Honk and the finger

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by DifferentPointofView

Aren't euro's like 1.80 per euro?

They're actually a lot closer to 1 euro per euro

But really.

At current exchange rates, 1 euro = 1.5188 US Dollars.

[RH77]

I've found that angry gestures responded with kind gestures are fodder for disaster.

I've been in similar situations, and it only makes the angry party that much more PO'd with a smile and wave.

One of the best things to do is to do the "I'm sorry" or "I surrender" with the hands up, gesture. Psychologically, the aggressor feels like they have "won" and violence is less likely to ensue. It's hard to do, but it's all a play on emotions.

I could tell a story of road rage and a Felony conviction, but I'm not at liberty to discuss the case. Let's just say the other party got REALLY upset with the smile and wave...

RH77

[DifferentPointofView]

They're actually a lot closer to 1 euro per euro

AH SNAP!!!! I screwed up Yea, I meant 1 euro for every 1.8 us dollars. But Thats what I was just guessing. 1.5 sounds about right. Man is it sure late...

[elhigh]

A Tahoe went roaring past me just last week as I was tooling along at 55 (in a 50 zone!), just past the engine's sweet spot, but mostly to keep everyone else from climbing up my tailpipe. My wife and I share the ride in our little car, and the Tahoe had the driver in it, and that was all. We shook our heads as he went by.

Then just two days later, what seemed to be the same guy (probably not, the Tahoe is popular) thundered past while still on the on-ramp, straddling the line! I had to jerk to one side so I didn't get sideswiped. Jeez, people! If you're running late, don't blame me for driving my speed! Leave earlier, drive slower, arrive relaxed!

At least, that's what I shout at the windshield. But I don't go waving any fingers at anybody around here.

[NoCO2]

O boy, here we go. Time for me to list off the number of things I have gotten in the last 2 months (since I started driving for FE).

1. Tailgated by SUV when I was doing 35 in a 35...heaven forbid I abide the speed limit.
2. Passed illegally while merging onto the highway, passed me on the separation lane between the merging traffic and highway traffic.
3. Passed illegally in a two way turn lane.
4. Cut off by someone who wanted to be in front of me in a turn lane, almost causing me to rear end him and the guy behind me to rear end me.


My favorite so far was the guy just 2 nights ago that passed me illegally. It's one of those double turn lanes where you can turn either way depending on the direction you're going and it eventually leads into a turn lane at a light (which is always red when you get to it). I'm using the hill to slow me down so when I get there I don't have to brake so much and the guy puts on his blinker to pass me in the double turn lane. So I do the same thing to keep him from doing it (I had had it by this point with people passing me illegally). He juts back over to the right lane out of frustration and passes me and then flies in front of me to cut me off but when he hits the brakes he hits a puddle, spins out into the intersection of traffic and ends up bottomed out in the median....I was laughing so hard I almost missed the light when it changed for me.

I really need a video camera in my car so I can submit some of this stuff to the cops.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by RH77

I've found that angry gestures responded with kind gestures are fodder for disaster.

I've been in similar situations, and it only makes the angry party that much more PO'd with a smile and wave.

One of the best things to do is to do the "I'm sorry" or "I surrender" with the hands up, gesture. Psychologically, the aggressor feels like they have "won" and violence is less likely to ensue. It's hard to do, but it's all a play on emotions.

I could tell a story of road rage and a Felony conviction, but I'm not at liberty to discuss the case. Let's just say the other party got REALLY upset with the smile and wave...

RH77

I play a different psychological game (at least when it's a guy causing trouble)... I blow them a big kiss. So many people (at least where I currently live) are quite homophobic - so much so that they are at a loss on how to react. I'll get a disgusted look and they get away as quickly as they can...

Tailgaters that are too close - bring on the washer fluid. Gotta keep the windscreen clean for safe driving

----
I'm typically more concerned about road rage on my bike while doing turns. People have this mentality that they just can't approach a red light behind a bike - the MUST be in front. They do some rather dangerous maneuvers attempting to do so...

[johnpr]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

----
I'm typically more concerned about road rage on my bike while doing turns. People have this mentality that they just can't approach a red light behind a bike - the MUST be in front. They do some rather dangerous maneuvers attempting to do so...

you know that is one of the biggest reasons ive never gotten a motorcycle, i have always been concerned with how people drive when they are around them.... thats for another thread though

[ankit]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

----
People have this mentality that they just can't approach a red light behind a bike -

I'm always a little bit nervous when I am behind a bike, it just wouldn't be the same as rear ending a car. So I am more careful, especially bikers in this area are kinda stupid and do tricks on the road, if they fall then I would end up running them over.

But onto my experience yesterday.....

I was merging onto a highway with a SL of 65 MPH and there were 3 cars in front of me. Well the first car's driver must have gotten confused and kept driving in the shoulder instead of merging. Then all of a sudden she got onto the highway but didn't speed up while the rest of us were going 55+. So everyone had to brake hard and I switched into the left lane avoiding a collision (rear ending a car while going 55+ would not be fun).

So, my teenager driver within came out and then I waved my hands in fury but didnt give the finger. I might have also cut her off short. I know, its not very hypermiler like.

Cliffs:I was the guy that you are all taking about in this thread, but I feel I had a real reason to be angry.

[ankit]

Okay the biggest coincidence...
(happened 3 minutes ago)
I was waiting at a redlight to turn right (there is an arrow) and some old woman behind my in a Sienna honks. There were cars coming and I had a red arrow. Then it turned green and not one second later she honked again (it was one of those rude long ones). So I turned at my normal slow rate and she honked again so I went slower than usual. She tried to cut me off by going in another lane and it didn't work out. Then I had to turn left and she got stuck behind me. GAVE ME THE FINGER AS I TURNED.

I laughed at the situation and the coincidence of me looking at this thread right before I left.

[trebuchet03]

On my ride home today... some ass decided to floor it for a few second as he passed me... in a diesel pickup - exhaust pointed my direction... There was a wee bit of black exhaust in my way for a few moments....