Yes I do and also when someone lets me cross a street. Although I usually have the right of way. Once someone stopped to let me cross where there was no stop sign. So I waved and started crossing and the asshole behind him pulled out, passed him on the right and damned near killed me. Since then I don’t usually cross then unless there is no other traffic and then I am happy enough to let him go first.
Yes, and when someone lets me go ahead of them, or when someone slows down to allow me to turn, or when they otherwise wave me or, or when they stop to let me cross the street, or when… you get the idea. I think it’s a useful acknowledgement of someone being polite, and being polite in turn.
Sometimes.
Yes, by God. Failure to do so is legal grounds for instant vaporization.
Yes, and I shoot anyone who doesn’t with my eye lasers.
For me, it’s in the same catagory as someone who holds the door for me, because my hands are full. Yes, I could have done it on my own, but your help made it easier.
So yes, a wave or a nod.
I do it and see it all the time in New Jersey. Last I checked that is in the eastern US.
Most people do it in most of the US from what I have seen.
I certainly do, but many here in the NY-area do not. When I lived n Texas, everyone did. I don’t take it personally if others don’t, though. Some people are just clueless.
Of course, those of us who do wave are acknowledging that others don’t. If everyone always made room for other cars and allowed merges consistently, there would be no need for hand waving.
I’m all for the “thank you” wave. I struggle though with it’s close cousin, the “It’s dangerous, stupid, and most likely illegal but here I go anyway” wave, which is more common here in Maryland than it was New York.
I am willing to concede that it might be that it is more common in 2010 than it was in 1990.
I wave if it’s apparent to me that the other driver has done something to accommodate me. Like, they slow down to make space or they leave a gap to let me pull out or they stop short so I can turn into a cross street. If it’s just a simple, routine merge then I don’t wave, nor do I expect it from others. The DC area sucks to drive in but if you put on your turn signal somebody will eventually help you out.
I too love it when people wave at me. The other day, I was sitting at a red light when I noticed the guy behind me was trying to move over one lane, but couldn’t clear my rear bumper safely. I inched forward a bit to let him get over, and he gave me this flabbergasted look and a huge wave. Made my morning.
Yes. It’s pretty common in the Chicago area. At four-way stop signs, merging traffic, exchanges between pedestrians and drivers. Sometimes it means “thanks,” other times it means “we agree it’s my turn to go.”
BTW, I do a similar wave in exiting the train. People “merge” from upper decks and "cut in’ from seats closer to the door. Then there’s another merge point as people converge from several train cars to go down one flight of stairs. There is a protocol that virtually everyone follows, and there are quite a few hand motions, of the “after you” variety as well as, “thanks, we agree it’s my turn.” Sometimes people actually say “thank you” but facial expressions and small hand movements are the norm.
My mom will not only wave but even say the words “thank you”. I always thought that that was silly to say them because the person in the other car can’t hear anyway.
As for me, I’m a non-driver.
Of course I do, I’m Canadian!
Also wondering if the farmer wave is in effect anywhere else. That’s when you just lift your index and middle fingers off the top of the wheel. You only have one hand on the wheel anyway, the other is holding your cigarette.
Kushiel, I see the Farmer Wave when I drive out around the farms here.
I do a thank-you wave. Around here it’s common courtesy. I once let a guy in in a particularly horrible traffic situation and he blew kisses at me.
always
Honey, people wave at each other for every little thing here. You know, if you’re easin’ through a neighborhood looking at houses you’ve gotta wave at the lady walking her dog. If you come through a construction zone you’ve gotta wave at the flagmen. If you see Mayor riding his bike wave at him. If you pass a cop who has stopped someone on the side of the road you’ve gotta wave at him too.
But yes, the ‘courtesy wave’ is alive and well in the state of Mississippi.
I sometimes think that everyone should know a little sign language. It would come in handy on the road (as well as in libraries and dental offices.)
Given people’s expectations of hostility on the road occasionally I wonder if it will be mistaken for an expression of anger.
Still I wave a thank you. Yeah, the wave. Anything to build up good will on the road.
I always do the wave, just basic courtesy.
Just today I stopped way short when leaving a bank parking lot to let three drivers enter. The traffic moves oddly there, often leaving folks wanting to use the ATMs or drive-through banking stranded in the left-turn lane on the street, waiting for exiting bank traffic to leave a gap that aligns with street traffic.
Not one of the three gave so much as a quick nod, much less a wave. Chumps.
Well yeah, true merging/X lane ends should go by the 1-2-1-2-1-2 zipper rule and doesn’t require acknowledgement. 90° non official merges do though deserve a wave.
OTOH I don’t hyperactively squint into the dark or glared back window of the vehicle I let in in front of me to confirm a wave, and beep obnoxiously if I don’t see it for sure. But if i do happen to spot it, it give me a slight emotional glow. And I try to wave whenever someone is polite to me.
I figure, if it’s a sign based merge, then the zipper rule is in effect, and every other car should get in the lane. Otherwise, if traffic is normal, than just drive. If traffic is slow, then if you happen to be stopped slightly before an intersection, then it’s polite to let one or two cars turn in front of you when traffic starts moving again.
OTOH if someone is overpolite - if they have right of way in making a left turn or in general, and are trying to let me go anyway, or if someone is trying to let me make a turn, but they are on a two lane road and can’t assure me that the other lane is safe, it’s annoying.
I usually flag them down and give them a bunch of flowers.