Like, if you accidentally cut someone off, and they get mad and honk, how do you apologize?

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[–] 29 points 9 months ago (5 children)

I think the fact that there isn't a good way I think escalates a lot of otherwise defusable road rage situations.

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  • [–] 8 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Many people who get angry at strangers easily see someone apologizing as legitimatizing their anger, and people not apologizing as not understanding they are wrong. I don't think there is a good solution if people can't just accept that other people make mistakes and move on without any needed follow up.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    I live in Hawai'i and, as far as I can tell, we have far fewer road rage incidents than other parts of the US (but not zero). I honestly think a lot of it has to do with us having a third hand-gesture: the shaka (I mention this elsewhere in this discussion). The shaka is truly amazing. You give it when someone lets you in the lane AND you can give it when you mess up and everyone understands that it's you admitting your mistake. Might even get a shaka in response for giving the penitential one. It's awesome.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

    Telling people in New England to use the Shaka hand gesture is gonna end up a lot different.

    Best case scenario, they think it’s the “I love you” hand sign. 🤟

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    Yeah, I was just sort of answering the initial question of "How do you communicate..." I imagine in New England the response to the shaka might be "What?! You want me to call you?! How 'bout I call you an asshole, cuz that's what you are! Asshole!" lol

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