How Do You Say "Thank You", While Driving On The Road ?

whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 06:25
Last edited 10/09/2024 - 10:22

My friend was telling me a few years ago, that people started saying 'thanks' when driving, by flashing their "emergency blinkers" on for a couple of seconds. I didn't know if this was widespread, or he was just trying to start a trend.

A few years later, I actually see a small number of drivers actually do this, ie. flash their "emergency blinkers" to show their appreciation.

Then again, there is still steady rate of drivers who simply do not ackowledge or show any appreciation towards your goodwill to them on the road, eg. giving way, ensuring the "keep clear" section is clear, etc.

I've never done a poll, but here goes…

Poll Options expired

  • 1
    Why should I show my thanks, because we should be "giving way" to each other anyway
  • 133
    I only give hand 'signals' as a gesture, inside the car
  • 3
    I only give hand 'signals' as a gesture, through the open car window
  • 8
    I give hand 'signals' anyway but also say/mime 'thank you' to them
  • 6
    I don't give any hand signals but flash the "emergency indicator" (hazard) lights for 2-seconds
  • 4
    I flash / flicker the headlights (at nighttime)
  • 1
    Bikies... (make way for us, or else!)
Automotive

Comments

  • mapax on 10/09/2024 - 06:48

    Flashing hazards isn’t a thing where I grew up.
    When you have completed overtaking you indicate right for a flash and then indicate left for flash to say thanks when a car slows to let you safely overtake.

    Aside from that it’s either the wave or indicating depending on the situation to show thanks, because I’m not a profanity.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 07:01

      Flashing hazards isn’t a thing where I grew up.

      Well, I know in VIC, people tend to drive with 'emergency blinkers' when it's foggy or off-road (on a farm, etc.),
      so how could you indicate in those situations ?

      • mapax on 10/09/2024 - 07:16

        It depends on the situation. I drive “off-road” nearly everyday with my hazards on at work and I wave, or sometimes talk to the person because if we are driving with hazards on we are often doing less than 10km/h.

  • Gunnar on 10/09/2024 - 06:52
    +1

    Depends on the vehicle - most vehicles on the road it’s the hand up inside the car

    Semi’s/ b-doubles and road trains I’ll do the hazard lights because it’s easier for them to see it

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 07:02

      most vehicles on the road it’s the hand up inside the car

      Yes, this used to be common, but I don't see these as much either.

      Also, when oncoming traffic is giving away, in a narrow street, I stick my hand up too to reply/acknowledge the other driver's 'thanks'.

      Then again, there are drivers, that don't acknowledge, when I stopped for them on that same narrow street :-\

    • pegaxs on 10/09/2024 - 09:09
      +2

      The “truckie” thank you is alternating blinkers. Left, right left, off or vice versa, depending on what lane they are going into. I’ve never seen “hazard lights” used as a thank you for trucks in Australia.

  • Slinky0111 on 10/09/2024 - 06:53
    +5

    The hazards blink or switching indicators from side to side is more common in the trucking industry, never seen it done by a car. But as a truck driver I occassionally do it or a hand out the window.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 07:01
    +4

    Then again, there is still steady rate of drivers who simply do not ackowledge or show any appreciation towards your goodwill to them on the road, eg. giving way, ensuring the "keep clear" section is clear, etc.

    Really makes me wonder sometimes, is it because they just don’t know better/ were not taught better (like animals) - or simply are just jerks (also like animals)

    Well, animals are a lot like people, Mrs. Simpson. Some of them act badly because they’ve had a hard life or have been mistreated. But, like people, some of them are just jerks.

    • Gunnar on 10/09/2024 - 07:04
      +1

      headbutts you

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 07:05
      +1

      were not taught better

      They were taught…only to pass an assessment. They don't put this in practice.

      Maybe, it's from societies where it's competitive, and rote learning to pass test, get society status…but not show good behaviour in public, eg. separate litter in the coloured bins, show thank-you hand in the car, etc.

  • onetwothreefour on 10/09/2024 - 07:18
    +5

    Flashing your hazards to say thank you is common in Japan, they do that or give a little bow to say thanks. Never seen this done here, it's usually a little wave or the big thumbs up.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 07:29
      +7

      I personally like the ‘cool dad’ index finger up from steering wheel thanks. Or hand out window when people are behind you like on highway merge, just to ensure they definitely see you say thanks.

      • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 07:40
        +2

        ‘cool dad’ index finger up from steering wheel

        Haha,…so aptly described.

        I make the effort to lift the whole hand off the steering wheel, and elevate the palm faced towards the other driver.

      • Sammy2000 on 10/09/2024 - 12:54
        +1

        You can't tell which way the palm is facing or which finger is being lifted with the cool dad finger. Could be taken the wrong way.

