Unfazed, the elderly man inched across Elizabeth Street.
As the honker discovered, Mr. Garcia travels at his own pace. He uses a standard walker, the kind that has no wheels.
To be sure, he would move faster—and ruffle fewer feathers—if he used a motorized wheelchair.
But if Mr. Garcia got in the habit of using someone else's wheels, he would soon lose the ability to get around on his own legs.
The day I met Mr. Garcia, he was inching across Adams Street. "May I help you?" I said. Mr. Garcia smiled, but he didn't need my help. He just needed time.
"Honk!" roared the Mercedes Benz on Elizabeth Street. The honker grimaced and threw up his arms. Mr. Garcia finally stepped out of the way.
If I could have spoken to the honker in the Mercedes Benz, I would have told him that his honking didn't sound encouraging. His honking was, well, just honking.
If you want to know the difference, don't ask the man in the Mercedes. He doesn't know.
If you really want to know, ask the experts—ask the geese.
Download the attached slideshow to see what I mean.
