# Common courtesies that apparently aren't so common

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-courtesies-that-apparently-arent-so-common/670735>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 9, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-courtesies-that-apparently-arent-so-common/670735 "2013-10-09T00:55:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 8

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**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-courtesies-that-apparently-arent-so-common/670735/141 "2013-10-12T23:39:39Z")

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> [@kittenblue](#):
>
> There are two lanes at the traffic light. You are in the left-hand lane (this is the US) waiting for the left-turn signal. You can’t go anywhere until the light changes. You are in a big tall SUV or truck with a huge front end and can see over everything. I am in the right-hand lane, and am allowed to make a right turn on red. I am in a smaller vehicle. I COULD make the turn, and allow the people behind me to make their turns, except I can’t see the cross-traffic because YOU have crept up past the line and are blocking my line of sight. I try to creep forward a bit to see around you…and YOU CREEP FORWARD TOO! Stop back behind the line like you are supposed to! My making my legal turn is not gonna slow you down, so stop preventing me from seeing around your huge front end!

Agreed.

And if it hasn’t been mentioned already, when I’m the only car on the road for as far as the eye can see, do not pull out in front of me. Wait the extra 5 to 10 seconds and let me pass before pulling out, you jerk.

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**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-courtesies-that-apparently-arent-so-common/670735/142 "2013-10-13T01:10:03Z")

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> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> And if it hasn’t been mentioned already, when I’m the only car on the road for as far as the eye can see, do not pull out in front of me. Wait the extra 5 to 10 seconds and let me pass before pulling out, you jerk.

This x 100.

I get jumping into a tight opening when there’s lots of traffic, but making me hammer the brakes so I don’t rearend you while you get up to speed so you don’t have to wait those extra few seconds makes me say bad words about you.

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**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-courtesies-that-apparently-arent-so-common/670735/143 "2013-10-14T16:06:45Z")

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> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> Nope, around 100’ is not excessive, IMO. I have the five seconds to wait, but expect the person I’m waiting on to step lively. Seems a fair trade-off. Courtesy begets courtesy.
> 
> You let the elevator door close on me when I’m 15 feet from it, you’ll be close enough to hear me call you a dick. 😉

If they have to “step lively” to keep you from waiting while you hold the door, then you’re not being courteous. You’re making them go out of their way so you can feel good about yourself. I’d make you wait while I got to the door at my preferred pace.

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