Like, if you accidentally cut someone off, and they get mad and honk, how do you apologize?
How do you communicate "sorry, my bad" when you make a mistake while driving?
Submitted 2 days ago by sheridan@lemmy.world to nostupidquestions@lemmy.world
Comments
noxypaws@pawb.social 6 hours ago
bitjunkie@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
🚬😎🖕
Crazyslinkz@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Hand up, and bow head.
Zonetrooper@lemmy.world 2 days ago
This. It says, “I acknowledge you are upset, and accept blame.”
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Instructions unclear. Ended up doing the wave (like you see at baseball stadiums) alone in a car.
rmuk@feddit.uk 10 hours ago
I have a 52" screen mounted to the tailgate connected to a laptop on the passenger seat with a bunch of PowerPoints queued up.
Sorry.pptx SorryNotSorry.pptx Thankyou.pptx NiceDrivingDipshit.pptx YouBlindMotherfucker.pptx Appreciated.pptx ILoveYourSprinterTruanoAE86ItsJustLikeTheOneFromInitialD.pptx
Not all of those get a lot of use. I’ve never used SorryNotSorry.pptx, for example
AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
Funny, I know the Sprinter Trueno from either Forza Motorsport 2 or 3, Gran Turismo 3, or Sega GT 2002. It may have actually features in two or all three of those games.
mavu@discuss.tchncs.de 6 hours ago
middle finger
bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 10 hours ago
Most people follow and likely understand the manual hazard lights.
Two blinks in the tempo of “I’m sorry”.
I’ve made mistakes before and did so, sometimes they flash one quick blink of high beams to acknowledge.
eldoom@lemmy.ml 5 hours ago
I thought two blinks was thank you? Are you telling me I’ve been going around apologizing to people for letting me in?
bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
Its contextual, and cab be both :)
I use it for thank you as well. But OP asked about apologies
tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 14 hours ago
Here in the UK, turning on your hazards for a couple of flashes means either “Thank you” or “sorry” to the car following, depending on context.
Someone let you merge in? "Thank you!*
You cut someone off? “Sorry!”
Zorg@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 hours ago
In Sweden they blink left-right-left or right-left-right.
tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 12 hours ago
Same here in UK honestly - it’s that or the hazards, they both sebd the same message :)
Probably down to whichever is easiest. I’ve personally observed that drivers of big trucks tend to do the indicator thing, while most people in cars do the hazards. Not sure if there’s a specific trucker reason for that divide!
boonhet@sopuli.xyz 12 hours ago
Same in Estonia, seems continent-wide basically.
Truck gives you 2-3 flashes of the right (left in the UK I suppose) turn signal in the middle of the road, they want you to pass because the road’s clear and they don’t want a convoy forming behind them. So you pass and flash the hazards to thank them. Sometimes they’ll flash their brights as “you’re welcome” during daytime.
We can be completely self-centered assholes on the road, but we keep our common courtesy.
bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 10 hours ago
In America I do the turn signal hint as well. It seems no one gets the context, even when I can tell by their behavior (body language)?
That they desperately want to pass, and I want them to pass before I do (left lane is open).
theTarrasque@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
Same in Germany! I mostly use it to signal „ thank you“ though. Usually the reply is flashing the high beams once very quickly.
Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 13 hours ago
Huh. Same in Korea. Which was odd to me when I moved here since I’m from Canada and it is not the practice there.
tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 12 hours ago
Weird. You’d think Canadians at least would have a way to say sorry ;P
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 13 hours ago
People will not think “oh, he just made a mistake, bless his soul”. Instead of thinking “fucking asshole” they will simply think “fucking idiot”. Just keep driving, focus and try to make less mistakes.
One time a guy rear ended me (lightly, no damage) and when we got out he said “sorry, I started breaking but it was too late”. I just laughed at how silly it sounded. Like yeah, the whole point of breaking is to stop before you hit someone. I think “sorry, I’m a bad driver” would be more honest. Hey, maybe that’s a solution? Put a neon sign that says “shitty driver, sorry” in your back window and turn it on when you make mistakes.
And don’t get me wrong, I know everyone makes mistakes. I just think "being sorry’ is simply another excuse. “It wasn’t on purpose so it’s fine”. It’s still not fine. If it’s happens rarely don’t worry and keep driving. If it happens often get some extra classes or stop driving.
MantisToboggon@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I have a huge purple dildo. I just start beating myself about the head and shoulders.
