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I keep thinking this, then not posting about it because I’m not sure whether I’ve already posted it or not.
TBH I’m not entirely sure whether I’ve posted this before, either.
Getting old sucks! I suspect a big part of this was my mental wobble a few years ago. It seems to have impacted my short-term memory, which is both good and bad.
Crikey. Who'd have thought people get so wound up when you try to be nice to them... :-/
I pretty much never turn right across someone waiting without offering them the chance to pull out should they want to. It's nice to be let out when you're struggling for a break in the traffic. Or at least, I think it is. Didn't realise what a monster I was being 😉
I refuse to let others make my decision over when it’s safe or appropriate to move on…
Of course. It was the inattention I was whining about. Like, in a supermarket queue at the self-service tills I'll be watching for a till to become available; invariably I'll wind up stood behind someone who's taken a forensic interest in the roof.
I pretty much never turn right across someone waiting without offering them the chance to pull out should they want to. It’s nice to be let out when you’re struggling for a break in the traffic. Or at least, I think it is. Didn’t realise what a monster I was being 😉
Which is great, so long as you attempt to communicate your intentions in some manner rather than just dribbling to a halt in the middle of the carriageway for no immediately discernible reason.
People who flash and gesture to try and get me to pull out in front of them when it’s their priority… Maybe you are you letting me know your brakes have failed and I need to get out the way?
Drivers who flash and gesture to other people to go against priority across the cycle way that I’m currently cycling along, and the drivers who obey them and pull their stupid manoeuvres without checking for themselves whether it’s even appropriate or safe for them to do so.
I’ve seen it suggested that it’s also a known cash-for-crash ploy to encourage people to go against priority and then crash into them so that they’re undeniably in the wrong when insurance gets involved.
Online popups and menus that don't give me the NO option. Instead I have YES and MAYBE LATER or NOT TODAY. Just a no option please.
After riding a section of the West Highland Way yesterday near Fort William, I have the below:
- Overly chirpy and enthusiastically Americans (applauding me and telling me how great I was for riding up a tame bit of trail)
- Miserable and grumpy English (cheer up FFS, you're walking amongst some of the finest scenery in the UK in glorious sunshine)
- Me for allowing the above to annoy me (it didn't really annoy me that much, I was too busy doing something I love doing).
I think "colourway" is maybe forgivable if used to mean a colour scheme or combination of colours. One colour? No.
Online popups and menus that don’t give me the NO option. Instead I have YES and MAYBE LATER or NOT TODAY. Just a no option please.
Both still (slightly) more forgivable than when you have the choice of "Yes" and "I'll do it later".
NO I **** WON'T
I think it was Microsoft's website once, I got a pop-up asking me if I'd be willing to take a one-question survey [yes|no]. Didn't give me much of an option there lads, did you.
I'll counter a post above. Flash me out at a junction and I'll stay until the cows come home. I have to assume that the flash is to let me know you are there and no more. After all isn't that what the Highway Code says? As I can see you I have to question your sanity and feel best that pulling out is not a wise move. I'll let you get away to wherever you want to go first. If you want to cut the corner a bit you can get stuffed.
Can I add groups of walkers who seem to think that any country road without a white line is actually a path for them to spread right across and that when moving aside go to both sides at once.
In fact can I add dimwitted drivers of wide, posh, new cars who seem to think that they don't have to pull over on to the verge and up against the hedge. Don't fancy it? Stay in the city as my dad would say. In fact he once kindly pulled his Land Rover up onto the bank on his side ensuring that he only used half the tarmac. If the BMW driver had done the same he could have got passed. As he jst sat and waited my dad locked up and went to feed his sheep.
Wow...
Drivers who flash and gesture to other people to go against priority across the cycle way that I’m currently cycling along, and the drivers who obey them and pull their stupid manoeuvres without checking for themselves whether it’s even appropriate or safe for them to do so.
Same on the bike. I ignore, or shake head when they offer me the right of way at junctions or turning, especially when theres a lot of traffic. I'll go when I think it is safe to go, and not rely on someone who maybe being inside a car hasnt as wide a viewing angle as i have, or isnt reading the traffic conditions right.
You can fail a driving test for going when flashed by a car. If only more drivers could remember what they learnt to get their license....
Football people. I'm not sure why they annoy me so much.
There's a whole load of things that get my back up but the latest is the way my kids' school are continually ramming football down the kids throats. They've got some company coming in with an inflatable goal where the kids take shots and the speed of the ball is measured. OK, fine BUT we have to get sponsorship for them to do this. I mean WTF? My daughters couldn't care less about football, yet its mandatory to take part...now we have to go round getting sponsors so this company get paid and the school gets what's left. The incentive is a load of landfill with this companies name all over it. If we're getting sponsors I'd rather it be for something that's a challenge not this BS.
Don't get me started about the football lot that use the pitches across at the gym I go to...
Pointless discussion really because as mentioned above somewhere, you can't just invent rules and expect others to know what they are BUT, flashing someone isn't (to me at least, or anyone with any sense) saying that it's safe to pull out. No way.
