A special chance meeting at a red light with someone of lesser intelligence who just cut you off and/or sped in front of you so that they could get in front of you. Usually the result of wasteful speeding and/or reckless driving.
1. A sudden encounter with economic reality that dramatically changes one's perceptions, plans or outlook.
2. A rude awakening to the stark differences between fantasy and actual life.
3. The dramatic change process that began in September 2008 with the collapse of the U.S. financial system.
Jean was planning to buy a vacation home in Hawaii until she had a Rendezvous with Reality -- her retirement fund had declined 50% since last fall.