How should I thank other drivers while driving? My wife thinks I'm breaking the law.
Posted by MrGrubbycuddles@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 78 comments
Hello you.
My wife has said I need to immediately stop what I'm doing behind the wheel of our large automobile (it's a Micra).
When other drivers give way - I typically just put my hand up to thanks. But if I'm really really grateful - like if they've given way to me in a way that goes above and infinity and beyond - then I will typically give them the sign of the cross with my hand facing them like how the Pope does.
My wife always smacks my hand down and tells me that this is illegal, possibly offensive to Ordained ministers (I'm no longer practicing), and liable to get me gruntily shunted by an aggrieved believer.
Personally I think she's smoking ganja if she thinks I'm going to be arrested for this - but maybe she's onto something.
Anyway - what are some fruity and exciting ways to say THANK YOU in traffic to fellow drivers ?
RochesterThe2nd@reddit
I’m more concerned about the people who flash their full beams at night to say thank you.
Temporarily blinding someone seems a strange way to show gratitude.
Genuflecting is odd, but it’s not as bad as that.
mdmnl@reddit
Are you really grateful if they can't hear that feeling on their retinas???
RochesterThe2nd@reddit
“I allowed a car to pass in the other direction, and they made their “thank you” very clear.
After they passed, I pulled back out into the road to continue my journey, unable to see the cyclist.
And that, your Honour, is why I killed the cyclist. It was because the driver of the other car wanted to be absolutely certain I knew how grateful he was.
How can I be convicted for being such a good guy?”
mdmnl@reddit
"Having allowed the 4x4 to pass its 3teraWatt Xenon interstellar plasma cannon headlamps (conveniently placed at eye-level) were briefly flashed in my direction, leaving me with a metallic taste in my mouth and a permanent map of the blood vessels behind my eyes imprinted on my vision."
Difficult_Bad1064@reddit
If you bless me, I will follow you home and give you charity.
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
That's beautiful
InfinitySum@reddit
I would be utterly confused if someone made the sign of the cross to me after I had given way. K Just raise your hand like a normal person.
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
You wouldn't feel blessed?
spoo4brains@reddit
As an athiest my eyes would be rolling too much to still be safe behind the wheel.
That is just a weird thing to do in that situation.
Puppygirl621@reddit
I'd be stoked but I am weird
NeitherAd3347@reddit
I'd question my my vampirenes or think I looked possessed
NoFewSatan@reddit
No?
Gent415@reddit
Username checks out 😈😄
LeadershipAble773@reddit
I dont want to be blessed. Why are you blessing me?
Empty_Variety3570@reddit
It would feel rude, as in, "thank the lord this person didn't hit me, praise Jesus"
AJMurphy_1986@reddit
I prefer the barely raised finger and slight nod
Suspicious-Water-973@reddit
This. A thumbs up if the driver did something really helpful.
No signs of the cross thanks. How do you do a cross with one hand?
mdmnl@reddit
Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch.
When does it ever need two?
Suspicious-Water-973@reddit
Ahhh that makes more sense. As the other driver I would suspect that the driver thanking me was having some kind of medical episode. In over 30 years of driving I have never been thanked with a cross.
in1998noonedied@reddit
LLAP hand obviously 🖖
mdmnl@reddit
It's the logical choice
Duke0fWellington@reddit
I tend to close my hand into a hollow fist and shake it side to side. People tend to appreciate that.
mdmnl@reddit
"Have a martini later, you earned it!"
Sudden_Leadership800@reddit
Ah, the old "I'll give you a tug if you can keep up with me"
AnxiousTerminator@reddit
I think this is the most common way, see it every day!
Zaxa7@reddit
You'd make my day if you did the cross sign to me in traffic.l after I let you pass.
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
Well I'm glad somebody in here isn't trying to murder me for the mere suggestion of doing something silly. Bless you ✝️
Puppygirl621@reddit
English people are utter conformists, its a sad country.
peppermint_aero@reddit
probably not illegal but definitely weird
D1789@reddit
Your wife needs to chill out.
And you need to grow up.
Cole-Palmer-phd@reddit
Reading his comments, I'm 90% sure this is a wind up
Defiant_Practice5260@reddit
I don't know the legalities, but as a general rule of thumb, the Mrs. is always right
NoFewSatan@reddit
Why would you do a sign of the cross?! Very weird.
Your wife is also insane.
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
If something isn't illegal or offensive, how can it be weird?
SwampDraggon@reddit
It’s perfectly legal to buy a house and then camp in the garden and leave the building completely unoccupied, but it would be kind of odd, would it not?