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 12:58
          +2

          idk about you but middle finger i was under the impression usually was cause to lift whole hand off the steering wheel and deliver the motion WITH GUSTO.

          i actually prefer delivering my disgust at fellow motorists with a dad level of head shake - clear , consise left right motion- delivered twice, and ideally with unbroken eye contact.
          the optional right hand lifted off wheel in a 'wtf are you doing ya stooge' motion is also a nice add on.
          hits them harder than the tired and old middle ringer.
          just ask the raptor that was up my arse the whole m1 run last friday.

          • sam-1966 on 10/09/2024 - 15:47
            +1

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: Wiggle all the fingers and when they ask, just tell them it is like the middle finger, but a lot more!

    • ronnknee on 10/09/2024 - 15:29

      What's the difference between a big thumbs up and a normal one?

      • onetwothreefour on 10/09/2024 - 15:33

        good question…

        I think a normal thumbs up your arm is normally bent at the elbow with your hand close to your body and you give a little nod whereas a big thumbs up is usually arm stretched with a big smile on your face.

      • Euphemistic on 10/09/2024 - 16:46

        Right hand vs left. One thumb is bigger.

  • ForkSnorter on 10/09/2024 - 07:30

    In the area I live in, I get an aggressive look much more often than I get a thank you. Everyone is in a hurry, and the default speed is 10km/h over the speed limit. Make sure you don't get in their way. They know they're doing it too, because they slow down for the cameras.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2024 - 07:39
    +1

    If it's car to car then either 2 finger off the steering wheel for head on, raised hand into the centre of the car if it's someone behind.
    If it's to a truck driver then a flash f the hazards since they can see through the roof.

    can I have 2 poll checkins?

  • altomic on 10/09/2024 - 07:41
    +5

    I drive a high yield investment vehicle. People should be thanking me.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:18

      HYIV > HSV

  • Randxyz123 on 10/09/2024 - 07:52
    +1

    If someone has gone out of their way to let me in or something when they didn’t have to I’ll wind down the window to thank them.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:20

      I wind the window down too, and say/mime thank you while showing hand or thumbs up :-D

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 10/09/2024 - 07:55
    +2

    This is why certain brands don't use their hazards to say thanks.
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/313113/80195/bmw_indic…

  • Ryanek on 10/09/2024 - 07:56

    Using your hazards is how they show their thanks in Japan - https://youtu.be/3oJk8pOJNe0?si=8YS9So5iMLBcGm02

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:21

      This friend used to stay in Japan.
      So, maybe this is where he got the idea from, and was suggesting it to me…possibly to start the trend here.

  • spal on 10/09/2024 - 07:57
    +1

    OP you should probably add the flashing lights to say thanks in the poll too. Some people do that. Day time I would wave my hand, but in dark I would flash lights to say thanks.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:22
      +1

      Done :-)

  • sumyungguy on 10/09/2024 - 08:08
    +2

    If I became the despotic leader of my own nation all motor vehicles would be fittted with a discrete thank you indicator.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 10/09/2024 - 08:35
    -3

    Unsure what you mean. Aussie drivers never say thank you.

    • mapax on 10/09/2024 - 09:19
      +1

      It must be a you thing, because plenty of drivers thank me if I let them in or if I slow down so that they can pass.

  • Dollar General on 10/09/2024 - 08:40
    +4

    I raise my can of bourbon & coke to signal cheers and thanks

    • mapax on 10/09/2024 - 09:19
      +1

      Damn, I wish I was that classy.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:24

      …well, it'll depend on what kind of stubbie holder you're showing off too

  • AaronRain on 10/09/2024 - 09:33

    I haven't drove in a long while but I thought flashing light (flicking it on and off) was to indicate to other driver something was amiss, like they forgot to close their trunk/petrol cap etc… or that there was a speed camera ahead.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:25
      +1

      …or the number of times, I have seen people drive at night without their headlights on!

      I get triggered by that.

  • GordonD on 10/09/2024 - 09:50
    +1

    It'd be pointless me saying thank you - or anything else - to other drivers by a gesture inside the car. My car has a metallic heat-reflecting film on the windscreen, and at least some darkening of the other windows. They couldn't see me doing it.

    But I drive with the drivers window open most of the time, so I can just stick my hand out and give a friendly wave.

    And after a nearly catastrophic incident with a truck where I thought he was giving me signal that it was safe to overtake, I am leary of using the indicators for any other purpose than dog intended for them, or my four-way flashers for any other purpose than indicating something other drivers need to watch out for, like a cop with a speed gun hiding around the next corner.

  • KangaDrew on 10/09/2024 - 09:52
    +2

    As a cager and a motorcyclist I'm very big on thanking others for their courtesy.

    If the window is already down, I'll wave outside unless cops are around.

    If the window is up or its raining, I'll either wave inside the car or use my indicators. I've never driven trucks though so I'm not sure where I picked that up from.

    If I'm on the bike, other cagers definitely get a thumbs up (or a head nod if it's not safe to remove my left hand from the grip) for showing courtesy and allowing me through - especially when lane filtering.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:27

      I'll wave outside unless cops are around.

