Art has often complained that (mostly YOUNG) women drivers often do not show simple courtesies like allowing somebody into their lane while driving. I told him he was generalising too much. Therefore, lately he's been pointing it out to me and you know what? I hate to say it, but it's true. Also, guys are more apt to wave to thank you for letting them into your lane. He also wanted me to add that young women tend to not let him cross the street at intersections when he's out running.
Why do you think this is?
I'm thinking girls' psyches are usually ingrained into being wary of strangers. Meeting a stranger's eyes to thank them on the road might be scary. Girls might also have the expectation that gentlemen are expected to let them into traffic, but that they should be allowed to go first and not let anybody in.
That's my excuse for my sex. It may not be the best excuse but a probable (reasonable?) explanation.
I think people are often conditioned to be a certain way. Teachers are conditioned to meeting people's eyes and being friendly. My kids were always surprised (occasionally rolling an eye or two?) that no matter where we travel I would bump into a teacher and would start having friendly conversations.
Art's doctor, within 10 minutes of his first visit asked, "Are you an engineer?"
Although I'm always in the passenger seat, I'm going to wave THANK YOU to every kind driver I see.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
17 comments:
I LOVE hearing from you!
However, if you sign in as ANONYMOUS, please don't forget to tell me who you are in the comment box by just writing your first name. We would all appreciate it if you kept your comment respectful and kind.
I apologize for having to use Word Verification occasionally, but the SPAM is making me crazy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
hmmm. The next time Lisa drives, I'll watch her. She is 27, is that young?
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I always stop for pedestrians. That's the law, you have to stop because they have the right of way. And I let other cars in before me -- and wave thanks, too.
This is Hawaii, we should show aloha.
Something I am noticing lately is the tooting of horns. Used to be rare because we tended to be laid back. Well, not so much anymore. Too bad, eh?
My observation:
ReplyDeleteAlmost without exception the only drivers who do not show respect to a funeral procession (ie, pull over as it passes) are young women.
And almost every young woman breaches this etiquette.
This is in stark contrast to the behaviour of males of any social & economic status.
I'm sorry to say that I've discovered the same thing over the years. Even where I worked, with the exception of teaching, I found that some young women could be quite ruthless as well as just plain rude, thoughtless. I found that to be really disturbing and wondered if it was just my take on things -- glad to know others have seen some of the same things.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your weekend, Kay!
Sylvia
Hmmm...I sure hope my daughter doesn't show disrespect in this way. I have mentioned several times to her in the past that its nice to let someone in to the lane you are in. I noticed when we were out and about on Friday that she automatically did just that! Hurray! And she waved "thanks" to a MALE driver who let her into a long line of traffic! Very interesting observation.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the same thing, here in Ireland too. Men driving oncoming cars on our roads always wave; women never. I do; I also let funerals pass and pedestrians cross...but then I always worked in public service (libraries) so maybe that's it? Or maybe I just had a wonderful mother who taught me manners, I'm thinking. LOL
ReplyDeleteI've got to pass this on to my daughter who just started driving--I hadn't thought to mention it to her, though I'd noticed it. It's embarassing to have to admit women aren't as courteous!
I think you're right however, that a bit of defensiveness may be part of it--behind the wheel of a car may be the *only* place where many women feel in control at all, and so they hang onto that control as tightly as they can.
It's an interesting topic anyhow.
I agree, younger girls(women) don't try and catch your eye to wave thank you. They are usually on the phone more too then boys(men) When i hear of accidents , blamed on cell phone use, it's usually a female behind the wheel!
ReplyDeleteIs it womens lib gone wrong. (only kidding!)
While that may be true [and that's not good], I think male driverd speed and tailgate more!
ReplyDeleteoh, really..next time I will watch and see of it's true..
ReplyDeletewell being a mother of four sons, I can't answer this question. You have a daughter...
ReplyDeletenever noticed this Kay, have to watch out for it, too bad.
ReplyDeleteI think we have done too good a job at building kids "self esteem" and making our daughters "assertive" and have lost the moral superiority that women used to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteBeing nice is the job of underlings, in our culture we prove our value by being arrogant.
"We don't owe courtesy to anyone, but expect it from everyone."
Sad.....But you and I grew up, they probably will too.
Aloha
Comfort Spiral
uhhhh... I think you're really a sweetheart, Kay. I can't say that I've noticed that they're less courteous as drivers... but I can tell you that they're a whole lot harder to deal with in a foster care situation. We took in foster kids for years, and I'd take all but one of the boys back into my home, and I'd lock the front door and run screaming out the back if I saw any of the girls coming.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of interested to watch and see what I notice in the next little while. And.... I'll be a lot more courteous myself now that you brought it to my attention.
Art and I have this in common. I am always pointing out to my wife of 54 years that the driver of that car is a woman or the driver who parked like this had to be a woman. We both laugh and Pat gave up trying to point out the men because they often turned out to be women. Now, with the long hair thing, it is difficult. Sometimes I will tell her that the person who cut us off was a woman and she will tell me it was a man with long hair.
ReplyDeleteNever noticed this...traffic in my country is ???....i don't have words for it...its like you are on a war and the roads are battle field ...
ReplyDeleteWhat I have noticed is that young people drive too fast. But now that you mentioned this, I´m going to watch for it.
ReplyDeleteI find that in many young people regardless of gender...
ReplyDeleteFunny. I have no better explanation. I am also frequently in the passenger seat, and I always give a wave to the other driver for a courtesy, even when Tom doesn't.
ReplyDelete