When a car is at a junction, are you more likely to let the driver pull out in front of you if;
1, they are in the same car as you,
2, they are in a car you would like, or
3, you let anyone out.
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It depends. Would tend to let out someone in same model of car as me. Other factors are:
1. Whether I'm in a hurry (letting them in probably makes no real difference to my journey time but if I'm feeling in a rush I'd be less likely to.
2. How assertively they are pushing forward. When there is queue of stationary or very slow moving traffic on the road they are trying to join, some drivers drive up to a junction as if they expect to be let in - sort of pushing in regardless of whether anyone has waved them on. I invariably don't let these people in. However if a driver stops behind the line and makes eye contact with me I will usually let them in. It's a kind of etiquette thing.
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I let anyone out. I'm rarely in the position nowadays where a few seconds in a journey are of earth-shaking importance to me. If I can help ease the stress level in another car, all the better.
But, there's always an exception. A couple of weeks ago I had 3 separate incidents on consecutive days with the same car, a silver Merc estate, reg, OOB1G (honestly). Not my fault, of course, but I would say that wouldn't I? The driver was probably late for an appointment with his/her therapist.
I would think twice about letting that car out:-)
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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Never considered the type of car when deciding to let someone out. If they are paying attention, and my letting them in won't adversely affect traffic behind me they get a flash. Being considerate to one driver is quickly negated by being inconsiderate to many others behind you.
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Most people including BMW Drivers however if someone has been tailgating me for a while trying to make me go faster cause they are in a hurry then i,ll let HGV'S out great fun just to watch their expression.
And they say there is no fun left in motoring
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Pologirl is as shallow as they come...
Never let pretty women out, or those with an attractive man in the passenger seat. They've already had their share of luck!
Always let buses out because it looks like the most soul destroying job in the world.
Never let learners out.
Never let dented cars out, because I want to be in front if they do something stupid, so that I can claim on their insurance!
Always let attractive men out, unless their car is rubbish. Chances of being let out can be increased by dressing well and wearing expensive sunglasses.
BMW drivers - usually let men out, and also those of the tinted window/drug dealer variety. Don't want to be shot for delaying them!
I usually let other Polos out, except if they're of the most recent model because it's an awful car and the drivers should be made to regret their purchase at every opportunity.
Never let cars out that are being driven by people who look like daddy bought the car for them. They need to learn they can't have their own way all the time!
Men with lovely smiles always get let out, even if they just want to walk across the road!
And finally, I never ever let people out who have already edged into the road. Would rather drive around them than have them bully their way in.
(Ever so slightly tongue in cheek but all true!)
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So, we BMW drivers get a special mention. No worries.
My experience is that we have the special ability to 'make someone's day' just by letting them overtake or claim priority over a BMW (even my 320d). It's amazing actually how many non-BMW drivers are apparently desperate to do this, so I'm usually happy to comply.
In any case, on the long haul, I find I'm back in front again, as the overtakers have made a fuel stop which for me wasn't necessary.
Oz (as was)
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Pologirl is as shallow as they come... Never let pretty women out, or those with an attractive man in the passenger seat. They've already had their share of luck!
I can't compete with that tour de force of logic! PoloGirl, you've got a book in you somewhere (or at lesat a regular newspaper column)
My own approach is much more humdrum. I try to let people out whenever I can, 'cos it reduces stress and makes everyone's day nicer. [cue warm, smug glow of self-righteousness]
However, in order to give ppl an incentive to be as nice as me [cue smug grin No. 2], there are some folks I may not let out. These are basically those drivers who I think might not do the same for others.
So that means no BMW drivers (usually too pushy), no learners (usually too nervous to say thanks), women pretier than me (that's most of them), no dented cars (same reasons as PoloGirl), Daddy-bought cars, open-top cars (always brash drivers), bullies who push their way out, people with personalised plates (unless they are funny), cars with fins and go-faster stripes (pushy punks), cars with shiny wheels (if you've got time to polish them you've got time to wait).
All of he above is overridden, of course, by the Golden Rule: always let a man out if he shoots me a winning smile that reminds me I am the most gorgeous girl he's ever seen. Extra points if he can blow me a kiss without looking cheesey or underming it by smirking.
Simple, really, innit?
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>> Pologirl is as shallow as they come... I can't compete with that tour de force of logic! PoloGirl, you've got a book in you somewhere (or at lesat a regular newspaper column)
I wish! I'd love my own column but it would probably lead to me having my licence taking off me as I detail the weekly (mis)adventures of Polo and Pologirl!
On the other hand, weekly column could lead to me being spotted as the female voice of motoring, a spot on Top Gear and a long and happy life with Richard Hammond... now there's an idea. ;-)
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My rule is "After me, you're first"!
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Anybody, as long as they aren't bullying me to do so.
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I generally let anyone out if there is not going to be more people held up behind me that what I'm letting out...ie. I don't let people out when the lights in front are green, the people pulling up to red ones can do that.
