ANNOTATED
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE AGE OF RAGE
The
People’s Rage
March 5, 2001
*Click to jump to the particular section*
Air Rage:
This is a very interesting article on the growing problem with air rage. With fuller planes and the reduced service by the airline industry, this type of rage is just waiting to happen. This is exactly what happened with automobiles and everything else. With the growing demand for space and dominance, rage in our society will always be there.
Assaults on crewmembers rose five percent from 1995 to 1996, and although the numbers aren’t yet in for last year, the Association of Flight Attendants in Washington, D.C., confirms that the trend shows no sign of slowing.
There was one section that showed how bad Air Rage is becoming. On Oct. 20, 1995, when crew members denied him another drink, the already intoxicated man "pulled his pants and underwear down and proceeded to defecate on the floor, cart and in the lavatory sink in the bathroom," according to the report.
I’m happy to say that there is a technique that the article mentions in reducing your air rage. First, take a deep breath and try the following.
|
Share. Talk to the passenger next to
you, and use humor to defuse a potentially explosive situation. "Never
worry alone," advises Hallowell. "Don't just sit there and stew,
because that's when you can go off half-cocked." |
|
Abstain. Some people just go to sleep
when they've had one too many, but others fly into a rage. Hallowell advises those
who know they become mad drunks to keep away from the liquor. Besides,
drinking on planes dehydrates you faster. |
|
Exercise. A stretch or a stroll down the
aisle can help relieve tensions and lessen anger. "Walk to the restroom,
splash some water on your face, and then go back to your seat," says
Hallowell. "That can help you get out of the rage state you're in."
|
My initial reaction to this article was surprising. I hadn’t realized how bad Air Rage has really become. I’m happy though that more individuals are recognizing this problem and are thinking up ways in reducing them. I guess with everything else, Air Rage is eventually going to become a problem. What do you think?
Original article can be seen by clicking here.
"Air Rage" Caused by Intentional
Oxygen Deprivation; Airlines reduce oxygen to increase revenues
This article gave some examples of air rage and the great lengths that passengers are going to get what they want. If you want to read some incidents of air rage of passenger, you can click here.
Who is responsible? The airlines must accept the major portion of the blame, but here's why, numbered 1 through 5:
1) Airline management is not responding to the need for in-flight security. Crews should not be in the position to be bouncers and bodyguards.
2) One more cause of air rage is certainly the in-flight cabin environment--a place that is high in toxic chemicals and allergens, and low in air pressure and oxygen.
3) Still another culprit, high on the list of
irritations for airline passengers, is cramped "sardine seating."
Airline seats are now as small as seats on subway trains, and with many flights lasting longer, passengers feel
they are packed like sardines in a can, or chickens in crowded cages. Is it any
wonder they peck peevishly at those around them?
4) The difference between passenger expectations for comfort and service and the reality of what awaits them on board, especially in coach class, is no doubt another contributor to the increase of air rage. Airline ads still show flight attendants answering passengers' every wish. This is not possible because all the airlines have downsized to save money.
5) Alcohol and altitude don't mix. The inside of the airplane cabin is 8,000
feet. Passengers are affected by alcohol more quickly than they realize at high
altitudes. Drinking
dehydrates people
and this can lead to irritability, fatigue and tunnel vision. Since alcohol
also lowers the inhibitions why should we be surprised that it also magnifies
the emotional reaction to the difficult flying environment? Most air rage
incidents have been alcohol related.
|
Here's
what to do: |
-- Rather than confront the offender directly, leave your seat and seek out the purser or senior flight attendant. The purser is usually found in first class, so bypass the flight attendants in coach. Give the purser the row and seat number of the unruly passenger. Remain calm and communicate clearly. -- And if you have a tendency to be an unruly passenger, here's what you might consider. The airplane is a microcosm of humanity. There are high-techies next to hikers, politicians next to pilgrims, and business flyers next to bawdy kids. Keep in mind that the trip is a challenge for everyone on board. Tolerance and gestures of gentility could make your flights more pleasant--for you, and for everyone around you as well. Please! Think what you can do to make it easier for others. Say "please." Be kind. Act on your compassion. |
Overall, I agree with this article. There are many factors that contribute to the passenger’s behavior. However, I don’t feel that the airlines should take the bulk of the blame. I believe if the airline did everything that they could to please a passenger and he still acted rudely. Then I think that it is the passengers that should be at fault. Sometimes I feel that passengers act like this because they know they can in some sort or fashion.
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Shopping Rage:
This was very interesting article to read because it talked about the tempers of shoppers during the holiday season. Everyone knows how bad it gets this time of the year, so I really wanted to read this particular article. When I read the first paragraph, it gave a real situation where an angry customer was caught on tape assaulting a salesperson. Apparently, this impatient shopper was waiting in line and asked the salesperson for a different size dress. The salesperson reportedly rolled her eyes and then the shopper assaulted her. The shopper turned and threw her to the ground and started punching her in the head. Wow, doesn’t this sound like something you hear about only in movies.
