Do you wave "thanks" for courtesy?

[TheNoNamedOne]

Traffic can be quite bad here in Okinawa, and that means it is sometimes hard to change lanes or even pull out into a street from another street or driveway. Eventually some nice person will slow down and let you over or out. Do you take that for granted and just keep on a going without anymore thought to it, or do you give a back handed wave in your window as an appreciation of thanks?

I always do. And I do it with meaning. My wife even flashes her blinkers as she is bowing her head up and down (which I think is a little too much).

When I let people over and they fail to acknowledge that act of courtesy on my part, it disappoints me a little.

How do you think about these situations and what do you expect and do yourself?

[DoctorP]

I flash my hazzard lights as a sign. I am a pretty courteous driver and it also irks me when people do not drive politely. I have found (as I get older) that instead of "flipping them off" when they do something rude, that a very friendly wave actually gets to people even more.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I have found (as I get older) that instead of "flipping them off" when they do something rude, that a very friendly wave actually gets to people even more.

Out of the many years I have been driving, I think I can count on one hand where I reacted rude to rude driving manners.

But, Dr.P, what is the purpose of waving after they have already past you? Do you think they care enough about you to look in their rear view mirror? Besides, if they are in the other lane and refuse to let you over, just the diagonal angle would make it unlikely they could see you.

[DoctorP]

Out of the many years I have been driving, I think I can count on one hand where I reacted rude to rude driving manners.

But, Dr.P, what is the purpose of waving after they have already past you? Do you think they care enough about you to look in their rear view mirror? Besides, if they are in the other lane and refuse to let you over, just the diagonal angle would make it unlikely they could see you.

Who said it was them who passed me? I am a little aggressive at times (feel like I'm on Dr. Phil!). If someone cuts me off, I will pull up next to them, smile, and wave like they are an old friend! This really tends to tick them off, or maybe they think I am crazy...either way, it makes me feel better! Great way to let off steam...and no cop is going to listen if something were to happen, and the guy explains..."but he waved at me!"

[TheNoNamedOne]

Here in Okinawa, the speeds are pretty low and the traffic lights are a plenty, so because of that there really is no reason to not let people over when they signal the desire to get over.

What irks me is when I signal to get over and know damn well I could get over if the other driver keeps his present distance, all of a sudden speeds up and prevents me from getting over. I don't consider that cutting me off, but I do consider it as discourteous and it does tick me off.

In such cases there have been times when because of the flow of traffic I ended up next to them later down the road and gave them that uncomfortable grimace. That is when they try their best to keep looking straight ahead.

[dk]

I do the wave and the blinkers. :)

What irks me is when I signal to get over and know damn well I could get over if the other driver keeps his present distance, all of a sudden speeds up and prevents me from getting over. I don't consider that cutting me off, but I do consider it as discourteous and it does tick me off.
Taxi driver did this to me about 20 minutes ago.

[DoctorP]

In such cases there have been times when because of the flow of traffic I ended up next to them later down the road and gave them that uncomfortable grimace. That is when they try their best to keep looking straight ahead.

lol...my wife likes to give them her "evil eyes" when she is riding in the passenger seat with me!

Hell...a couple of weeks ago some guy cut me off (literally by inches) just before gate 1. I followed him (not intently, but we were going the same direction) and when the time allowed I attempted to change lanes in front of him again. He sped up and almost hit me, blasting on the horn. When we came to the next traffic light he rolled down the window and yelled at me "a#$hole I have kids in the car!" To that I responded "why are you driving like an a$$ then?", and waved nicely to him. He slowed down and didn't get close to me again. Childish on both parts? Yes...but I have to do my part to teach morons...no one else does!


Someone around here used to have a website call y-plate haters...don't know what happened to him though. I actually enjoyed his/her site!

[dk]

Someone around here used to have a website call y-plate haters...don't know what happened to him though. I actually enjoyed his/her site!
Next time I see him, I'll tell him he had a fan. :D

He's a friend of mine. I always told him that to be fair, he should make a section for me to gripe about yellow plate drivers. I don't mind y-plate drivers. At least they know how to step on the gas and use their freaking turning signals.