I don't let people out if they look as though they won't acknowledge me or look like scum. I've also started thinking twice before letting buses out, due to the way they are now used as rolling road blocks around here.
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I think PoloGirl's got it spot on.
If she's a honey I let her out. If the car is 'meals on wheels' ie full of Babes, I'll slam on the brakes if I need to. If it's Japanese I let it out because it won't break down in front of me. If the car itself is good looking I wave it out.
No 4x4s, BMWs, people on mobiles, Citroens or people not looking the right way.
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"No 4x4s, BMWs, people on mobiles, Citroens or people not looking the right way."
Citroens? Are you serious?
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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Citroens? Are you serious?
Sorry Hawkeye, I am. Strange, but true. The only French cars I let out in the UK are:
Citroen DS
Peugeot 205/206
Renault Clio in a good colour.
If you drive a French car it's got to be a looker. I'd also let out Renault Avantimes, Alpines or 5s in good nick, but it never happens!
It's that feeling of 'it could be me' which pierces my conscience. It couldn't be me in those cars because my Father would never speak to me again if I bought French.
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Oh hell!
I've started an anti Citroen thread. Graeme, back me up here.
I always let out a big Citroen, never a Saxo with fog lights on a clear day.
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Never cars that look like bangers, as you just know they are going to belch thick black smoke all over you as soon as they pull out, you end up choking on fumes.
Never 4x4s or cars will loads of kids in driven by women, walk to school and i will stop and let you cross the road!
Would let out other bugs and wave!
Normally HGVs as they are doing a job not driving about for fun!
same goes for vans and other work vehicles.
Even let out a tractor once, although after abuse from teh drive behind me not made that mistake again!!!
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In Manila, no one, unless the distance between him and you is thinner than the skin on your paint....
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Anyone turning right, unless the road's clear behind me.
People who are turning left generally can cope without my help.
V
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I let most people out - if they're indicating!
There is one junction though where I won't let anyone out if I can help it, people use a country back road as a short cut to avoid the queue of traffic at the motorway junction I do my very best to prevent them from carrying out such ignorant and selfish behaviour!
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I do my very best to prevent them from carrying out such ignorant and selfish behaviour!
that bit was tongue in cheek right?
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Yes it was - although I do get quite annoyed at those people that take the 'short cut'
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Yes it was - although I do get quite annoyed at those people that take the 'short cut'
Why???
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then why not take the same short cut yourself?
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Because it's not actually any shorter, it's a narrow country lane that some people use to 'skip' a section of the main road that tends to queue in the mornings (just north of the M4 Bath junction) - it's similar to people moving into the outside lane when queueing at roadworks on a motorway then pushing in at the last minuete when the lane closes. It disrupts the traffic on the main road and slows down the majority for the benefit of the few.
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People who don't go to the cones confuse me. why start queuing 1 mile before you have to, just because it's in the British mentality?
If more people start using the 'short cut' then it will no longer be a short cut will it as there will be a balance of traffic.
I suppose you think that people who go right at a roundabout and go all the way around before taking what would have been the left exit are also not playing fair.
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Well I suppose it depends on the type of person you are. If everone's forming a single queue at Mcdonalds do you start a new one of your own at the other end of the counter? Do step into the front of the queue at the post office when the person at the front looks the other way for an instant?
The two examples you use (and mine) demonstrate situations where an individual takes an action to save themselves time by slowing other people down - fine, but don't expect me to show any more regard for your time then you've just shown for mine by letting you in.
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I wish someone would let me out of the busy T junction I queue at every morning - waiting to turn right across two lanes of traffic. The busier of the two lanes of the traffic is from my left. I have now got to the stage of positioning my car just over the white line in the centre of the road and placing my car at an angle to make it more difficult for people approaching from my left who want to turn right into the junction I am waiting to pull out of in the hope that it would be easier for them to let me out before they turn off. Nope, doesn't work - they just struggle to manoeuvre around me while looking at me in disgust because I am in their way. And being totally sexist here, it is usually mothers taking their little darlings to the school down the road that do it. Most people that let me out are male drivers.
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Anyone except those aggressive pushers who seem to think they have right to join the main road 'now'!
Please, if you currently don't, check your rear-view mirror before slowing or stopping to let someone out. If by allowing 1 car out you delay the free-flowing traffic behind you it's extremely annoying.
I wonder if letting out is more likely to be done to make the letter feel good about themselves when the letee waves thanks, rather than as a genuine attempt to improve traffic flow?
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Nice man in a new BMW let me through this a.m. - I did check for an ambush, but it was AOK!
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Anybody who looks at me and smiles politely. Particularly, of course if she's suitably pretty!
Best way to get out of a junction is to catch the eye of a not-too pretty girl (or any girl who is 10 or more years older than me) and give her the biggest and best smile that I can. It'll make her day, and you'll get straight out.
I'd never thought about blowing a kiss as well, but maybe I'll bear it in mind!
