Wisdom.
If more people handled situations like this, the roads would be safer.
I had a similar experience, only this time we meet at a red light.  The guy
looked over at me like he wanted to kill me.  I simply waved and smiled.
Like a light switch being flicked, he instantly calmed down, waved back, end
of situation.

----- Original Message -----
From: "developtrust" <developtrust@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 3:40 PM
Subject: Re: I get no respect

> 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.
> >
>