The Always Appreciated, Seldom Seen, Wave From The Guy Second Or Third Or Fourth In Traffic Behind Someone You Let Take A Left In Front Of You

June 12th, 2008 · 14 Comments · General Boring Stuff

Now, THAT’S a post title!

I was driving around town doing some errands yesterday when I got one.

Yes, I got the The Always Appreciated, Seldom Seen, Wave From The Guy Second Or Third Or Fourth In Traffic Behind Someone You Let Take A Left In Front Of You. You know the one, or perhaps you have never been lucky enough to score one (or perhaps you just never let anyone take the turn in front of you).

I was heading down the street when I spotted a silver Toyota Camry waiting to take a left across my lane of oncoming traffic into a Walgreen’s parking lot. I slowed to a stop and waived the driver of the Camry along, allowing her to cross my lane of traffic and take the left. This not only allowed the driver of the Camry to reach her destination but also freed up a line of about 6 vehicles that were behind the Camry and had been stuck waiting.

The Camry driver gave me a nice friendly wave and a nod thanking me for letting her go. In my book That’s expected. If she hadn’t I would have been miffed. But what followed was gold, pure gold.

The driver of a small box truck two vehicles behind the Camry gave me a full arm extension wave! Nice!

The way I see it, if there is a line of traffic behind a car waiting to take a left I am helping out each of them as much as I am helping the person who I am actually letting go.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s reasonable to think that a wave from the line behind isn’t too much to ask for once in a while. What do you think?

I always try to send along a wave when I’ve been a beneficiary in this situation. Do you?

Have you ever received The Always Appreciated, Seldom Seen, Wave From The Guy Second Or Third Or Fourth In Traffic Behind Someone You Let Take A Left In Front Of You?

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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Tags: good deeds·traffic

14 responses so far ↓

1 CableGirl // Jun 12, 2008 at 9:26 am

Nice one. And I’m with you on the obligatory nature of the wave. It really ruffles my feathers when people don’t extend this common courtesy…. but that the guy two cars behind you did just proves you’re not in Miami. lol
2 Theo Epstein // Jun 12, 2008 at 9:37 am

Theo is curious: you just happened to have your camera aimed at a complete stranger in traffic on the off-chance that he waved at you? Really?

C’mon! These are the types of shenanigans Theo would expect from JT365. You’re better than that!
3 PG // Jun 12, 2008 at 9:39 am

Oh, Theo. you losing your fastball?

“(photo credit: Getty Images)”
4 jason // Jun 12, 2008 at 10:59 am

I’ve only gotten the middle finger. That’s how we drive here in Vegas.
5 Rick Astley // Jun 12, 2008 at 11:35 am

Nice blog; I guess the recent, feel-good stories of the Sox and Pats must be having a much-needed softening effect on the population back home.

In my day, I’d never have willingly shown the weakness that comes with letting someone take a left turn in front of me…

Stay right there! You can wait there all day, man!

Rick Astleys last blog post..Our Newest Teenager
6 Secret Agent Mama // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:45 pm

ABSOLUTELY! I love that you got a picture of him, and his expression is just awesome.

I’m forever letting people through and waving back when it’s reciprocated. It’s only the right thing to do.

Secret Agent Mamas last blog post..Project 365 (293/365)
7 PG // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Thanks Mishelle, but that’s not him! That’s a stock photo.
8 Dan // Jun 12, 2008 at 4:15 pm

I am guilty of forgetting to wave quite frequently. It’s not rudeness really, just absentmindedness.

Thinking about it it’s probably not good I’m so absentminded when driving.

Dans last blog post..Don’t read this, read this
9 Jolly Green Dad // Jun 12, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Yes, usually I only get the finger or a shaken fist at me. Of course, I return the favor!

Jolly Green Dads last blog post..So What Do You Do?
10 gail // Jun 12, 2008 at 5:05 pm

Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can make someone’s day - or smash it over your head depending on the action.

I wave a lot - infact I over-wave sometimes much to the embarrassment of my passengers. Well I would hate to think I had upset someone’s day because they failed to see the first wave.

gails last blog post..You’re Fired!
11 Maureen // Jun 12, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Good for you! I always appreciate a wave from the one I directly help, but I don’t think I’ve EVER received a thank you from someone else! He must have been VERY pleased you helped them all out!
12 Quirkee James // Jun 13, 2008 at 12:45 am

Yep, always! I’d wave at you for letting me go. Maybe a quick double honk, too!

*beep beep*

Quirkee Jamess last blog post..You Are My Sunshine
13 Kim // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:12 am

I am a waver and get really annoyed at non-waviers. but then again I am a door holder and get mad at non-door holders. I just like courtesy.
Kims last blog post..Lessoned Learned
14 Ruprecht // Jun 13, 2008 at 11:32 am

Abso-freakin’-lutely.

Courtesy wave is required by you if someone lets you in.

It’s the decline of Western Civilization, otherwise.

………………………………………………….. Ruprecht