Just Jenney

It sounds to me like he was mostly miffed because you stopped twice, not because you merged into his lane. (Although I have to say that it is a particular pet peeve of mine when people don't indicate when they want/need to change lanes. But I digress...) People get so annoyed at the slightest inconvenience. I honestly don't get it. If people just relaxed and took it easy out there, everyone would get where they'd need to go with minimum delays or problems. Alas, the world doesn't work that way.

Honestly, I strongly suggest avoiding confrontation at all costs. Ignore the person and leave immediately. People DO have guns in this country and carry them in their cars. All you need is for some retard to start flashing it around when s/he's pissed off, and then what?

When I was learning to drive back in the late 1980s in the suburbs of Washington, DC, I remember a rule of thumb my driving instructor taught me: When at a stoplight or stop sign, always leave enough space so that you can see the bottom of the tires of the car in front of you. That way you'll have plenty of room to pull out and get away if someone is threatening you! (Scary, isn't it?)

~ Jenney

hobbes79

Kids? My wife has some explaining to do...

anabella

Hmmmm... I hadn't thought of that ...

Notts_bloke

A friend of mine taught me a great trick, instead of flying the "victory V". If you are male and the irate driver is also male, blow them a kiss! Works a treat.

Scouse Express

....especially if you are in San Francisco.


Jim.

Elliott

really i wonder what a works like a treat means? because i know we have the right to bear arms here and you only need one "works like crap" before you are dead meat. Unless you pack the heat also? which i doubt.

Ray

Wear a bandana ..nobody says a word

ugacrew

You might get pulled over by the fuzz though.

Ray

My educated accent sends them on their way

Optimus Prime

Only if you drive with your zipper open.

dbj1000

Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for the ever-charming Rete!

Remember, she's a Super Mod, so we mustn't tell her what we actually think of her judgmental, knee-jerk posts.

ugacrew

I tried that. I said 'sir' and so may 'officers' that you think I had gotten out of the ticket. That wasn't the case. I believe the fact I was doing 53 in a 35 is what left me with the ticket.

What I do with my open zipper behind the wheels is no one's beeswax.

hobbes79

I have to admit to struggling to take him seriously when, effectively, part of his criticism basically included me stopping to yield to pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing.

I'll make more of an effort to avoid confrontation in future. Point taken. I was put on the back foot a bit... I really wasn't 100% sure we were going to have such an incident until I got out of the car. If I'd have known, I would have just kept circling the parking lot til he got bored

Rete

Yikes you never deviate from the path, dear.

Nothing jerk knee about my reaction. I think he did a very foolish and potentially harmful thing when he peeled out to cut into of another vehicle while he was in the wrong lane.

It is normal to roll down your window and gesture to the other driver that you need to get into his lane.

hobbes79

That's illegal, dangerous and warrants a $35 fine in the state of Mass.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...and_a_35_fine/

When you've done such a thing, have you ever considered your compromised ability to raise a child with only one arm? Or did you not care?

Nothing knee jerk about my reaction. I just think you are suggesting a very foolish and potentially harmful thing and haven't considered your ability to parent with a compromised physical state.

Oooh, this judgemental thing is kinda fun