[DoctorP]

Next time I see him, I'll tell him he had a fan. :D

He's a friend of mine. I always told him that to be fair, he should make a section for me to gripe about yellow plate drivers.

ha ha...why did he take it down? Tell him I actually participated and sent him information!:D

[dk]

ha ha...why did he take it down? Tell him I actually participated and sent him information!:D
I don't know. He quit working at the place I work at and just got distracted with his new job I guess. I'll be meeting him in a week or two. I'll see if I can get him to consider putting it back up. I always just thought it was funny.

I made the logo. :D Well, I made a logo. I can't remember if it's the one he used. Mine said "Y-Plate Hater" and then right under that in smaller text "Because you drive like $hit". hehehe.

[DoctorP]

I made the logo. :D Well, I made a logo. I can't remember if it's the one he used. Mine said "Y-Plate Hater" and then right under that in smaller text "because you drive like ". hehehe.

lol...small island isn't it! Never know what your buddies are up to!:rolleyes:

That is why I always tell my wife "I can't cheat on you, if I tried, you'd probably know the girl!" lol

[dk]

lol...small island isn't it! Never know what your buddies are up to!:rolleyes:

That is why I always tell my wife "I can't cheat on you, if I tried, you'd probably know the girl!" lol
Yeah, when you work in a specialized field like IT, you pretty much usually know everyone else who works in IT. Or at least know of them.

[socalheart]

I always at least wave and nod gratitude for letting me in or pass. I also flash my hazard lights when let in front of someone. I even do the same when driving stateside. I am teaching my husband to do the same. He's okay with the waving, but not so much the lights.

I was all sorts of ticked off when I let in some American woman in a Y-plate from a parking lot, but she didn't even acknowledge it with a nod or smile. I mentally cursed her with getting stuck behind an old driver in a K-car. It's a common problem with minimal karmic backlash.

Americans are typically the rudest drivers about courtesy driving. They aren't ever grateful for the nice things people do for them. There are a few who have learned Japanese driving courtesy, but most don't bother.

On the other hand, I have a tendency to drive faster than most, but at least I signal. heh.

[TheNoNamedOne]

... but at least I signal. heh.


Sometimes I don't signal on purpose when changing lanes. It depends on what the driver looks like. If he or she just looks like a rude driver, I won't signal because I know that will cause them to speed up and block me.

In those cases I excell slightly and dart on over in front of their rude looking faces. Ha!

[dk]

Smart. I'm gonna have to try that.

[DoctorP]

I always at least wave and nod gratitude for letting me in or pass. I also flash my hazard lights when let in front of someone. I even do the same when driving stateside. I am teaching my husband to do the same. He's okay with the waving, but not so much the lights.

shame on you...husbands can't learn anything!


Americans are typically the rudest drivers about courtesy driving. They aren't ever grateful for the nice things people do for them. There are a few who have learned Japanese driving courtesy, but most don't bother.




speaking generally maybe...but where I grew up people are very courteous and friendly drivers. Slower drivers actually pull to the side, especially if they accidently pull out in front of you, and everyone waves at everyone else, even if they don't know each other...makes you feel all warm inside! Wait....no.....sorry...it was just a *hack*hack*hack* kiwi skin stuck in my throat!:p

[TheNoNamedOne]

Smart. I'm gonna have to try that.

And then after you've made your successful lane change in front of their rude faces, signal. Signal then!

[TheNoNamedOne]

Wait....no.....sorry...it was just a *hack*hack*hack* kiwi skin stuck in my throat!:p

No no no no! Kiwi is to be enjoyed at home -- not while driving, unless you have a subserviant Jpn wife or girlfriend who will place them in your mouth as she sits in the passenger seat -- with your permission of course.

[P_chan]

I try to drive politely, flashing my hazards and waving and such. But I find it hard once the traffic is really bad. If I spend too much time in bad traffic I get the **** you personality going and tend not to let anybody in front of me. But I've gotten better and haven't done that in a while.

[Bones]

Did I mention that I used to own a tree chipper? :)

Rude drivers were kinder to the blades than the heavy branches. ;)

And there were no "repeat offenders". :D

NBTP

[Tempestuous]

I actually still do the hazard flash for courteous drivers, usually a back hand wave too.