UndulyUnruly@lemmy.world 2 days ago
What about the “sorry, my bad” while driving though?
actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
You can do that at the same time as beating yourself with the purple dildo
anton@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
It’s performative self-flagellation, same as you would do in any religious event or office setting. The pink dildo is just for better visibility.
Rhoeri@piefed.world 2 days ago
Otherwise known as a catholic penance.
Akasazh@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Found the saints row player
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Mantis starts beating off with a purple dildo
Me: “…the fuck is he doing?”
diabetic_porcupine@lemmy.world 22 hours ago
Middle finger possibly brake check
Leather@lemmy.world 16 hours ago
Sounds like NE USA, but where is the swearing?
KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 1 day ago
Flash the hazards twice, also works as a thank you for letting me merge in or whatever, it’s pretty common in the UK.
I have gone to using a single hazard flash when people are in front of me as well instead of flashing high beams(reserved as the head tap equivalent for cars) because I hate when people blind me at night trying to thank me… high beams are way brighter than they used to be.
ExtremeUnicorn@feddit.org 15 hours ago
This is SO true. I let a few people pass at a narrowing in the evening and they sometimes thanked me by blinding me temporarily. Like, I appreciate the gratitude, but just don’t.
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 2 days ago
I think the fact that there isn’t a good way I think escalates a lot of otherwise defusable road rage situations.
snooggums@piefed.world 2 days ago
Many people who get angry at strangers easily see someone apologizing as legitimatizing their anger, and people not apologizing as not understanding they are wrong. I don’t think there is a good solution if people can’t just accept that other people make mistakes and move on without any needed follow up.
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 day ago
Hard disagree, everyday life is full of defused accidental escalations because pointless escalations benefit no one.
FrChazzz@lemmus.org 21 hours ago
I live in Hawai’i and, as far as I can tell, we have far fewer road rage incidents than other parts of the US (but not zero). I honestly think a lot of it has to do with us having a third hand-gesture: the shaka (I mention this elsewhere in this discussion). The shaka is truly amazing. You give it when someone lets you in the lane AND you can give it when you mess up and everyone understands that it’s you admitting your mistake. Might even get a shaka in response for giving the penitential one. It’s awesome.
nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de 11 hours ago
Telling people in New England to use the Shaka hand gesture is gonna end up a lot different.
Best case scenario, they think it’s the “I love you” hand sign. 🤟
FrChazzz@lemmus.org 21 hours ago
Here in Hawai’i it is likely that we will give a sheepish shaka as the driver passes. Might get a tense shaka in response. I am in no way kidding about this.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Sorry? Hell naw. Double down. Make it their fault. Get even more mad than them. Brandish your gun. Then brandish your second gun. Fire a warning shot towards their vehicle. Finish your beer in case you need to get out of the car. Challenge other driver to fisticuffs. Lose. Go home and explain to wife why you lost another fight. Get sad. Go to bar. Get really drunk. Pass out on stoop of the Wayne County Building. Miss work for the 3rd time this month. Get fired. Get kicked out of house by wife. Move into bachelor apartment. No artwork on walls. Only Kroger brand bread, condiments, and cheese slices in fridge. See kids every other weekend. Start going to AA meetings on a whim. Find new job. Hit the gym. Find new hobbies. Meet new girlfriend. Come to terms with faults and find peace through meditation and mindfulness. Experience growth. Drive to work one day. Accidentally cut a guy off…
anomnom@sh.itjust.works 11 hours ago
The figure 8 of life
sik0fewl@piefed.ca 2 days ago
I usually just honk “SORRY” in Morse code.
Sidyctism2@discuss.tchncs.de 16 hours ago
… — .-. .-. -.-- for anyone who wants to try
nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de 11 hours ago
That’s an absurd amount if honking.
Try and record it if you do.
Septimaeus@infosec.pub 2 days ago
Mount one of these in your rear window? Neon style LED wall art script saying “chill”
Real answer: double tap a light (beams, brakes, or hazards) because most things you would say to them are two beat’s long:
- “Thank you”
- ”Sorry”
- “My bad”
- ”Go on”
- ”Nice drift”
- ”You drunk?”
Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I once got an A on an anthropology paper by analyzing body language in vehicles and different driving cultures in different places.
Septimaeus@infosec.pub 2 days ago
Rock on. Were there any instances of local parlance you found peculiar or surprising?
SendMePhotos@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I remember reading a while back that the hazards twice = thank you.
Septimaeus@infosec.pub 1 day ago
I’d certainly interpret it that way if it fit.
The only issue I’d see with that convention is that in many scenarios in which you’d use it — other driver makes room for you to merge, brakes early to let you turn left, and so forth — you (should) already have half of the hazard lights actively repeating, which could muddle the message. But otherwise I like it.