My initial reaction to this article was shock. I can’t believe that some people can act in this kind of way. As for me, I learned how to accept that I won’t always be treated with the greatest respect. Especially on the holidays, this individual should have already known before going to the mall that this would happen. It’s all over the news and it’s common sense.
Other then the common reasons for this type of behavior. For example, crowded malls, no parking, angry shoppers, and salespeople. There are some suggestions given in the article, which was given to help to reduce this anxiety. 1) Retailer’s need to do a better job training their employees in defusing volatile situations. 2) There needs to be more understanding in the salesperson. They don’t get what will happen if somebody is upset or frustrated. That is where I think some of these issues are coming from.
Finally, people are so busy that they seem to stop utilizing their stress relievers. Whether it is exercise, nutrition, or relaxation, those are the first things to go during the holidays. There needs to be a time for them to be alone and relax. Even if it’s only a couple of minutes a day!!
Original can be seen by clicking here.
This article shows that the holiday season doesn’t always bring out the best in people. Especially during the holiday season, people are always trying to do too much things in to short amount of a time. However, the sad part of this is the innocent people that have to deal with these rude and in considerate people. The article also mentions that people with lower status usually are the first to fall victim to these “Ragers”. Sorry to say that I have witnessed this and something should be done about it.
Another aspect that I thought was interesting was that it gave a little information on the hot-tempered zones. First and foremost is the mall. There are the crowds, lines, and parking hassles to set the stage for a meltdown of manners.
"I think the holiday rudeness gets worse every year," says Lysa Davies, who has been waiting on people in restaurants and bars in the Sacramento area for half of her 32 years. "I think it's probably just the hustle and bustle; there's never enough time and people have too much to do and they're all on their cell phones and they want their food in a hurry." I really feel for these people and give them a lot of credit.
Another aspect that leads to shopping rage is that shoppers have unrealistic expectations. People think that they can do a certain amount of things in a little amount of time. But when they can’t accomplish this they get enraged and thus leading to disgruntled citizens. People have to think realistically especially during this time of the year.
Here are some tips
for keeping your cool:
After reading the entire article, I found myself totally agreeing to what the author had to say. During the holidays, there is addition stress and people try to take on too much. People have to learn that there only humans and if one thing isn’t finished then there’s always tomorrow. If this doesn’t work then maybe they should try to prioritize. Finish the important things and try not worrying about the little ones.
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Emergency Vehicle Rage:
This is an interesting article on how EMV (Emergency Response Vehicles) are also contributing to the increase in traffic fatales and injury. A review of 1997 statistics by the auto club of Southern California found that, in California alone, emergency vehicles were involved in 21 fatal and 1,839 injury traffic collisions. Motorists were at fault in 75 percent of fatal collisions and 63 percent of injury collisions. I found this article to be a very eye-opening subject because EMV’s suppose to be saving lives. When the EMV is on the move to help someone they are also contributing to more accidents.
Something that I found to be very beneficial is the section on the eight keys when meeting with emergency vehicles. To see them you can click on the link on the bottom of this section. In my experience, I don’t believe that people know what the proper/safest procedure is when stopping the vehicle. I believe that more people should take notice of this and if I were an EMT it probably would help me a lot.
Basically, all motorists should remember that emergency vehicles are exempted from certain rules of the road-they are allowed to cross red lights, exceed the speed limit, and use any lane if safe to do so. They must bring people with emergency to the hospital as fast and safe as possible. In order for this to occur there is going to have to be more training or laws to help reduce the number of traffic accidents that they might contribute to.
The original article can be seen by clicking here.
Surfing Rage:
This article shows the reality of “Surf Rage”. Nat Young was assaulted in March last year at Angourie Point in Australia. He was left with shattered cheekbones and broken eye sockets. This doesn’t include the emotional scars that he will have to care for the rest of his life.
When I first came to this sight, I thought it was pretty interesting because it was about surfing. But after reading the article it really hit home. I know never got into a fight here before, but I had a couple of good arguments. I started thinking to myself what would have happened if I did get into a fight. Would I be the one all busted up or will I had done this kind of damage. Whatever it maybe, I wouldn’t have liked any of these outcomes.
Now, Nat Young is launching his latest book, Surf Rage, an attempt to educate surfers and the general public. With contributions from a dozen writers and psychologists, all of them surfers, the book details the hilarious but occasionally ugly reality of a highly romanticized life chasing waves. With the growing popularity of surfing there will of course be more people in the water. The waves aren’t like roads where you can just build more when congestion gets really bad. Good surf points are limited and when there are more individuals trying to ride them. There will be more arguments and fighting over them. There needs to be more education about water safety and etiquette. Just like we have driving classes maybe we might want to consider water classes??? Nah, maybe not!!
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Blood
on the waves as 'Surf Rage' rises
Blood is being spilled on our beaches everyday for the right to ride “waves”. This is reality and this trend seems to be only getting worst. Blood has also been spilled on the isolated reefs of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Indonesia and the South Pacific, once idyllic destinations of perfect, empty waves.
