America is a strange country. I love that Russian comedian who jokes about
the "special" American salute with the middle finger to welcome newcomers to
America.

My vanagon is in good condition and usually I have no problem keeping up
with traffic or even passing others on the road here in S. California.

I had an interesting thing happen on the freeway a few weeks ago returning
home from San Diego traveling 20 miles North up to our home in Cardiff in
very congested traffic. I merged in front of a speeding driver with lots of
time and room for a merge. I had my signal on and after I merged he passed
me on the left (from the shoulder) and abruptly cut me off giving me the
middle finger salute (No signal and missed me by about 6 inches.) I got
caught up in the moment due to his reckless driving and gave the finger back
and then went on about my business and passed him when traffic allowed
merging over to the right lane preparing for an exit soon thereafter. He
followed me weaving in and out of traffic. I stopped at a crowded filling
station near my home(to be sure there were witnesses if anything happened)
and asked him what his problem was. He accused me of cutting HIM off. So to
diffuse the situation I said, "Well if that is true then I apologize." He
reached out his hand to say thanks for the apology, smiled and said "OK,
then." When I asked him why he cut me off he said to show me what if feels
like to be cut off. "That was a mistake" I said, apologized again and
reached out for another handshake. He actually became quite nice about it. I
said "Thanks for being so nice about it," and he replied "Same to you."
Funny thing was that he was in a hurry but had the time to follow me and
spend about 10 minutes "teaching me a lesson."

Even though I had a lot of time to merge and felt I was in the right with no
need to apologize I see this as a an opportunity (for me) to learn. That is,
give a speeding driver LOTS of space and merge behind him rather than in
front. Also the driver could have been a problem or had a gun. I think I was
wise to pull up to a crowded service station rather than have him follow me
to my home (he would have) or pull over on the freeway.

He was a big man over 6 feet tall and I had to look up to him to talk, and
he was aggressive in body language and tone of voice at first, but after the
apology mild as a lamb.

My wife tried to pacify him at the beginning of the confrontation but he
ignored her totally and stared daggers at me until things toned down.

>   Just as a rusty old Pinto attracts police like a donut shop, the Vanagon
> seems to enlist other drivers to speed up and tailgate, give the the quick
pass
> then get in front of you, invoke the horn or even the 'finger'.  I  have
even
> found a bunch of repeat offenders or 'regulars' as I call them. (I hope
it's
> not my driving) I take it all in stride and get a good laugh on the way to
work
> every morning.  They should know it's a Vanagon, not a NASCAR.
>   In my opinion I don't think the older air-cooled vans get disrespected
by
> the general gum-chewing public as much as the Vanagon.
>   I get no respect.
>