Driver idiosyncrasies - amusing, Try this....

[lazyitus]

and report back with your findings.

The scenario...

You are driving your car (usually in a built up area) down a narrow street which means that a person (normally a lady, but not always) is waiting for you to pass as there is only room for one car. You know the script, as you approach the patient driver, you get ready to acknowledge their patience with a quick flash of the lights or a hand up, or even just a cool finger pointing upwards from the top of the steering wheel. So you action your acknowledgement as you close in, aware that they are looking into your eyes, eagerly awaiting a satisfying thank-you. And then......

the clever bit..

As soon as you acknowledge, they look to their left !!! As if they don't want you to know they were waiting for a thank-you.

If you've never, ever noticed this - try it. Go on, just watch as you magically make them turn their heads with a simple flash or a hand gesture.



Disclaimer - it may take 2 or 3 attempts to see this in action for the first time and some may look to their right

[ikarl]

I thought I was the only person that noticed this....

[Meoricin]

lazyitus said:

and report back with your findings.

The scenario...

You are driving your car (usually in a built up area) down a narrow street which means that a person (normally a lady, but not always) is waiting for you to pass as there is only room for one car. You know the script, as you approach the patient driver, you get ready to acknowledge their patience with a quick flash of the lights or a hand up, or even just a cool finger pointing upwards from the top of the steering wheel. So you action your acknowledgement as you close in, aware that they are looking into your eyes, eagerly awaiting a satisfying thank-you. And then......

the clever bit..

As soon as you acknowledge, they look to their left !!! As if they don't want you to know they were waiting for a thank-you.

If you've never, ever noticed this - try it. Go on, just watch as you magically make them turn their heads with a simple flash or a hand gesture.



Disclaimer - it may take 2 or 3 attempts to see this in action for the first time and some may look to their right

They want to make sure they don't miss you saying thank you, before they check their mirrors ready to move out once you're past.

[Turbodiesel1690]

Maybe the miserable cows just don't want to have to acknowledge your acknowledgement so easier to just glance away?

[powwerr]

I know what you mean but im sure when im waiting on a thankyou or flash of lights etc, I am most likly glaring at the other driver whilst thinking to myself

"you better say thanks ya , you better say thanks ya you better say thanks ya ..... Cooool. No worries mate."

Definetly one of my biggest pet hates on the road is getting completly ignored for your kindness.

On another note, does anyone else do the "no problem/your welcome flash?"

i.e

Other driver indicating to come in your lane (can i come in?)

You flash and make gap (yea, on you go)

They put on hazards/ wave (thanks)

you, quick flash of the lights (no problem)


I may only do this if its either a nice car or a nice ladyperson.

Edited by powwerr on Wednesday 13th April 11:42

[lazyitus]

Turbodiesel1690 said:

Maybe the miserable cows just don't want to have to acknowledge your acknowledgement so easier to just glance away?

No, no - I'm sure it's a nervous thing going on.

[Caulkhead]

What's even more fun is when you have priority and the other car eventually stops very reluctantly, scowling as you draw near and you give them a huge grin and thumbs up which makes them scowl even more.

[lazyitus]

powwerr said:

I know what you mean but im sure when im waiting on a thankyou or flash of lights etc, I am most likly glaring at the other driver whilst thinking to myself

"you better say thanks ya , you better say thanks ya you better say thanks ya ..... Cooool. No worries mate."

Yes, I think blokes are more inclined to think this way. But instead of the 'no worries mate' bit, ladies tend to get fked up when they are acknowledged and their heads spin instead for some reason. I think it's 'cos these particular women are spoiling for an argument and it throws them off their path if you say thanks.

[Turbodiesel1690]

lazyitus said:

Yes, I think blokes are more inclined to think this way. But instead of the 'no worries mate' bit, ladies tend to get fked up when they are acknowledged and their heads spin instead for some reason. I think it's 'cos these particular women are spoiling for an argument and it throws them off their path if you say thanks.

Maybe its a simple case of having the painters in

[Nicol@]

Except for girls in minis. They just don't give way in the first place, or thank you for darting out of their way (observation from where I drive).

I normally look for the thanks (and then get slightly irritated when people don't).

[Steve Evil]

I usually give a little nod when they acknowledge that I've waited for them to come past, but I too will look for a sign from them and when I don't get it I'll have a little mini rant to myself along the lines of 'No problem at all you obnoxious ct!'

[GKP]

I think the real reason is the Lady glances at the driver of the oncoming car, then realises just what an absolute pig-ugly fellow the bloke behind the wheel is and has to avert her gaze for fear of bringing up a small amount of bile.

[jake15919]

powwerr said:

"you better say thanks ya , you better say thanks ya you better say thanks ya ..... Cooool. No worries mate."

Edited by powwerr on Wednesday 13th April 11:42

Worse when you very clearly mouth 'Ignorant c*nt' a millisecond before the thank you wave.

[Fat Audi 80]

powwerr said:

I know what you mean but im sure when im waiting on a thankyou or flash of lights etc, I am most likly glaring at the other driver whilst thinking to myself

"you better say thanks ya , you better say thanks ya you better say thanks ya ..... Cooool. No worries mate."

Definetly one of my biggest pet hates on the road is getting completly ignored for your kindness.

On another note, does anyone else do the "no problem/your welcome flash?"

i.e

Other driver indicating to come in your lane (can i come in?)

You flash and make gap (yea, on you go)

They put on hazards/ wave (thanks)

you, quick flash of the lights (no problem)


I may only do this if its either a nice car or a nice ladyperson.

Edited by powwerr on Wednesday 13th April 11:42

My wife always :lol: or if I do this with other drivers and thinks its a bit weird.

I like to think that the other person is a polite and keen driver and will appreciate the additional recognition of a well coordinated manoeuvre.

[benjfrst]

how about when this happens:-

wait to give way to someone, anticpate their thank you with (my own signature) four finger lift from the steering wheel

wife turns and says "what you waving for he never thanked you"

[Bridgewaterfalls]

If I'm owed a thank you wave and it looks like its not coming, I tend to smile and wave, saying you're welcome in an exagerated manner. 9 times out of 10 I get a sheepish thanks. The other 1 in 10 seem to be myopic, senile or orange suv drivers.

I find it amuses me, and stops my blood pressure rising.

[Twincam16]

Have you considered that they might be looking in their passenger-side mirror to see how much clearence they've got, or whether a cyclist is coming up behind them, before moving into the narrow lane you've just left?

[Ikemi]

I once received a salute from an old man with a proper 'WW2 RAF' style moustache for giving way on a narrow road

[lazyitus]

Twincam16 said:

Have you considered that they might be looking in their passenger-side mirror to see how much clearence they've got, or whether a cyclist is coming up behind them, before moving into the narrow lane you've just left?

Get a grip, TC.

[gherkins]

This never happens here in Munich - no one says thank you. When I stick my hand up to say thanks (on the very rare occasion someone lets me go), they often think I'm being rude or something.

It's weird driving in the UK for me now - I can't get used to people being considerate.