Sandy-gram

[#1]

Is it too much to ask? You’re driving along and suddenly someone wants to merge in front of you. You slow a bit and let them in….and you wait…and wait. What? No wave? No little thank you twist of the wrist.  Huh? When did the thank you wave become obsolete? It doesn’t cost anyone anything…and it lets people know you appreciate their little act of thoughtfulness.

Perhaps folks are too busy on the phone, eating a burger or thinking about their mortgage. But, come on, how difficult is it to lift your arm and wiggle your fingers?  I’m not talking about a BIG flashy wave of the arm, or someone sticking their head out of the window to shout, “Wow…You’re the Best!”

 

Nope, I’m talking about that little, tiny wave. We all know it. Hopefully, we all practice it. When someone gives me a little thank you wave, I think, “That’s nice.” I now know they acknowledge and appreciate that I let them in…or slowed a bit to let them cut across traffic…or one of a dozen other little traffic courtesies that we all do everyday.

When my daughter first started driving, my arm was exhausted from thanking everyone for her serious lack of driving skills and forethought into her next maneuver…

“OOOHHH, there’s McDonalds!”….Screech…turn.

I actually wanted to create a little sign for the bumper that said…

            “Thank you in advance. My teenage daughter is driving.”

And so in these days of economic challenges and worldwide strife, I propose that we remember to reward someone when they do a little act of road kindness for us.

Give them a wave.  

[#2]

I AGREE 100%, IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU HOLD A DOOR OPEN FOR SOMEONE AND THEY WALK ON IN AND DON'T SAY A WORD.  I ALWAYS SAY, "YOUR WELCOME"!!!!!!!!  PEOPLE NEED DIRECTION ON COURTESY, I'M 65 AND DO THIS.  DENNIS 6419

[#3]

I too, totally agree. People have forgotten basic manners. Thanks for a good read. Being a parent of two boys, I love your bumper sticker idea.

[#4]

I wish I had thought of the bumper sticker idea when I was teaching my kids how to drive. That would have saved a lot of nerve-wracking moments and frustrated drivers behind us.

I also completely agree with the wave. It's only appropriate if someone slows down for you or lets you in to acknowledge their thoughtful act. Just the other day, I stopped to let someone turn into a parking lot, and they never even looked at me, let alone wave. The problem is probably exacerbated by the frequency with which people are talking on cell phones while they drive. I guess if they have one hand holding a phone and the other on the wheel, they can't wave. There's any easy solution -- put down the cell phone and wave!!

[#5]

I agree that courtesy counts, and I aspire to always be civil, but I must admit to sometimes being less than amicable.  Gulity.  I am much better than I used to be.

[#6]

I agree with scout - people are so busy multi-tasking, they can't manage a single hand to wave a thank you, let alone even think about it. Scary. That means that someone is concentrating on driving and their cell phone conversation at the same time, and may very well miss something critical that is happening nearby. That has to account for a lot of accidents. In the same way that I try to always indicate my thanks with a little wave, I have often wished I could have a flashing ticker-tape type read out like you'll see in a stock market or Times Square that will spell out my thoughts, like, "Really? Are you always such an *** or do you just drive like one?"

[#7]

I love the idea of the ticker tape (although it would probably cause it's own fair share of accidents). 

[#8]

Too true. On the plus side, despite the lack of courtesy sometimes, it amazes me that we manage to maneuver these tons of steel and rubber in and out of each other's and not have more accidents. What a leap from horse and carriage! lol

[#9]

I think the same thing when I let someone in and just get a look, usually that blank angry stare, no wave as though they are saying to me, you better let me in.  I want to yell, "You're welcome!"  With that in mind, I do my best to thank those that let me in, not just with any wave, but a wave after I roll down the window and put my arm out to wave.  You'd be surprised how many folks back off just a bit probably because they didn't expect to be thanked, but to be thanked in such a manner.  I still have my guilty moments and forget but I try to say "thank you" because in this day and age we seem to have forgotten the basics on being civil to each other.