Do you say thank you at zebra crossings?

[bottomsup12]

Is it unreasonable not to thank a driver who stopped? Even though they legally and should stop?

I know people will probably say "yes basic manners" etc. as a driver, I never expect a thank you, and I certainly would never ever get annoyed if someone didn't say thank you (its an ott reaction imo).

Long rationale ahead, to preempt expected backlash on this...

Putting forward the argument that:
A) they legally have to stop. Do you thank everyone for doing things they have to legally do anyway?
B) saying thank you to someone suggests they are doing you a favour, but are they doing you a favour?
C) do drivers thank pedestrians for waiting patiently at the zebra crossing?
D) pedestrians have right of way when crossing a side road on their straight path, so drivers ever thank pedestrians who wait?
E) the deference that a lot of motorheads think pedestrians (and cyclists for that matter) ought to show them is an irritating suggestion that they are somehow more important than other road users just because they have the more powerful mode of transport - when in fact the Highway Code suggests equal if not priority to other road users.

Yes I always do and I’d say about 80% of people I let cross do also

I do myself but I agree with what you are saying too! I think it’s so ingrained in me as a child I’d feel really off not doing it even now as an adult!

You've overthunk this.
It's muscle memory.

Yep- always say thanks. I mean I also say thanks to other people who basically have to do stuff for me or get fired like bus drivers and doctors/ dentists so I guess that’s my logic.

I do because I’m so socially awkward I say sorry and thank you for everything 🤣🤣🤣

Well I'm only saying it because I've been "pulled up" my people before for not doing it - shouted at by a passing driver for not saying thank you and thought.... what right do you have to a thank you in the first place?
Let alone shouting at me in public for it - entitled pr*ck!

I thank people and I don't know why

Guess it might cheer them up if they're having a crap day?

I thank bus drivers too.

No, I don't say thank-you for everyone obeying the law. I'd be tired out within 5 minutes of leaving my house.

I do, except when I’m pushing a buggy with one hand and holding on to DD4 with the other. Then I feel guilty about not!

I nod and smile when a car stops for me at a zebra crossing. I see it as basic manners, like you would say thank you to someone who moves out of your way on a narrow pavement or something.
I do shout or use this face☹️ if a car doesn't stop when I'm clearly waiting to cross.

And this is another point, it's people pleasing behaviour. Can't we just go about our business without fear of retribution from insanely entitled people?

Yes, always but we are a horse riding family so kids are bought up to smile, nod and say thank you to all drivers.

Yes I always do, and as I driver most people do wave thanks to me for stopping, the ones who don’t I mutter ‘you’re welcome’ under my breath 😆

The next time a driver thanks me for waiting at the side of a crossing when the little man is red, I promise I will thank the next driver to stop for me at a pedestrian crossing 😃

@Frogger17 what's horse riding got to do with it out of interest?

Yes but I don’t register what those crossing do.

@BaroqueInterlude bingo

A little nod of the head would work in this instance or I’ve had the actual children wave thanks instead of the poor mum.

Yes always and I thank drivers who wait while I pass a stationary car. It's basic good manners

I usually give a little wave and nod. I'm disabled and a bit slow to cross, so I'm really thanking them for their additional patience.

Sometimes I smile, sometimes I mouth "thank you" and sometimes I move my hand without it actually being a wave, depends on my mood. If someone doesn't stop my hand showing one extended finger moves very very quickly though.

It’s not actually law to stop at the zebra crossing unless someone has stepped onto it.

I do. Costs nothing, makes the day of the driver a tiny bit more pleasant. Spread the joy!

An idiot driver once waved me to cross and swore at me when I pointed to the red man!

With zebra crossings, I generally smile and nod or wave when someone stops, because it’s a contrast with the people who don’t stop and I appreciate it, and want to encourage it, legalities or no.

When you ride on the road, you thank every driver, can be a bit of a drag on busy roads but it’s good manners.