Another random convention I learned early on was rapid triple-tap beams (i.e., like a strobe) = “speed trap ahead”
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
I’ve mostly seen the double-flick of lights to mean either “Go ahead, make your move, I see you and I won’t hit you” (to pedestrians or someone waiting to turn into/out of a driveway in heavy traffic) or “turn on your lights you idiot, it’s pouring rain.” But it’s always heavy traffic in Southern California, and it never rains, but man, it pours.
violetring@lemmy.world 1 day ago
For me, I go with:
One long honk : PAY ATTENTION! Right now to avoid an accident!
One short honk: hey bud, not mad but the light changed, or similar. Also used when I see someone I know.
Two short honks: did not respond to one short honk. Also used when I was the one to fuck up - accompanied by head nod/bow, arms up with hands upturned, mouthing “I’m sorry”, and/or similar gestures.
Two long honks: you did something bad, like turning out in front of me with not enough room. I’m yelling about it!
Combination of short and long honks: I’m pissed at what you just did. Mad enough that I want to shame you, at least enough to make your next several minutes awkward. Given the chance I’m flipping you off, or simply shaking my head in acknowledgment of your shame.
fizzle@quokk.au 1 day ago
because most things I would say to them are two beats long
LOL. Doesn’t that mean it’s completely ambiguous? There’s plenty of awful things you could say in 2 beats.
I imagine that people flash twice because once could be a mistake, twice demonstrates intent. Three would make me wonder whether it’s an ongoing flashing light.
Elgenzay@lemmy.ml 1 day ago
I think generally one long flash is a negative acknowledgement or warning, 2 quick flashes is positive, and 3 or more is back to negative
Septimaeus@infosec.pub 1 day ago
LOL. Doesn’t that mean it’s completely ambiguous?
Well granted, it’s high-context communication. But I’m willing to bet you’d know what I meant if you were trying to merge and I double-tapped lights.
Three would make me wonder if it’s an ongoing flashing light.
Yeah IME three is less general, usually reserved for a problem or need for caution, like if someone is driving at night with all their lights out or a visible chassis/drivetrain issue, or there’s a cop/wreck ahead.
hperrin@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
Just hit their car slightly with yours. You know, a love tap, to show them love and appreciation. Then show them your extended middle finger, signifying that you are standing with them in solidarity of thinking you’ve made a mistake. If you have a weapon with you, you can hold it up and show them to indicate that you are aware you could be perceived as a threat, but are making the effort to indicate that you aren’t.
Aremel@lemmy.zip 2 days ago
I flash my hazards for a sec. I also use that to say thank you.
sem@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
This is the only correct answer.
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 days ago
No no no. First you do the walk like an egyptian dance. Then flash your hazzards. Then play peekaboo.
illi@piefed.social 1 day ago
I only ever used or interpreted this as a thank you. But in the end, if someone makes an error and then flashes a “thank you” at me I usually let it slide because at least they said thanks. So I guess it works.
Pacattack57@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Like this 🖕
joyjoy@lemmy.zip 2 days ago
Can’t go wrong with the classic 🖕.
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
I roll down the window and do the Sorry/ThankYou Wave. 👋
dellish@lemmy.world 1 day ago
This. I will forgive most driving indiscretions if I see a wave/acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
bstix@feddit.dk 15 hours ago
Remember to say toodle-oo like an old lady while waving.
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 7 hours ago
I am legitimately a little old lady.
But if they can see my face I say “Sorry” or “Thank you” and make the appropriate grimace.
slothrop@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
I pretend to shoot myself in the temple.
Then I put the gun back in the glove box.JoeTheSane@lemmy.world 1 day ago
MrRandom@lemmy.zip 1 day ago
rais your hand?
deranger@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
Look ashamed and maybe do a single flash of my hazards.
thermal_shock@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Hazards = boobs
ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Back of the hand high and visible through the rear window, fingers and thumb slightly apart to reduce the chances of them thinking your giving them the middle finger (or two fingers in the UK).
MutantTailThing@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Honk louder to assert dominance.
Gullible@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
If I have some free time, I’ll follow them to their destination and knock on their window before they manage to slip away, and then apologize. Many seem like they’re in a hurry, despite just arriving, so I’ll just shout out my apology as I knock on their window. Depending on how bad I felt, I might try to repeat the ritual next week, seeing whether I can find them on the road.
captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I wave with all my fingers up except my thumb, index, ring, and pinky
leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 hour ago
Image