The Intersection

A woman driving a small vintage Porsche arrived at an intersection at the same time as a man driving a dark green Mercedes-Benz.

There were no traffic lights and no stop signs.

The woman smiled politely and motioned for the man to go first.

The man smiled back and waved for her to proceed instead.

The woman insisted. The man did the same.

Both cars remained still in the middle of the quiet intersection.

A cyclist passed between them. A delivery van turned around and took another street.

Still, the woman and man continued signaling in turn through their windshields.

Cars slowly gathered behind them. Some drivers honked. Others drove away and found different roads.

After a while, their smiles began to wear out. Discomfort crept in.

Too many gestures had already been exchanged.

But, to suddenly drive forward first
would seem impolite.

The cars behind honked louder.

So, the woman gave what she thought was her final gesture for the man to proceed.

But the man did the same.

Each believed that after this final signal, the other would finally go.

Neither did.

The woman began to feel embarrassed for causing delay.

At exactly the same moment, the man reached the same conclusion.

Both pressed the accelerator together.

Their cars collided directly in the center of the intersection.