I am continually amazed at how thoughtful people are on the busy, crazy roads down here in the south. I grew up with Minnesota Nice, but that doesn't include on the road. Everyone fends for themselves on the road Up North. Yet if you do the Road Dance with confidence, knowing that no one is going to slow down for you, it all works out.
Down South people actually stop to let others make right hand turns in front of them when the traffic is busy. A quick wink of the lights means go ahead. I've even seen both lanes of traffic come to a stop so that a person can make a left hand turn across traffic. This is so thoughtful! Of course, I never think to pause for someone else...I'm from Up North.
There was a time, however, where I just could not let myself make a turn. This was when I was at a lighted intersection waiting to turn left. The light turned green which meant as soon as traffic was clear I could turn. The first oncoming car was going to wait for me to turn before he started to go. It was a nice gesture, but I just couldn't do it. My dad's defensive driving drills just wouldn't let me. After all, if he decided to go once I was already turning, whose fault would the be? It might be hard to prove that this gentleman was coaxing me to go in front of him.
This thoughtfulness of other drivers and a willingness to put aside a few precious moments to help someone else get on the road (or off), is something I appreciate in the south. Maybe tomorrow I'll wait and let someone go in front of me...
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