There are many traditions in the past that locals have assaulted other surfers when they surfed at their spots. For example, in Hawaii the infamous Hui dictate the surf law and locals and fists rule. A Hawaiian local once offered a $25 bounty for every Brazilian surfer punched in the head while surfing. Presently, this type of activity isn’t seen much today but there are still some incidents of assaults among people.
My initial reaction to this article was fascination. But, after reading the entire article, I found my self not really liking it. It gave a lot of incidents of surf rage but I felt that the author should have given more points in reducing these kinds of behavior. I’m not saying that these kinds of articles are bad. But it might give people ideas that committing these kinds of behavior are ok. There should be stricter penalties on individual’s that commit these types of crimes. This or more education will be the only way to reduce this growing epidemic.
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Cell-Phone Rage:
This article focused on the growing technology that we are experiencing right now. Technology is growing so fast that some people are thinking that we need more laws to govern how we use it. The major objection presently is the use of cell phones while driving. Many individuals believe that we need new laws to prevent irresponsible accidents due to cell phones. But some lawmakers say that a rush to pass new laws may not be the best answer. Technology is moving too quickly. In a couple of years, people may simply consider it irresponsible to use a car phone without a headset and a built-in system that dials numbers by voice command.
Georgia
State Rep. Barbara Mobley, D-Dekalb County, who has tried for three years to
pass a law punishing those who use the phone while driving, took up the Byrl’s
case. But the proposed legislation has gone nowhere. The cellular industry is
against it and drivers refuse to give up their phones. This is one of the major obstacles that they
are going to try to get around from.
Mostly everyone in our society has a cell phone and now body what’s to
be restricted when they car use them or not.
I totally agree with this and I don’t want to be told where and when I
can use my cell phone. There has to be
another way to prevent accidents. With
all the technology coming out right now, I find it hard to believe that
scientist’s can’t invent something to make cell phones safer.
Finally, even though the cell phone, the computer and the Internet have all brought along unexpected dangers, so many people have come to depend on them that the laws limiting them may be impossible to enforce. The cell phone is becoming such a big influence of people’s lives that even with these laws nothing would really change. I think that these laws will be useless and new ways or technology has to be developed to make driving safer.
Original can be seen by clicking here.
This article was very interesting because it talked about the growing complaints about cell phone rudeness. With more than one million U.S. users and growing there is no doubt that problems will arise. Even the phone giant, the Nokia Corp. took part in Cell Phone Courtesy Week in San Diego in July. They handed out “Quiet Zone” tickers to businesses. The Mayor of San Diego responded to this problem when 73 percent of nearly 5,300 people responded to a web survey.
The article also gives many examples of the public’s aggravation level. Doctors at a Toronto hospital report treating both mobile phone talkers and irritated bystanders for black eyes and even a cracked rib after eruptions of “cell phone rage.” As you can see, the aggravation level is getting worst and something must be done.
The one example that I really liked was from the Sociologist Jill Stein where she says, “While the novelty of cell phones is wearing off, people still feel important when they use them in public: “Now everyone gets to be a big shot.” I thought that this quote was ridiculous. I don’t people talk on there cell phones to look like a big shot. I admit that the younger crowd might do this, but I feel that the older cell phone users have grown past that already.
My initial reaction to this article was amazement. I was so happy to see people speaking out about this growing problem. There are so many incidents when you’re just trying to concrete on something and then a cell phone/pager will go off. As a college student, I can relate to how these individuals feel.
For information on cell-phone etiquette: http://www.earthvisioncellular.com/etiquette.html
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Parking Rage:
This article talks about increasing incidents of parking rage. The article gave responses and examples of individuals that agree that parking rage is on a rise. The article also says that, “Parking rage, like road rage and its predecessor, urban rage, is the result of too many people (cars) in to small of a space.” I totally agree with this argument. This is a good example of what’s happening here in Hawaii. There are so much people coming in then going out of the island that sooner or later something is going to burst. We already see this in our morning and afternoon traffic every weekday and analysis predict that it’s not going to get any better.
I know that the government is trying to find a new mass transit system but their going to have to hurry. The incidents of parking and road rage are at a record high and incidents of road rage have already been seen in our Aloha State. I heard something that the government was looking at a new bus system but I haven’t heard of it lately.
I know for a fact that if the congestion decreased we would have a substantial decrease in road rage. Also, another important problem that we see here is that most people don’t feel that this as a major problem yet. The community is more interested in building new houses and paying for salaries that they seem to have forgot about the people. Maybe when we elect a new mayor or governor for our state or have one that listens to what we have to say.
Original can be seen by clicking here.
Click here to see if you suffer from an Anger Disorder: http://www.liii.com/~fantine/anger1.html
1. Dr.Driving.org
2. Road Rage and Aggressive Driving, by Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl
If you have any questions or comments, write to me!
Updated on: March 20, 2001