Drivers giving the finger

I have been in Australia several times. I have found Australians fine
psople, ecept on the road. I simply do not like to to drive as fast as
the great majority of people do and I am presumptuos enogh to believe
I have no obligation to either drive faster or stay off the road.

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

I have often driven on the right side of the road in the USA far frome
home extensively right after coming back from Australia and this has
never happened to me then so it must not be me.

What gives? How often have you given or recieved the finger on the
road in Australia and /or the USA roads?

On 14 Apr 2007 23:21:08 -0700, "
wrote:

I have been in Australia several times. I have found Australians fine
psople, ecept on the road. I simply do not like to to drive as fast as
the great majority of people do and I am presumptuos enogh to believe
I have no obligation to either drive faster or stay off the road.

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

One wonders what their reaction is when your drive on the
other side.

I have often driven on the right side of the road in the USA far frome
home extensively right after coming back from Australia and this has
never happened to me then so it must not be me.

What gives? How often have you given or recieved the finger on the
road in Australia and /or the USA roads?

Given? An unfair question for me, I drove cabs for 17 years
in Melbourne (suffice to say, more than once:-)

I never received "da finga" on US roads; however I did learn
some new words and meanings from passing or overtaking
drivers. I always thought "retard" meant to delay or hold
back - but apparently the person delayed or held back behind
me intended a different meaning, judging by his expression
as he roared past and screamed it at me...


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatic
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

On Apr 15, 4:21 pm, " wrote:

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

As long as you keep to the left on multi-lane roads, then I can't
imagine why that would irritate anyone, given that they can
pass you at any time.

On single lane roads, it's more tricker, since overtaking
opportunities may be limited. And while you may be on
a leisurely drive, someone behind you may be counting on
travelling at the speed limit to make it to an appointment
or something.

If I'm on a leisurely drive, rather than trying to get from Point A to
Point B as quickly as possible, I also may be well under the speed
limit. But if I notice I'm holding up someone for a while on a single
lane road, I'll try and find a convenient spot to momentarily pull
over to the side to let them pass, like say a sealed turning lane or
sealed road shoulder. It's great, because then I've got the impatient
driver behind me
off my back and I can continue along at my own pace.

On 15 Apr 2007 06:00:22 -0700, "Charts"
wrote:

On Apr 15, 4:21 pm, " wrote:

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

As long as you keep to the left on multi-lane roads, then I can't
imagine why that would irritate anyone, given that they can
pass you at any time.

On single lane roads, it's more tricker, since overtaking
opportunities may be limited. And while you may be on
a leisurely drive, someone behind you may be counting on
travelling at the speed limit to make it to an appointment
or something.

If I'm on a leisurely drive, rather than trying to get from Point A to
Point B as quickly as possible, I also may be well under the speed
limit. But if I notice I'm holding up someone for a while on a single
lane road, I'll try and find a convenient spot to momentarily pull
over to the side to let them pass, like say a sealed turning lane or
sealed road shoulder. It's great, because then I've got the impatient
driver behind me
off my back and I can continue along at my own pace.

Good point. I do the same often. We have far fewer multilane
roads between major cities than the US or Europe and that
courtesy is an important one.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatic
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

On Apr 15, 8:17�am, Alan S wrote:
On 15 Apr 2007 06:00:22 -0700, "Charts"
wrote:





On Apr 15, 4:21 pm, " wrote:

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

As long as you keep to the left on multi-lane roads, then I can't
imagine why that would irritate anyone, given that they can
pass you at any time.

On single lane roads, it's more tricker, since overtaking
opportunities may be limited. *And while you may be on
a leisurely drive, someone behind you may be counting on
travelling at the speed limit to make it to an appointment
or something.

If I'm on a leisurely drive, rather than trying to get from Point A to
Point B as quickly as possible, I also may be well under the speed
limit. *But if I notice I'm holding up someone for a while on a single
lane road, I'll try and find a convenient spot to momentarily pull
over to the side to let them pass, like say a sealed turning lane or
sealed road shoulder. *It's great, because then I've got the impatient
driver behind me
off my back and I can continue along at my own pace.

Good point. I do the same often. We have far fewer multilane
roads between major cities than the US or Europe and that
courtesy is an important one.

Cheers, Alan, Australia
--http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatichttp://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have thought of that. And sometimes do it. I suppose I find it hard
to search for turnoffs and keep my mind on my main task
simulataneously.

I also find the rudeness wears off on me. Once I was in the left lane
as reccomended on a multi-lane road , but my turn was going to be from
the right lane, and my turn came befrore I expected it. There was a
huge line of cars behind me. I slowly stopped, then with middle finger
extended, motioned out the right window for all the cars to pass me
until they did so.

On Apr 15, 2:13?am, Alan S wrote:
On 14 Apr 2007 23:21:08 -0700, "

wrote:
I have been in Australia several times. I have found Australians fine
psople, ecept on the road. I simply do not like to to drive as fast as
the great majority of people do and I am presumptuos enogh to believe
I have no obligation to either drive faster or stay off the road.

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

One wonders what their reaction is when your drive on the
other side.

I have often driven on the right side of the road in the USA far frome
home extensively right after coming back from Australia and this has
never happened to me then so it must not be me.

What gives? How often have you given or recieved the finger on the
road in Australia and /or the USA roads?

Given? An unfair question for me, I drove cabs for 17 years
in Melbourne (suffice to say, more than once:-)

I never received "da finga" on US roads; however I did learn
some new words and meanings from passing or overtaking
drivers. I always thought "retard" meant to delay or hold
back - but apparently the person delayed or held back behind
me intended a different meaning, judging by his expression
as he roared past and screamed it at me...


The weather usually requires me to drive with my windows up. If that
is not the case for you, it might be best to drive with the radio on
loud and just the passenger side window open.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatichttp://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

Are you serious?

At least in AU, the "fingers" aren't usually loaded.


wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been in Australia several times. I have found Australians fine
psople, ecept on the road. I simply do not like to to drive as fast as
the great majority of people do and I am presumptuos enogh to believe
I have no obligation to either drive faster or stay off the road.

But Austalian drivers in their hundreds (after passing me already)
give me the finger, even when I drive on the left side of the road

I have often driven on the right side of the road in the USA far frome
home extensively right after coming back from Australia and this has
never happened to me then so it must not be me.

What gives? How often have you given or recieved the finger on the
road in Australia and /or the USA roads?