It seems common sense to acknowledge a courteous driver....I kind of get aggravated when I am kind and they don't even look twice.
I usually wave as I say- "yeah, you're welcome!"

One of my kid's has me scared already... (lol) he screams at other drivers if they get in front of us, saying they cut us off even when they use turn signals and safely & properly get in front of us. He is just a little intense. Hopefully he calms a bit in the next 7yrs before he is driving age.
Thinkin he is a little young for road rage, do they have therapy for road rage yet? Perhaps he should enroll? :D

[Tempestuous]

Sometimes I don't signal on purpose when changing lanes. It depends on what the driver looks like. If he or she just looks like a rude driver, I won't signal because I know that will cause them to speed up and block me.

In those cases I excell slightly and dart on over in front of their rude looking faces. Ha!


I was recently discussing with a friend I am a turn signal fanatic! We live off a road that has an 80 degree right hand curve and I find myself signaling all the damn time when I go that direction.....THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER WAY TO GO!! Unless you drive straight off the road into the ditch/shoulder.

I still find after all these yrs of driving I count the length of time my turn signal is on. Usually 3 seconds before I get over/start to slow and then my turn is usually 3 seconds from that point.
Kind of a weird obsession I have.

Usually works well and sometimes- yeah there is the rude driver who speeds up, but most are semi decent about it.
What I find the issue with is when you are desiring to merge and they could get over into another lane and just don't. GRRRR! :mad: That ticks me off.
I always highly praise those that actually DO get over.
As mentioned, I am sure that good deed will come back to them.

[wranglerpuff]

Thought i would jump into this one as well.

Me being from Texas, there is a way of driving down there that is unique.

As for this particular subject, the way I have been going about this is pretty simple.

There are two waves. The first is outside the drivers window to say thanks for slowing so that i can get in. The last is inbetween the driver and passenger headrests. this is to show that we are thankful, and just incase you didn't see the first wave. This isn't always followed in Texas, but it should. Same as the getting over on the shoulder to let someone pass you. but thats a story for a different thread

[coldnoodles]

Thought i would jump into this one as well.

Me being from Texas, there is a way of driving down there that is unique.

As for this particular subject, the way I have been going about this is pretty simple.

There are two waves. The first is outside the drivers window to say thanks for slowing so that i can get in. The last is inbetween the driver and passenger headrests. this is to show that we are thankful, and just incase you didn't see the first wave. This isn't always followed in Texas, but it should. Same as the getting over on the shoulder to let someone pass you. but thats a story for a different thread

From TX - do you stop at yield signs? And stop when it starts to rain?

We always flash the hazards lights, but when you do it on base to a y plate they think your car just broke down in front of them. I have had some y plates follow me and when I stoped somewhere they would get out yelling at me that I cut in front of them to flash my hazards cuz they slow down for me, and that is not a way to do when people are speeding! Here I was trying to explain to these morons about Japanese courteousy. I can't stand rude people or people who have no common sense!

When I am at a street light and cars coming out of street or turning I always let everyone thru. I always bow my head down. I had some chic really pissed off with me, she was a Y plate and behind me when I let about 10 cars do there turning in front of me and go thru to turn to right. It was a red light, even when it turned green I was still waiting for cars to move so I was still letting cars turn. By the time I got to the light it turned red, 5 cars ran a red light. This chic behind me kept honking her horn, yelling and screaming out the window, green light came and she was tailgating me. Here I went to Joyfull, she gets out and she was yelling at me like a drill sgt. telling me I made her late for work letting all those cars in, its all my fault, and so on. Here all the Japanese people looking at us. Here I had my kids with me, and this chic kept getting in my face. Here my kids were screaming and scared. If my kids weren't there I would have gone off on her. I walked off.

Even my husband will bow his head down, use hazard lights. Even backing up to park we use hazard lights.

[Fairlady]

I flash my lights from time to time or even wave with meaning when someone lets me go, however it is not too often so I don't often give thanks. *sigh*

[StreetBiker]

I'll give the 4 ways when someone lets me into traffic other than that not to much.

[yokotas13]

hazards only