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.