There is a pretty universal gesture from one motorist to another to indicate displeasure, and a friendly wave is pretty universal for thanks, but why isn't there something for "don't worry about it". Example, I had to stop in my lane the other day because a big rig was making a turn and was blocking both lanes. He had to back up a few times to make the bend, and I had to come to a complete stop. I wasn't in any hurry, I was happy to sit and wait. I figured he was at work, having a bad day, and didn't need to be rushed by some impatient a-hole blowing a horn. But I could see that he was getting worried about backing up traffic and taking so long. I wished I could give him a sign: all was cool, take your time, I am in no rush, your not bothering me, dont fret, I'll get there when I get there..."
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:15 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:26 p.m. John Brown SuperDork
I "Hang loose" out the window, but a lot of people may think I am flipping them off as well.
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:27 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork
I just wave and give a look of "take your time"
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:42 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork
Try the OK sign. In South America.
Then run.
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:47 p.m. JFX001 HalfDork
Grtechguy wrote:
I just wave and give a look of "take your time"
Yep, I just hold up my hand, pause for a sec or two and finish it with a little wave.
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Feb. 23, 2009 6:54 p.m. procker New Reader
Make sure to smile or show some sort of emotion that doesn't read "you better hurry up or I'll get pissed"...maybe crank up the radio some and jam along to some bubble-gum pop song too...
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Feb. 23, 2009 7:40 p.m. mel_horn HalfDork
I give him room to get over, flash my lights, stick my hand out the window and give three quick waves. Never had a negative reaction so I assume it's pretty much universally accepted.
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Feb. 23, 2009 8:25 p.m. xci_ed6 New Reader
I'll click my headlights off for a second (leaving on the parking lights), then back on. It's similar to the signal truckers give each other to signal they are clear to enter a lane. They almost always flash their parking lights a few times, which is a thanks, I think. I do the same thing when they are blocking the road to make a turn, but will typically leave my headlights off until they are clear.
Works well for the interstates when trucks are trying to merge in traffic, if you're giving them space to enter, give the signal when they are looking in the mirror so they have space. Highbeam flash means the opposite, that there is no space and they should not merge.
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Feb. 23, 2009 8:36 p.m. amaff HalfDork
That's pretty much what I stick to ^^
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Feb. 23, 2009 8:45 p.m. ArtOfRuin HalfDork
I was driving home with a friend in the passenger seat once and encountered a similar situation with a tractor-trailer blocking lanes and having trouble making it through. My pal made a "don't worry about it" hand motion that made him unintentionally look like he was playing for the other team...
The
look on that trucker's face was priceless!
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Feb. 23, 2009 8:51 p.m. Woody Dork
Just smile and wave your Glock at them.
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Feb. 23, 2009 9:02 p.m. benzbaron Reader
I think the flashing of the lights works well. My pops and I drove to colorado with the pickup on bald tires and hit some snow, the only way to go was to get behind one of those things and let them part the snow. I like big truckers, they are trained drivers and drive much better than most of the public. I give them a lot of respect, the only guy who stopped when we ran out of gas was a trucker and he called AAA for us. A quick couple of flashes of the hi-beams followed by a move on through hand gesture should be all you need.
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Feb. 23, 2009 9:08 p.m. Xceler8x HalfDork
Wave and smile. That seems to work around my neck of the woods.
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Feb. 23, 2009 11:27 p.m. thatsnowinnebago HalfDork
Flash them, just not with your lights.
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Feb. 24, 2009 6:33 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork
thatsnowinnebago wrote:
Flash them, just not with your lights.
works best if you're a younger attractive female.
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Feb. 24, 2009 7:53 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
having been a trucker... I can tell you that I have been flashed.. and they were never young and never that attractive.
the flashing of the lights is one of the best things you can do.. it does let us know everything is clear and we can merge (or pull out) without too much worry. We have enough problems making sure the rear carriage does not run over somebody or something.
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Feb. 24, 2009 7:57 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
Flashing/Dimming lights it is then.
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Feb. 24, 2009 4:57 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader
Grtechguy wrote:
thatsnowinnebago wrote:
Flash them, just not with your lights.
works best if you're a younger attractive female.
yeah i like that idea. carry around an attractive young female and have her flash them. i would appreciate a long flash of that also.
