Rude gestures and driving
By frenchieman •
Is it just me or has anyone else notice the recent rise in drivers making rude gestures (shaking fists and middle fingers up)? I thought this was against the law here. Until this past few weeks, I never saw this here.
This morning I saw another. An Indian man in a Toyota pick-up cut off what I think was a Qatari (young guy, white land cruiser, thobe and baseball hat). The local was rightly upset, but then he went off road, zoomed ahead and then cut the Indian off. He then stuck his hand out of his window and flipped him off! All of this in heavy traffic near the equestrian roundabout. I was shocked, as I have never seen a local do this here so blatantly. I see this all the time in Europe but not here.
yes flor, I am proud of it, any problems with that?
:D
I always blow a kiss too, and now hubby is doing the same, scares them off.
proud of it??????????????
Learned that from a Kiwi friend of mine. She was the worst driver in the world, but had the Qataris wrapped around her finger.
Minoush...that's Haram. :P
Brilliant Minoush! Maybe I will try that next time ;-)
I usually blow a kiss to an aggressive driver. They get really confused and mad, but I think embarrassed, too as they drive off without trying to seek revenge.
Careless and Stupid drivers are everywhere they don't really value their lives as other people do.
We cannot avoid these kind of rude people whenever we go outside.
I filed a complaint against a local who flipped the 'F' word at me.
It was taken seriously, files were charged, and he ended up being fined QR3000.
No Xena, it was easy to see he was more "hurt" by my laughter (because I kept laughing about 5 minutes) - maybe something more of us aged challenged women should use when coming in contact with any idiot man.
I often just shake my head, and observe their expressions in mirrors. It's hilarious, because they know they have acted badly.
to flip the bird... but don't let anyone else try it, you'd be locked up...
Lol MaryC - Middle aged women? - I would definately have flipped him for that;-P
It used to be that drivers were careful and not many rude gestures for fear that one would piss of the wrong persons.
whilst i'm a strong advocate of "flipping the bird", it's not recommended in this country given my recent run-in with authorities :)
It is unlikely, IMHO, that a national will be (a) reported for rude gestures, and (b) if reported, will be treated similar to an expat.
That said, I had an "encounter" with a young local, who tried to make a 4th lane in a 3 lane road and then tried to "intimidate" me by pulling alongside me, removing his sunglasses and making a strange face. I burst out laughing and kept laughing! He was embarrassed. (I also happened to have my camera and took a picture of his license plate as he squeezed into the lane beside me). I mentioned it to a local colleague and asked if he thought I might be in trouble if the driver reported the incident to the police. My colleague laughed and said the driver would be too humiliated to actually report me, that the driver would be scolded for being aggressive (and driving in a negligent manner) towards a middle aged woman.
Ending a terrible day full of argumentative meetings and was just not in mood to speed up in my small lancer, am in the middle lane driving 50 or 60 in front of city center and all of a sudden this concord comes flying from extreme left and wants to go extreme right and with a water tanker on my right, started honking and flashing lights.. I just waved my hand like asking a question " whats up?" and I get a big "you M$@*^% F#!)*#R" from this local.
Till this date I dont understand what was the reason that I got that big fat compliment from a guy who was driving a Range Rover and sweared at me in clear crisp accent - not the local qatari sweet english accent?
West invades the East!
I was heading for Central Market driving my little small VW Beetle, and i decided to change the track on the right with proper indication and came to the right side of the road, i guess about 200 meters away was a GMC Sierra driven by a Qatari, got super annoyed on a how a small beetle came across his path and he started flashing & honking at me with anger. By the way this episode was about 50 meters to the round about. I was thinking why was he so upset and rude. As he had no way to fly above cars. Seeing his urgency, i pulled over off road to the right, opened my window and said " Salam Walekum Ya Shaikh" How are you ? Please forgive me for the Sake of God, forgive me to cross your way ? Please accept my apology as i did not see you. He smiled back being embarrassed and said, its okie and he had nothing more to tell me. And again I said I am extremely sorry and we smiled and he & and his friend drove away.. After that he remained clam and slow on the road. I am sure he wont do what he did with me with anyone. lol
that the test is difficult out here? like everything else it depends on the day and on the mood of the examiner, how else do the crash dummies landcruisers get licences
can't blame the local guy. half of the expats male drivers don't know how to drive (not using signals when turning, etc.. etc...) i wonder how they pass the driving examination here....
The sale of knives, Millwall shirts and baseball bats is set to skyrocket then
yes it's happen time to time. local thinks others must have to obey them on road. so when they need space you must have to give them, but you can't take space from them.
that's their streategy. if you don't follow you have to see lots of different gestures and many more things....
Ah.. Western culture slowly being adopted :O)
Should be happy that something from the west is being copied and hope that others may follow....whether it is or would be good can't say though...
An older local guy flipped me too, just cos I beeped him for stopping on a corner.
I have not seen this sort of rude gesture lately, but plenty of extra honking, shaking fists and aggressive driving these past few weeks. Perhaps it's the change in weather.
They are trying hard to copy the mad West!