress (Parliament) from 2006 to 2019, when he was elected Governor of Minnesota.  

One thing I like about him is that as a Governor he introduced free mid-day meals to school kids throughout the State. (Reminded me of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj who introduced free mid-day meals to school kids in the 1950s.) 

One criticism is that he is extreme left leaning. 

Harris and Walz jointly appeared this evening in Philadelphia and spoke to their supporters. Before that, Governor John Shapiro (who did not get the Veep nomination) gave a rousing speech. I was thinking this guy should have been picked as Veep by Kamala Harris. If he were to contest in 2028, I would seriously consider voting for him. 

After thought. Trump should have picked Tulsi Gabbard as his Vice Presidential candidate. She has all the qualifications. She was a Congresswoman, served in the Army as Lt. Colonel and saw action in Iraq, well liked by many in the Democratic Party (the opposition party).