Yet another wonderful piece :)
Really love the psychological approach you applied in this at first glance ordinary situation. I don't know if other readers caught the moment you applied your listening skills, but I did enjoy it. You didn't hear what you wanted to hear, but rather what the driver actually told you.
In the world we live in, where everyone is trying to be more active and expressive, being a good listener is a valuable asset of one's personality. I think that we should talk more about how to listen.
All the best to you as always :))