I guess I just have this thing about simple rules and laws. On my morning commute, as usual the traffic was backed up to Hell's Half-Acre on the I-15..
Well, this huge Ford Expedition decided to get over..not in front of me..but INTO my space..no turn signal, nothing..I honked once, but she continued to do it. At that point, I decided I was not going to give in. I would normally let someone over if they had their signal on. She had a ciggarette in one hand and talking on her cell phone with the other hand..I guess steering with her elbow?? So, I refused to budge and just kept my horn on for about 30 seconds until she gave up. When I continued past, she yelled at me in Spanish and gave me the finger. I just waved and smiled back. What would you have done? I drive a Toyota Corolla and I always signal..and wave when someone lets me over.
The rest of the time, she was behind me, all worked up on the phone and trying to eat a McSandwich or something in addition to everything. Just crazy.
2006-08-30 07:34:42 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Wow! Thanks for all the great answers and the support! It helps to have a little rant now and then. I am normally a very cautious driver and have a very clean driving record. I believe traffic rules are meant to be followed..I mean, how hard is it to use the flippin' turn signal? Really?
2006-08-31 05:27:16 · update #1
Good for you!!! I hate ignorant drivers! A turn signal is one thing but expecting to be let in b/c you just want in when and where is ignorant!! I've run people up to the point of the berm ending and they have to wait for somebody to let them in b/c of it. I get really mad too when i let somebody in and they don't thank me! HA If everyone could be as courteous as us the world would be a nice place - at least nicer to drive on! HAHA I do have to be careful - i live in Memphis now and i think half the people on the road don't have insurnace (not required to get a car here) and i'm scared somebody's gonna hit me without insurance, then i'm screeewed. They drive like kamakiziee pilots down here too - coming from Phila, PA to Memphis and i'm afraid of how they drive down here - you know there is something wrong! Anyway - good for you! :) Try blowing kisses to her next time - i did that once to somebody and it made her so mad it was funny!!
2006-08-30 07:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by Weasel 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Nope you were not mean at all, as a matter of fact you sound like me on the way to work in the morning, I find myself in the same type of situations all the time. People are jerks on the road and think they can do whatever they want to. How hard is it to signal. I would of done the same thing too, it would of pissed me off even more about that she was smoking a cigarette and on the phone. It seems like when people are smoking and driving they can't pay attention worth a damn, its even worse then being on the cell phone.
2006-08-30 14:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by Thandie 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you just have to take a stand and let the rude people of the world know that it's time they thought of someone other than themselves. I think what you did was understandable, not exactly courtious, but understandable and acceptable. Just be sure that you are being careful when you take a stand and never put yourself in danger. It's far better to let someone in line than to become injured.
I drive a corolla too and I know how you can sometimes feel invisible in a small car when it feels like the rest of the planet are practically driving tanks!
Take it easy - we all have those kind of frustrating days. Just try to be a better person than the crabby ones you run into.
2006-08-30 14:48:09 · answer #3 · answered by ms_know_it_all 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she would have run you off the road if you let her.
I think you did the right thing. You honked to let her know that you were there. There wasn't much else that you could do.
She should have either sped up to be a little bit in front of you so she could squeeze in or slowed down so that she could get behind you.
I'm the same way. I'll let 1 person in front of me. If they don't take the chance I give them, then too bad. But if their already parallel with me and I can't move over to the next lane. Then sorry, either speed up and squeeze in front or wait til someone else behind me lets you in. And if you don't have your blinker on, good luck!
2006-08-30 14:59:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't beat yourself up over this. As a general rule, polite and courteous behavior is the best manner to exemplify. However, even those of us that prefer to live life in this manner are sometimes pushed past our own breaking points.
You, my dear, did nothing wrong. You also smiled and waved instead of engaging in something more graphic, which would have been my first thought if this had happened to me. (And it does on a daily basis, but I have yet to give in to the temptation)
I applaud your restraint & I also am proud that you stood up for your rights and didn't allow someone to push you around. You handled it much better than I probably will when I finally lose my temper.
2006-08-30 14:42:23 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Highway 15 - an SUV - blonde woman - cig and cup of coffee in one hand cell phone in the other?? This is crazy...literally that all happened to me yesterday going home....she kept swerving almost into my lane (I was on the left) I could not tell if she was loosing control of her vehicle or wanted over, no blinker.....she finally did make it over...I watched her in my rear view mirror for a bit wondering how in the world she was driving with no hands....
Here is where I got bad - after our speed built up to almost 55 I hit my brakes pretty hard, then quickly applied my gas. I know she dropped the coffee I am not sure if she held on to the cig!
2006-08-30 15:20:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'd say you handled the situation very well. Giving her the finger back, screaming obscenities or anything else of that nature would have exasperated the situation. The only places I've ever been to where that type of behavior is commonplace Boston/southeastern Mass (where I live) and NYC. You came out as the better person, and you should be proud. :-)
2006-08-30 15:15:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everyone, and may also add "I HATE SUV's".
I commute through some of the worst traffic in the country as well. I have installed air horns in my car just for this reason, and let me tell you even the SUV heads take notice with those blasting in their ears.
Bring back stationwagons.
2006-08-30 14:51:13 · answer #8 · answered by Big D 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
GOOD FOR YOU!
I am so sick and tired of people trying to "multi task" as they drive! I even got a bumper sticker that says "HANG UP AND DRIVE". And, I am NOT a bumper sticker kind of person.
Unfortunately, you could have very easily ended up squished. But I applaud your tenacity.
If people can't drive defensively and skillfully, then they need to walk or take the bus. Aggressive, mindless, and RUDE driving just really chaps my cookies.
(getting off my soap box now).
2006-08-30 14:43:45 · answer #9 · answered by rhubarb3142 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree that you did the right thing. I hate people that are inconsiderate of others when it comes to driving. She should have been paying attention to what she was doing instead of smoking a cigarette and talking on her cell phone. Great job on how you handled the situation!!!
2006-08-30 14:43:58 · answer #10 · answered by mandm 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