The final onus of whether it is safe or not is ALWAYS with the person waiting to pull out. But by flashing someone (again, to me at least) you are basically taking one element of the bunch of elements that you consider when pulling out, out of the equation for them . You're saying, I'm going to allow you to make your decision without having to worry about this part of what's happening.
I think we can all agree that flashing never means it is safe for you to pull out because I've flashed at you. It's just a courtesy. A paying forward. Being nice. Giving someone an opportunity that they can either take or not take.
It's like waiting a few moments holding a door open because you can see someone approaching carrying a load of boxes. Doesn't cost me anything. Greases the wheels of humanity.
I'd be very happy to leave you miserable, highway code-obssesive, angst-bags sitting in a junction all day if it makes you happy. Explains a lot about why the roads are such horrible, stressy places to be sometimes.
I'll carry on being nice to people. I enjoy the thumbs ups, the waves and the thanks.
See Ogmios.
A webinar entitled "How to support inclusion in 5 minutes"
Runs 12.00 to 12.15.
I think we can all agree that flashing never means it is safe for you to pull out because I’ve flashed at you. It’s just a courtesy. A paying forward. Being nice. Giving someone an opportunity that they can either take or not take.
I think you're severely over estimating the ability of the average motorist. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a large minority, if not majority will take a flash as a green light to go, and will then attempt to pin the blame on you if they get it wrong.
I don't flash anyone, I'll leave a space if possible, it's there for you to make a decision, if you're paying attention. I'm not your mum, I'm not holding your hand for you.
I don’t flash anyone, I’ll leave a space if possible, it’s there for you to make a decision,
I guess that goes back to Cougar's point about not giving someone any indication of anything. How are they supposed to know you're aware of them? A flash is at least giving you a fleeting connection of sorts. About all you can do on the road in separated metal boxes.
I’d be very happy to leave you miserable, highway code-obssesive, angst-bags sitting in a junction all day if it makes you happy. Explains a lot about why the roads are such horrible, stressy places to be sometimes.
I’ll carry on being nice to people. I enjoy the thumbs ups, the waves and the thanks.
It's got nothing to do with being happy, we're all following the same set of rules, when someone changes the rules without telling anyone else it causes confusion in some instances, with everyone sat there looking at each other and noone moving.
I get it regularly when pulling into my drive, 20 limit, long straight road and I want to reverse on, if there's something coming that other way I'll wait with my indicator on until they've passed, at least once a week someone will stop in the middle of the road and flash me (not like that) so I can pull onto the drive, unfortunately they always stop where I'm going to pull up to before I reverse in, so they're now in the way and a ridiculous game of charades starts as they insist I go.
The horrible positioning of 'Street Furniture' that messes with my attempts at photography.
I guess that goes back to Cougar’s point about not giving someone any indication of anything. How are they supposed to know you’re aware of them? A flash is at least giving you a fleeting connection of sorts. About all you can do on the road in separated metal boxes.
I'm looking at the driver where possible and I'll go if I'm comfortable, whether they've flashed or not.
I agree with kayak ^^^ in general BUT when I'm trying to turn right off the main road, across the rush hour traffic coming the other way and someone flashes me across without checking their nearside mirror and there's a cycle lane full of schoolchildren right next to them and they're blocking my view of it THIS makes me angry. And they sit there with a gormless look on their face, not understanding me pointing at the child they STILL haven't noticed zooming past on their left side, thinking I'm the brainless one, then this is what makes me angry and I don't remotely think it's disproportionate.
...I lost control of that sentence at some point. Hopefully it gets the point across :-p
In short, I think flashing is ok IF AND ONLY IF both parties use common sense and check all around first... flashing is a warning, end of story. Someone using flashing to let you out? They are still essentially saying "look at me" so that's still a warning of sorts, if someone flashes me first look to check what they mean, then check it's actually safe because they probably haven't checked around them, then go if safe (and don't just sit there to make a point).
Wow I'm rambling today.
"In fact can I add dimwitted drivers of wide, posh, new cars who seem to think that they don’t have to pull over on to the verge and up against the hedge. Don’t fancy it? '
Often wonder what happens when two bloaters meet, I get the feeling they are reliant on meeting normal width vehicles.
So to this list, although it's probably not mildly cross - over wide cars.
I’m looking at the driver where possible and I’ll go if I’m comfortable, whether they’ve flashed or not.
Username checks out. (-:
If we're following the letter of The Highway Code then a flash of lights means the same as the horn - it is to alert other road users of your presence. If anything, flashing out another driver should mean the exact opposite of "I'm letting you out."
In practice though, everyone knows what it means, you'd have to be particularly obtuse to claim otherwise. And yes of course it's on the driver who is being let out to still check that it's safe, you wouldn't blindly stroll into a building on fire because someone held the door open and said "after you."
Back when I passed my test THC stated that when you have two cars coming in opposite directions wanting to turn right at a crossroads, you're supposed to pass and go round the back of each other. In ~35 years of driving I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that unless the lanes are explicitly marked as such on the junction. If you tried to turn that way you'd cause chaos, especially if there was more than one vehicle waiting to turn. Sometimes reality and the rules don't align exactly (it seems THC has acknowledged this now and updated the rule to offer options, Rule 181).