      Is it an infringement, to show a hand gesture out of the window? (ie. not have both hands on the wheel)

      • KangaDrew on 10/09/2024 - 11:03

        In NSW it is, yes.

      • rumblytangara on 10/09/2024 - 11:44
        +1

        It's an infringement to have any part of your body outside the car. e.g. elbow resting on the edge of an open window.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:28

      a cager

      what's a "cager" ?

      • KangaDrew on 10/09/2024 - 11:04
        +3

        Rider slang for anyone that drives a car. So I'm one too 😀

  • Porker on 10/09/2024 - 10:16
    +2

    I didn't know if this was widespread, or he was just trying to start a trend.

    The hazards flashing has been done for a long time in Asia, for example Japan.

    I do it often but only at night - if it's during the day I'll wave, but at night I refrain from high beaming the on-coming car (thank you by blinding you!), so hazard flick instead.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 10:27

      He used to stay in Japan, so that could be the reason why he suggested this to me.

  • Euphemistic on 10/09/2024 - 11:34
    +2

    Whateved you do to thank someone, dont make it some grand gesture that takes your concentration off moving forward. Occasionally when i let someone in, they wind the window down sitck their arm out and wave while swerving or taking off far too slowly. Just drive the damn car, i let you in to keep traffic moving not because im in need of some form of thanks.

    If someone lets me in the most i will do is lift my hand and wave or thumbs up - but driving comes first, so its not always.

  • Sammy2000 on 10/09/2024 - 12:58

    I flash the lights to say "you can go first" in tight suburban roads, although they usually have right of way. If I flash the lights when I am next to them going the other way they wouldn't see the lights flash, and if I was facing them I might blind them at night.
    I use the hand wave inside the car or out the window if they really went out of their way not to be a…

  • Nickels n Dimes on 10/09/2024 - 14:18

    You could also say that paying it forward is a thankyou, indirectly.

  • Moneyinthebank on 10/09/2024 - 14:50
    +1

    I wave my hand in my face like john cena does and mouth you can't see me

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2024 - 14:53

    Walk down and offer a coffee?

  • Ghost47 on 10/09/2024 - 15:18
    +1

    In my experience flashing hazards is a way to say thanks in Victoria but it's not common. Never seen anyone flash their hazards interstate.

    Personally I just give a wave, most of the time inside the car or a thumbs up outside the window. From what I've observed recently most people don't tend to actually say thanks anymore. I chalk it down to our changing society.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 20:16
      +1

      I chalk it down to our changing society.

      Well, I saw 30 years ago, the high-er standards in Australia, were enforced by each other, on each other.
      We saw what was acceptable and what wasn't.
      You know, …hard times creating good men and all that, is now our "changing society" ?

      Maybe, the people from the populous countries where they don't respect queuing or civility, brought some bad behaviours here?
      or the people who grew up here,…getting lazy & slowly stop leading by example, what is acceptable or not?

      Maybe, it's higher interest rates?
      Interest / usury creates a society that is just competing for breadcrumbs, and their frame of mind becomes "survival of the fittest" and aggressive.

      Maybe, it's talkback radio?
      More triggering topics nowadays….makes a driver angry, and they forget to be courteous on a shared, public road?

      • Ghost47 on 10/09/2024 - 20:59
        +1

        I definitely think it's multifaceted and the points you've raised are what I've thought also.

  • yoho on 10/09/2024 - 20:14
    +2

    On the open road, when a truck overtakes you I was told to flash your high-beams when they have enough room to pull back in. I did this a lot for (big) trucks in western NSW.

    They would respond with a right-left indicator ('thank-you'), or a right-left-right-left ('thank-you-very-much'). Nice.

    • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 20:17

      They would respond with a right-left indicator ('thank-you'), or a right-left-right-left ('thank-you-very-much'). Nice.

      This is a new one for me.
      I never heard of this.
      I'll be on the look-out for this one.

      • Ghost47 on 10/09/2024 - 21:01
        +2

        It's quite common to see that kind of thing on the Hume between Sydney and Melbourne so if do that drive you should see it.

        • whyisave on 10/09/2024 - 22:59
          +2

          I have driven on the Hume between SYD and MEL, many times.

          Now that you mention it, I do vaguely remember the "TTY = Truckies Thank You", but I would not have thought of this when it happened.

          So, people have probably been thanking me all these years,…but I never understood 'their language',…
          I will remember it now :-)

  • Nugs on 10/09/2024 - 20:59

    Wave both inside or out window dependent on vehicle I'm in. They won't see my inside wave if im in the Tranny van
    .

  • hasher22 on 11/09/2024 - 00:35
    +1
    1. Wave inside from the car
    2. I noticed people with no back window like vans, they flash their hazzards
    3. Wave out the window and/or gives a thumbs up
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