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I did once manage to defuse a potential road rage incident at a section of road where two lanes merged to one. I was in the outside lane (yes, in a BMW...ok...) and the other bloke in the inside lane was not only determined not to let me in in front of him, he was clearly determined to block me out of the inside lane completely. If I movedforward, so did he. If I braked to let him go ahead, he braked to keep me out.
I was beginning to wonder if there was a way out of this that didn't involve bent metal, when I managed to make eye contact. He had a face like thunder, so I gave him a big cheesy grin and a full Graham Norton-style pucker.
At this point, I should explain that Mrs Patently will confirm that this is not my normal reaction to other men, by the way...
I think he froze in shock at the wheel there and then, but whatever happened I was long gone before he reacted.
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>When a car is at a junction, are you more likely to let the >driver pull out in front of you if;
1, Its Pologirl
Now thats a real quandry. Do you let her in front so you can see whats happening to her but risk getting bits of red polo flying back at you
Or do you keep her behind, nervous in the knowledge that *anything* could be happening back there......
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Girls mostly, although looks can be deceiving if I?m driving around Brighton, hehehe.
My level of interest in their car also comes into it. I always used to let Bangle?s masterpieces out until I became bored with ?em all. The new Vectra?s don?t get much of a look in either as their slab-like backsides bore me rotten. They?re also so rarely driven by any smiley women, unless there?s a Vectragirl to prove me wrong?
k
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It's a very important issue. I'll tend to let out...
All buses...they've a job to do.
All lorries...ditto.
All vans on legit business...but not those going round nicking stuff.
All Citroen's...to even the balance with maz keeping them waiting.
All 4x4s...why not?
One in ten BMWs...just to prove I have power over them. Of course this balance is tipped right the other way when we move house and see our invoices for fees.
Anyone who looks nervous that they aren't going to be let out.
Mum's in people carriers...just to ease their day a little.
Medium attractive girls whatever they drive...but not the ones who are *too* pretty with long straight blonde hair.
Women who look like they could lay a concrete garage base or tack your horse up for you...you never know when you might want a favour returned.
Anyone in a stolen car...they will ram you at the slightest excuse.
Police cars...obviously.
But beware, if you want to push out I'll go every last inch to close that gap...and statistics dictate my car (although cherished) will be worth much less/cheaper to repair than yours.
That's about covered it.
M.M
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Hi HF - How are you?
I haven't heard from you for a little while!
I let out just about anyone, but if there is a queue on a side road I may just let out a couple of them, not the whole lot of them, I don't think the drivers behind would take that too well.
The only exceptions tend to be:
Drivers that I know have taken a short cut (colleagues, who drove through a residential area to avoid lights when I used to work for someone else). I would not add to their advantage given the chance. This was a great indication of their character in the work place IMO, selfish without a care how their actions may affect their colleagues or other road users.
Aggressive drivers, ones that seem to think it's their divine right to be let out.
Drivers that are NOT PAYING ATTENTION. These people shouldn't be allowed onto a main road by anyone!
Hugo
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Subarus.
especially the two local fast pursuit unmarked Imprezas!
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Thanks Roman 2000 fella, you're atoning for my sin. I can continue my vendetta against ugly French cars without guilt!
"Let a Pluriel out, they let everything in."
Maz.
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I tend to let out .. one in ten BMWs...just to prove I have power over them. >>
I like your list, M.M. However I've sold my BMW so no need for the 1-in-10 exception any more. You can now make all ten of them wait! ;~)
Strange, no-one has said about not letting Rover 75s out. I'm exactly the same driver behind the wheel of the Rover as I was in the BMW so I shouldn't get treated any differently!
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Hate to be pedantic about this, especially as your post is so accurate in every other aspect, but Polo is black :)
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In slow-moving traffic, anyone, so long as it doesn't excessively delay traffic behind. Ambulances or fire appliances, despite delaying traffic behind, plus police if they're in any sort of a hurry.
Drivers using mobiles or trying to force their way out (usually they do both at the same time) are exempt from the small courtesies extended to other road users.
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afm, that's all exactly my practice too.
Driving an automatic petrol-engined car, I found even fairly frequent pulling back to let others out to be very easy, almost seamless. Similarly with my current manual diesel where I can stay in fourth right down to tickover (800 rpm) and still pull away quite strongly. Not so easy in most petrol cars with manual gearboxes though.
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Hello Hugo,
Thanks for asking how I am! Not really appropriate for the forum though, so perhaps if either you or I asked the mods to forward an email address?
From this post I would like to tell them that it is fine to give you my addy.
To keep this slightly relevant - erm - I actually tend to be even more leeway-ish in letting out white van men types. Yes, HF is perverse. Not just the white ones (vans) obviously, but any workmen (or ladies) who it seems are working hard to do a job, whatever it is.
But I\'m also lovely in letting out anyone that I can, no matter who they are and what they\'re doing, as long as they don\'t pee me off by being aggressive.
HF
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