Cole-Palmer-phd@reddit
Wearing a scarf round my head while sat on the bus singing the ymca isn't illegal or offensive. It is weird though
nickdaniels92@reddit
There are plenty of alternatives to "illegal" and "offensive" - weird is definitely one, and stupid would be another; similar and possibly working even better in this case.
Analyst_Annoyed@reddit
Genuine question, have you ever been tested for autism?
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
It’s not illegal or offensive to wear underpants on your head, but it is weird.
NoFewSatan@reddit
I don't believe that this story or that you're old enough to drive.
JATAA-@reddit
Because it goes against social norms, doesnt make it illegal. Like me being an emo as a teenager, was it illegal? No. Was i weird? Hell yeah, and proud.
Apologies for the blasphemy, father.
Puzzled-Job9556@reddit
Your wife doesn't think it's illegal. She's just embarrassed.
EvilTaffyapple@reddit
You’re both plonkers - her for being wrong and you for…doing whatever the fuck you think it is you’re doing.
Puzzled-Job9556@reddit
Perfectly put.
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
Well I wouldn't bless you in traffic.
Gent415@reddit
I don't want to be blessed, I'd rather you drove with at least one hand on the wheel 😆
No-Snow-9605@reddit
Yez agreed, he is a plonker. Rodney 🤣
Confudled_Contractor@reddit
Hi Dave.
VictorySignificant15@reddit
Best answer, close comments 🙂
softbrownsugar@reddit
Thank you for articulating exactly what I wanted to say but couldnt find the words for!
derekclysdale@reddit
A simple wave will do most times. Sometimes a gentle nod is fine. Anything more and the other driver might think your playing charades and start trying to guess the name of a movie they think your miming before they realise they're about to drive off the side of the road and end up at the bottom of a very high cliff and meet their untimely end.
trickortrixie@reddit
how are either of you allowed in a car?
split-tennisball@reddit
Your wife sounds like a div
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
She's diabetic if that's what you're asking
split-tennisball@reddit
No
MrDaveHedgehog@reddit
Simply raise your middle finger, nail side facing outwards, as a means of thanking the courteous driver instead.
This is universally known to symbolise that you expect them to ascend to their righteous place among the heavens when they meet their maker.
It will be gratefully received without the wrath of ordained ministers to contend with.
Mglfll@reddit
What if you inadvertently bless a theistic satanist and curse them?
johnmarksmanlovesyou@reddit
Dunno what she's on about but It is breaking the highway code if you take both hands off the wheel while driving
elstoggy@reddit
In my head you’re crossing your fingers like you’re fending off a vampire and it’s very funny.
Apprehensive-Top3675@reddit
Not what I was expecting when I saw the title... I thought this was going to be about flashing your headlights.
Active_Hawk_9897@reddit
I wave my wang out the window
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
Sun roof?
Confudled_Contractor@reddit
I told Phill to cut that shit out when he’s in my car.
Horse le to courses I suppose.
jayphelps57@reddit
I’m a Minister band yes I’m afraid you are both a little odd… a brief hand in thanks and acknowledgment is sufficient and polite. Arrested?!🤔😆
After-Temperature585@reddit
I’d say the main problem is nobody has a clue what this thing is that you’re doing even if the story was real.
Forsaken_Crow_6784@reddit
Mate, I love that, that is incredible 🤣🤣🤣 I would fucking crease if someone did that to me
Box_of_rodents@reddit
I always give a polite nod and smile and or quick thumbs up. I think giving the ‘ blessing’ is hilarious though. If I was on the receiving end, it would really make my day!
I think you could possibly be breaking the law and if a REALLY observant plod caught, you could get points for maybe driving without due care and attention maybe.
Tell your Mrs to stop being a grumpy Gerty and live a little 😆
thereisalwaysrescue@reddit
This is the quality content that Reddit needs
Current_Thing2244@reddit
This is one of those posts that you hope is AI, because what?
silentv0ices@reddit
The simple and classic lift of the hand acknowledgement. It's timeless. Yes I'm old.
Timely_Note_1904@reddit
I think what you're doing is very odd, that other people will think the same, and that you're aren't coming across the way you think you're coming across (funny, eccentric?)
You should listen to your wife, not because you're going to get arrested but because I bet you people feel uncomfortable.
likelivewirevoodoo@reddit
You're a pair of mad cunts and are clearly perfect for each other
No_Cheek7162@reddit
Just do this 🙏
MrGrubbycuddles@reddit (OP)
That's risky but alright
Plus_Pangolin_8924@reddit
A quick wave is all that’s needed. No need to break out the dance moves. None of what you are doing is illegal as such. Some knob cop could argue that you are driving without due care but that would be wild to go that far.
Existingsquid@reddit
I just wave or if more pleased thumbs up.
ThickTadpole3742@reddit
I find a double thumbs up the most convenient.
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