17th Jun 2008
Etiquette and Society: Turnabout Man
While the title made me think it would be about how to safely make a u-turn, the 1936 Turnabout Man is actually about road rage. I waffled for a while whether to use this for an Etiquette film or a Driver’s Safety film; however, its messages have larger implications for societal etiquette, so you get it on a Tuesday.
The basic plot is simple: a driver magically begins to drive the way he lives his normal life (politely), and conduct himself the way he drives (not politely).
Reckless, rude driving has an interesting parallel with internet anonymity. In 1930, well before Teh Web, an automobile was the closest you could come to that, since the speed and enclosed vehicle effectively removed you from personal contact with pedestrians and other drivers. When there’s anonymity, it’s easier for the true nature of a person to show itself — through “road rage” or through ignorant, shortsighted, and rude discussions/comments on blogs and forums. I seriously doubt that people were constantly charming to each other before cars and computers (although who knows, I wasn’t alive then), but it must have been riskier to be a total asshole when you had to walk away from whoever you were insulting.
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