Cor - !

[simongt]

On the way to work at about 07.15h yesterday, a van pulled out in front of me; not dangerously close, but enough for me to use the brakes. I caught up with him at the lights a bit further down the road. Without any grimacing, eyeballing etc., he rolled his window down - and apologised - !!! He said he hadn't seen me; I looked at my bright yellow top and showed him my very bright strobing triple led front lamp and he again said he hadn't seen me. Maybe I felt sorry for him, as I said to him 'Apology accepted' - and away we went in our respective directions.

Just goes to show eh - ?

 

[Smokin Joe]

On the way to work at about 07.15h yesterday, a van pulled out in front of me; not dangerously close, but enough for me to use the brakes. I caught up with him at the lights a bit further down the road. Without any grimacing, eyeballing etc., he rolled his window down - and apologised - !!! He said he hadn't seen me; I looked at my bright yellow top and showed him my very bright strobing triple led front lamp and he again said he hadn't seen me. Maybe I felt sorry for him, as I said to him 'Apology accepted' - and away we went in our respective directions.

Just goes to show eh - ?

You did the right thing. Everybody makes mistakes and accepting an apology will make the villain of the piece feel better about himself, respect you and probably resolve to take more care in future.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Saccadic masking?

It's happened to me a couple of times and you can usually tell by the shocked look on their face when (if) they finally see you. An apology always calms things down.

 

[ColinJ]

Saccadic masking?

It's happened to me a couple of times and you can usually tell by the shocked look on their face when (if) they finally see you. An apology always calms things down.

Interesting!

I actually did the opposite once when walking across a side street in Hebden Bridge. I did a quick scan to see if anything was turning off the main road and completely missed spotting a car that WAS! Fortunately, the driver spotted ME and stopped in time. I apologised and made a gesture towards my own head indicating that I was somewhat short of the required number of braincells ...

 

[Ajax Bay]

I apologised and made a gesture towards my own head indicating that I was somewhat short of the required number of braincells ...

Trouble with that is that a fair proportion of fellow mankind will (quite reasonably through a propensity to the perjorative or antagonist) interpret that not as an apology, but an insult or an attempt to insult, casting nasturtiums on their braincells or eyes, or effective use thereof.

 

[ColinJ]

Trouble with that is that a fair proportion of fellow mankind will (quite reasonably through a propensity to the perjorative or antagonist) interpret that not as an apology, but an insult or an attempt to insult, casting nasturtiums on their braincells or eyes, or effective use thereof.

I thought that myself after making the gesture, but he obviously understood because he laughed and waved me across!

Same thing when a motorist is considerate to me e.g. (s)he gives way to me on a narrow congested street ... I say "Thank you" but if they can't hear me above the traffic noise, they may lip-read and think I said "F**k you"!

 

[simongt]

Must be me or that stretch of road. Similar thing happened today; 09.30h. broad daylight, going down the road and a car coming towards me was turning to its right across my path of travel. He stopped, I slowed, he waved me past, I gestured my appreciation, he acknowledged, everyone happy.

 

[John the Monkey]

I say "Thank you" but if they can't hear me above the traffic noise, they may lip-read and think I said "F**k you"!

When I first began commuting, that happened to me - the driver followed me, forced me to a stop and got out to square up to me, "Did you swear at me? Did you swear at me?" (etc). A wave is better, less likely to be misinterpreted.

 

[simongt]

A wave is better, less likely to be misinterpreted.

Definitely agree on this one; a cheery wave is very difficult to misinterprete. Just make sure all your digits are close together - !