In practice though, everyone knows what it means, you’d have to be particularly obtuse to claim otherwise. And yes of course it’s on the driver who is being let out to still check that it’s safe, you wouldn’t blindly stroll into a building on fire because someone held the door open and said “after you.
Well of course, but I've seen more than a few near misses (and a couple of actual hits) where people have just pulled out after someone's flashed them. I work on the assumption that you're an idiot and I'd rather be pleasantly surprised to find you aren't than vice versa.
For the same reason I don't always pull out of a side junction if a car coming from the right is indicating to turn into the road I'm waiting to pull out of, people change their mind at the last minute or are so dim they haven't noticed their indicator is still on from 3 miles back. Sadly for a large minority of drivers the act of driving isn't currently in the top 10 things they're thinking about.
Username checks out. (-:
You've lost me there...
Back when I passed my test THC stated that when you have two cars coming in opposite directions wanting to turn right at a crossroads, you’re supposed to pass and go round the back of each other. In ~35 years of driving I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone do that unless the lanes are explicitly marked as such on the junction. If you tried to turn that way you’d cause chaos, especially if there was more than one vehicle waiting to turn. Sometimes reality and the rules don’t align exactly (it seems THC has acknowledged this now and updated the rule to offer options, Rule 181).
It happens, but it's very rare.
I got whinged at yesterday as I wasn't prepared to sit in a box junction with my caravan and completely block a roundabout, just so the clown behind me could move a few feet forward, people are morons.
Stolen from another thread:
Tap rhythmically on my desk when doing admin on the PC? Check
You wouldn't live long doing that within earshot of me.. see also repeatedly clicking retractable biro pens.
People who say I'm going to the Dolomites and the alps.
They're the same thing.... the Dolomites are part of the alps, not a separate mountain range..... and there's a great many out crops deposits off Dolomite rock and several national parks in Italy with Dolomite in the name.
Besides that, the area around Rosengarten and Drei Sinnen is full to the brim during the tourist season where you'll spend longer sitting in traffic or waiting for an overpriced cappuccino than you will walking to the hut from the car park... but there lots of other, equally impressive bits that are off the tourist trail.
An old school tumble dryer used to take hour and a half to dry a large loaf of clothes. This is the conversation I have with current one
Me: How long to dry my clothes please?
TD: 3 hours
Me: it's just a half load
TD:3 hours
Me: nothing heavy all fairly light
TD: 3 hours
Me: selects 2 hours
Td: your clothes are ready sir, damp as you requested
Me: it's just one sock grrrtrrrrtrrrrrrrrrgggggfhhyhhh
Selfish freshers walking three abreast down a pavement,like the human version of a snowplough blade.
I am that rock in the river,the rock that says " EXCUSE ME "
🙂 😉
People who walk about looking at their feet or at a phone. How hard is it to look where you're actually going.
Colleagues who don't understand they have two ears and one mouth that should be used in that ratio. Don't ask a question then talk over the person answering.
Speaking with colleagues this morning. You have asked, and I have answered. That you don't like the answer is not my fault, a problem, or a way of making your life difficult, I am not 'doing it on purpose' or any other school playground tactic that you choose to employ to make yourself feel better about the reality you're choosing to ignore.
...And breathe
Appliances with complicated controls with too many buttons, the ones that are 'smart' just why?
I remove my Apple Watch to prepare food, etc.
I figured that if I put it into low power mode whilst it’s ‘resting’, I could conserve its battery.
but to do this, I have to press three buttons in sequence, and also remember to bring it out of low power mode when I reattach it to my wrist (phew).
surely Apple could come up with a short cut?
My least favourite "flashing to make you do something stupid on the road" is on the motorway where someone you think is passing you jumps on the brakes 1.0 metres short of your rear bumper and frantically flashes is if to encourage you to pull out into no space whatsoever, and then sits there until you do actually catch up with the slower vehicle in front and now you're stuck. And if the other driver had carried on at the speed they were doing they'd be over the next hill by now. lose-lose.
And have you noticed the main offenders for flashing their lights are those who have the pointlessly powerful dazzly lamps, is it to show off that their boss let them have an upgrade from the standard repmobile?
Selfish freshers walking three abreast down a pavement,like the human version of a snowplough blade.
I am that rock in the river,the rock that says ” EXCUSE ME ”
I just stand still and wait for them to work it out. You want to walk 17-abrest, fine, but don't expect me to jump into traffic in order to satiate your idiocy.
Shallow pockets. I have some nice New Balance joggers but the pockets are approximately half a iPhone deep. So every time I sit down the contents of my pockets redistribute themselves all over the floor/sofa/car/etc. FFS would it have cost that much more to make them a bit deeper or god forbid put a zip on them. I now have a non negotiable requirement on any new joggers or shorts to have zip pockets.
I annoyed my self today by using the term "golden", as in "you're golden you don't have to do this task".
Worse, I did it twice.
Describing things as “cheeky”
What about footpaths? Is it ok to call them cheeky trails?