Whatever Happened to Road Manners?
3/6/08
Bring Back Politeness On and Off the Road
What is up with people these days? I’m not saying I’m the most polite person — truth be told, I can form a hurricane inside me when the situation calls for it — but I was raised to say “please” and “thank you,” RSVP to invitations on time, smile and nod through even the most boring of conversations, and be a gracious hostess and guest. These days, I feel like most of these things are totally lost on people. In short, people are rude, both on and off the road.
I’ve noticed that people don’t give a wave of thanks on the road anymore when someone lets them into their lane. Even if they were driving like a total jerk, historically, the motorist who was let in would give a happy wave of thanks. Nowadays, they’re too busy gossiping on their cell phone with one hand and eating something with the other. That being the case, it’s clear they don’t have a hand to wave with — in which case, what extremity are they using to drive? People, please make a point to wave to anyone who gives you help on the road. It’s the right thing to do and it doesn’t cost you a thing. In fact, it probably grants you some good karma.
While I’m on this subject, I might as well also ask all those manner-less fools out there to stop riding my tail if you think I’m not going fast enough (even though I’m going five mph over the speed limit). Go around me if you want to get a ticket so badly. And don’t swear at me just because you’re having a crappy day.
Call this my latest crusade, if you must, but I bet I’m not alone in noticing the deterioration of manners these days. Start smiling, start saying “please” and “thank you” — just plain old start spreading the love. If we all act together, maybe we can cause a manners revolution, both on and off the road.
Comments
You know, they say you can judge a country's level of civilization by the cleanliness of its public toilets and by the road manners of its drivers. Lately, both seem to be going down around here and I can't help but wonder why.
Posted by: L.S. | Mar 6, 2008 5:35:09 PM
here in Boston, where there's so much "culture," people are the meanest. people think you're stupid if you let other people go first, use your turn signal, etc. is it so bad everywhere nowadays?
Posted by: DL | Mar 6, 2008 6:46:44 PM
Gawd- it drives me nutz when I don't get the wave!
DL - you mention the signal not being used (another pet peeve). it's the easiest thing to do in the car and requires NO extra effort to use.
z
Posted by: zoe | Mar 7, 2008 12:13:31 PM
"While I’m on this subject, I might as well also ask all those manner-less fools out there to stop riding my tail if you think I’m not going fast enough (even though I’m going five mph over the speed limit). Go around me if you want to get a ticket so badly."
Courtney, you just spoke my mind!
You know what's worse? They cut in front recklessly (I mean if you don't brake when they cut, they'll take your front bumper off right at the spot), then drives slower than you do.
It happens to me all the time! I want to make a sticker on my car's back that says: 1.8L inside, what do you want?!
Posted by: J | Mar 7, 2008 4:54:41 PM
zoe,
I have to disagree.
Why? Because people drive with their knees nowadays; and it is so darn hard to free one of their hands from cell phone, cigarette, map, food, coffee, or whatever that is not supposed to be on that f-ing hand when driving, to move the turn signal lever.
Posted by: J | Mar 7, 2008 4:58:44 PM
I just wrote an article about the lack of courtesy on the road for a newsletter I publish for work, so I agree heartily that rudeness and agressiveness are rampant on the roads. The thing that really gets to me is how people pull out right in front of you, even though there is no one behind you, and all they would have had to do is wait 3 seconds more! And then these same people go so slowly once they pull out forcing you to slow down, and then they turn at the next corner without using their turn signals!
Posted by: Nancy | Mar 8, 2008 10:11:18 AM
So glad I'm not alone in my feelings - thank you all for your comments as it really underscores how bad the rudeness really is! Let's all just make a big effort to start showing people how to act politely!
Posted by: Courtney | Mar 10, 2008 12:38:12 PM
Nancy,
This just happened to me tonight.
I was accelerating to the speed limit from my tiny 1.8L on the right lane of a road that has 2 lanes on both sides. I've kind of figured it would take me 10-20 seconds before I catch up to the car in the front. So I let the one SUV on the left side come up to pass me. Guess what? As soon as she was right next to me, she slowed down to my speed and just looked at me for no reason whatsoever. (Maybe I do look attractive, that I don't know~ :P)
Then I changed lane to stick right behind her hoping she would be faster than the one on the right lane. Guess what? She was going at the same pace as the right lane Buick! I mean, for Christ sake! You are not going 38 on the left lane of a 50 mph road!
This is just so retarded and happens like a daily thing!
Posted by: J | Mar 10, 2008 9:41:57 PM
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I agree - I have the same peeve about holding doors open for people. If I see you coming in behind me, I'll keep the door open for you, but most people don't seem to do the same (and don't say thank you when I do it). I'm trying to teach my daughter to say thank you as much as possible, to the point where she is now thanking people for saying thank you to her! Excessive, maybe, but better than the alternative.
Posted by: Rae | Mar 6, 2008 3:44:47 PM