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When one person does something nice for another person, I think it’s reasonable for the dispenser of the kind gesture to expect some sort of acknowledgement from the recipient. This is usually in the form of a “thank you” or, while on our nations highways and byways, a wave (or possibly a honk of the horn, though I much prefer the wave). This latter scenario is the one I’d like to focus on today.

I tend to be a bit of a prick behind the wheel. I drive too fast, I tailgate slower drivers (not right on their bumpers, but I maintain less than the one car length per 10 mph suggested by my driver’s ed class), and usually make a concerted effort to not allow people to pull into my lane ahead of me. I’m a good driver, I just readily acknowledge the fact that if I was driving alongside me in traffic, I’d probably get annoyed with me.

It’s because of this self-awareness that when I actually make an effort to be a nice guy behind the wheel and said efforts are not acknowledged, I get annoyed. If I were to give someone a present, and then proceeded to watch them open it and then not thank me or even acknowledge the fact that I gave them the gift, I would be annoyed. Same thing on the road. If I wave you into my lane or wave you thru a four-way stop even though it’s my turn, show some appreciation. Wave. Nod your head. Honk your horn. That’s all I ask. I know it’s not a big thing that I’m doing, but I’m making an effort to be nice, and I’d like to see some fucking gratitude for it.

P.S. - Two side notes.

1. Despite being a traffic jerk, I don’t really get road rage. I might let out the occasional primal scream in my car when I’m sitting still in gridlock, but I’ve never really felt the urge to fight anyone because of an incident during a commute or something.
2. I also get annoyed when people wave me on thru four-way stops when it’s CLEARLY my turn to go. “Oh, you’re going to let me go ahead of you like I’m supposed to? Thanks, what a sweetie pie you are. Ass.”