Try the Wave
I know, I know, Philly’s really a walking town, not a driving one. And yet, since I got me one of them commuting jobs (i.e., a driving commute), I’ve become an observer of Philly’s driving etiquette. Or the lack thereof.
I mean, really: has no one in this city mastered the art of the courtesy wave?
It’s a simple thing really. You’re on 76, or 676, or 95, or really any of our major commuting roads, since they all have their, um, adventurous merges. Someone else on the road cuts you a break so you actually have a chance to merge with the road instead of with the concrete barrier where the entry ramp tapers into non-existence.
Then you wave. Nothing huge, but some small “hello, thanks for being nice to me when it wasn’t required and I appreciate the kindness” gesture. (No, not that gesture. Hold your fingers together, please.) Is it really that difficult an action to take?
I guess so.
I always make sure to give a little wave when someone lets me in on the road. But learned to drive in Oregon, where people are just nicer.
People don’t do the walking wave, either. I always make a point to do something when a car lets me cut or jay-walk, but most people don’t wave to the car that stopped to let them cut.
As a Philly kid who’s moved to Dallas, I can tell you the courtesy wave is alive and well here. In Philadelphia we give the finger - in Texas we use the whole hand.
Marisa, Christie, good points about the regionality of the courtesy wave. Although I learned to drive in New Jersey, so I’m not sure where I ended up with the habit so well-instilled.
Suzanne, I hadn’t put much thought to the walking wave. I’m not sure if I remember that courtesy: I’d like to think so, but I’m just not sure. Thanks for giving me something to think about!!