Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Toll Manners

The other day I was given a ride to an event taking place in Kennett Square, PA. (Incidentally, I can only say 'Pee-Ayyy' now for that state, after my cousin Georgia heard someone say it and the pronunciation struck our fancy.)

Anyway, well before we approached the first toll gate I heard a great rustling in the back seat. I was so busy talking I wasn't paying any attention to the fact that we would soon need to come up with some money and the big unspoken issue was...who would pay?

A few dollar bills were thrust up to Elizabeth (the driver) between the seats. She protested and the ladies in back insisted. Reluctantly she took it. I began rooting around in my own wallet for the next opportunity to treat the toll.

I guess it's like the polite fights that ensue over who will get the lunch tab. I wonder if men fight as much as women for the privilege to pay? Also, is there an unwritten code of conduct for paying tolls? I assume that here in New Jersey, it's simply considered a nice way to say thank you if someone else is doing the driving. Especially when gas is well over $3.00 a gallon.

If there's more to it than that I'd appreciate someone filling me in.