I agree with others who counsel a different approach. I was “carfree” for several years and often had car drivers pull dangerous shit when I was on my bike. My first impulse of the moment, seeing red, was often to flip them off before immediately regretting it. This was in rural Missouri, and there were two different occasions when this led to a double barrel being quickly pulled down from the redneck’s gun rack and my life flashing before my eyes. It’s not worth it.
Sam Harris talks effectively about how testosterone-fueled hairless apes can be so dangerous when they feel their manhood is challenged. In particular, they can take offense even to someone inadvertently making eye contact with them. He described what he says when this happens. and I’m sure you would think it makes him a “pussy”; but I believe it is extremely sage advice.
When a bristling macho guy, spoiling for a fight, challenges him with “What are you fucking looking at?” he responds “Oh, sorry man: I was just kinda zoning out and staring off into space. It’s been a long day.” Confrontation defused, and what has he lost? If your self-image is tied up in maintaining a strong and unwavering exterior of someone who doesn’t back down, that’s a pretty sad existence if you ask me.