Its a zebra crossing for goodness sake!!!!!!

I don't expect to be thanked if i stop at a crossing. When I approach one, I slow a little and check for people about to cross.
I would also not wave anyone across either - a car coming the other way might not see them....

I think leaning out the car and asking people crossing to thank you is just appalling grumpy git behaviour.

This has happened several times to me (often cabbies grrr) although sometimes I do lift a hand to sort of wave thanks if I can be arsed.

I was witness to a 4 car bashing in Richmond yesterday (no-one injured) where some bloke was weaving in and out of the traffic and eventually (not surprising at all, I was behind him in the traffic and giving him a wide berth) he crashed into someone (who then hit the guy in front etc. etc.). I got out to give my statement and the bloke who caused the accident gave everyone his details and then buggered off. He didn't even apologise - he really didn't give a shit at all!

I think it's only polite to thank drivers for stopping while you cross the road. Also at a zebra crossing the drivers don't have to stop
"19: Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen you and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped."
From the Highway Code www.highwaycode.gov.uk/01.htm
But like you I would be annoyed and consider it impolite of the drivers if they started shouting at me or beeping

He sounds like a prize bananahead, MP. I hate car drivers who think they're doing you a favour by following the highway code. It's not supposed to be an optional act of good will to stop at a zebra crossing.

He's the one who has grown up ignorant. What do all these car drivers think they're in such a rush for?

God. this makes me furious too .

YANBU at all, there is a crossing just by where we live, and seriously about 9 times out of 10, drivers will simply not stop when you are stood waiting, or even starting to cross.

I usually try to raise a hand in thanks, but when you have a Ds being silly you can't always do that.

I used to feel guilty about not always thanking the drivers who stop, (still do actually) but when you think how often WE pedestrians wait at the side of a road for hours, waiting for a break in the traffic...nobody thanks us for that, do they?