Comparison/Contrast

            
             What environmental aspects serve to alter people's behavior so greatly? Courtesy, politeness, compassion, and temperament seem to change in different environments, even when the activities are very similar. The most interesting facet of this phenomena, however, is that the people who own both boats and cars, act completely different during usage of each. .
             Owners of both cars and boats are involved in the same process, whether on the water or on the road: One of either driving or riding. Said owners are relatively affluent people, as there is a not-insubstantial monetary requirement for owning both a car and boat together. Generally, the same kind of social and racial strata is involved in boating, as well as driving. All creeds, sects, races, religions are equally welcome to partake in boating and driving.
             The majority of boating and driving occur at similar hours of the day (daylight hours) and under similar weather conditions (if given the choice). The responsibilities and dangers involved in both boating and driving are quite similar. Either mechanical device, if mistreated or used recklessly, can cause serious injury or death. Both boats and cars can break down, leaving their occupants in equally unenviable stranding. The fascinating thing is the dichotomy of behavior, when the same people that drove to the marina (behaving in a certain manner), get into their boats (and act in a totally different matter).
             The majority of people, when driving, will glance at other drivers momentarily to assure that they are not a threat, such as a car-jacker or homicidal maniac, and then will generally avoid eye contact. This is especially prevalent at stoplights in high crime areas, such as the area one drives through to get to the Bayshore Park boat ramp in East Naples. These same people, once on the waterway, will always nod or wave to each other cheerily as they pass by in their boats.