My Real-Life Seinfeld Moment: I Expect A "Thank-You-Wave" Dammit!!

[arwalden]

Is it too much for me to expect someone to acknowledge the fact that I did them a FAVOR by letting them have the right of way?

I always wave a "thank you" whenever another driver is courteous to me and lets me pull into busy stop-and-go traffic from a side street, or slows down a bit so that I can merge.

I also wave a "sorry, my fault" and "sorry, I didn't see you" whenever I cut-off another driver or whenever I change lanes on short notice.

And whatever happened to turn signals? Are MINE the only ones in the universe that still work?

Would it make me feel better if I simply STOPPED giving "thank you waves" and "sorry waves"... and if I STOPPED using my turn signal? Maybe then I wouldn't feel entitled to receive the same. Maybe.

(Thanks. I feel better now.)

-- Allen

[Boudicea]

1. That happens to me all the time, but I decided

that just b/c others are rude doesn't mean I should be so I keep on waving. :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I ALWAYS wave thank you if someone gets out of the left lane when

I am coming up fast behind them. I wave thank you if they let me in a lane as well...it's easy with a convertible top...most folks do get a smile from it and it reminds you that you are sharing the road with HUMANS.

Most of the time I GET a thank you if I let someone in too but there are a few morons that have no class.

[arwalden]

6. Please Tell Me You're Not One Of Those "HIGH-BEAM BLINKERS"...

...who try to tailgate and lock-bumpers and intimidate left-laners with ULTRA BRIGHT high-beam flashing.

Say it ain't so!

-- Allen

[cherryperry]

3. Allen, you should still be courteous IMHO, but

if I were you, I'd just be thankful those a-holes didn't take out a gun...you just never know!

:yourock:

[Kamika]

4. Now George.

You should wave and then let them pass you.. and if they dont wave i say push them off the road get out and bang their hood shouting I WAVED YOU SHOULD WAVE TOO!!!

[arwalden]

5. There You Go!

Someone should commission a scientific study on the road-rage phenomenon. Perhaps it's all linked directly to the lack of "thank you waves" and a lack of "sorry my fault waves".

You're on to something!!

-- Allen

[CarlBallard]

7. I get upset when I'm in the fast lane passing someone and

the person behind me is right on my tail. Look I'm pushing 70 here, and you can wait the 30 seconds it takes me to get around that semi. Or you can get a friend and use the carpool lane. I also always wave because why not give them incentive to let you in next time.

But usually I take the Bus or ride my bike (especally this lovely summer). So maybe I'm a freak.

[Crowdance]

8. I also thank those who cut me off

or make otherwise rude actions on the road. It usually embarasses the heck out of 'em. I figure it's no problem for me, it gives me a somewhat more attractive way to react, and maybe they'll think twice next time.

[LynneSin]

9. I always wave

it's just a polite thing to do!

[nuxvomica]

10. Keep in mind that some people can't wave and drive at the same time

Depending on the circumstances, it may be too awkward for the person to wave, especially if they are trying to watch the traffic in a different direction than you are. This has happened to me. I couldn't give a thank-you wave because the traffic situation demanded my attention.
What I hate are people that wave you through even though you don't have a clear enough line of sight to know whether other traffic might by coming alongside them. Sometimes they get angry that I'm not accepting their charitable gesture. :wtf: This goes back to an accident I had were someone waved me through a break in traffic and I was immediately hit by a car barreling though on their right.

[Cheswick2.0]

11. I always thank you wave

even when it 10 degree and I have to stick my poor little hand out the window of the car to be seen and thus let all that cold air in the car.

[arwalden]

12. That's So Sad...

... you're too nice for your own good.

-- Allen

[Kamika]

14. I also always thank you wave

But i just wave through my back window, they see it

[arwalden]

13. I Want A One Of Those DIGITAL L.E.D. Signs For My Rear Window...

One with pre-programmed messages that I can choose with the touch of a button.

1) Thanks!
2) Sorry!
3) Back off!
4) Gas Cap Open!
5) Dress Caught In Door!
6) Nice Car.
7) You're HOT!

[CarlBallard]

15. I could use one of those

But I'd probably abuse the "you're HOT" feature.

[trof]

16. Something cool I did:

I was on the entry ramp to a tollway. The lane I was trying to get into was jammed, bumper-to-bumper. No one would let me in. Finally a lady flashed her lights and motioned me in. When we finally crawled up to the 25 cent toll booth (this was several years ago) I gave the toll taker half a buck and said "this is for the nice lady behind me, too" and waved back at her as I pulled through.

About 5 miles later she pulled up on my left side and blew me a kiss.
Damn that felt good.

Having just completed a 3000 mile road trip, I'm seriously thinking about making up a sign to flash other drivers that says "Thank You" on one side and "JERK!" on the other.

[Forkboy]

17. The worst ones are

the women in Saabs and BMWs....never,never,never wave thank you.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. No, you're not the only one to do this

Though it's just common courtesy and not something you learn in Drivers' Ed.:shrug:

I always wave to acknowledge my thanks when someone stops to let me in traffic. I am always surprised, but it happens to me fairly often. Usually, it's some guy in a truck, which is even more surprising. Maybe my being blonde has something to do with it, but it is always a pleasant surprise and I am always grateful.:-)

Because I know how it feels to anticipate waiting all day to pull out, I have made it a point to return the favor, as long as I am not really pressed, which isn't often.:7

I identify with you on the lack of turn signals. More days than not, I feel as if I am living in a Driver Training film.
:scared:

Don't sink to the lowest common denominator by ceasing to be courteous. You imagine that it will make you feel better, but it won't. Your actions serve to remind others what civil behavior behind the wheel is supposed to be.:-)