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.

I always do and I also give people a wave for pulling in when the obstruction is on their side so it’s my right of way - I just think a smile and a wave always make the world a nicer place.

No, I generally don’t, though may do sometimes. I don’t know why this seems to have become a thing. It never used to be. It’s just another way of diminishing the pedestrian. The driver isn’t doing you a favour or being nice to you. They haven’t done anything to be thanked for.

I wouldnt expect someone to say thanks however I always do myself (and stick my fingers up at those that don’t stop) 🤣

Erm…nice use of neurodiverse as an insult there.

The driver isn’t doing you a favour or being nice to you. They haven’t done anything to be thanked for.

If you’re waiting to cross at a zebra and someone stops for you then they certainly have. They’re under no obligation to do so.

Possibly. But as others have said the idea of pedestrians thanking perpetuates the idea that the driver has done them a favour and that they don't in fact have right of way. I'm sure it is the kowtowing to drivers that has led to more pedestrians dithering at the side of the road making it harder for drivers to know if they are crossing or not. I get irked by being a part of that so I avoid being thanked!

I always wave thanks. I also wave thanks when a car stops behind an obstruction on their side and let's me pass. They don't have right of way to go round the obstruction and make me stop but I still say thanks.

I say thanks for the bus driver letting me off the bus even though he has to. I say thanks to the shop assistant for giving me my change even though they have to.

Better to say thanks too much than not enough.

Weirdly I only started waving when I started driving. It wasn't a natural gesture for me before then!

I do but I don't think it's big deal if people don't when I'm driving. I also do a wave when people stop at give way traffic calming things. (I live in a city close to the centre so they are more common in my life!)

Opposite my work there's a tesco and a crossing. I often go without a bag and come out with arms full of stuff. I do feel bad that I can't really wave a thanks and normally do an awkward nod!

I agree with you OP. I don't see why I have to say thank you to a driver that didn't break the law.

If however there is no zebra crossing, and a car stops for me to cross, then yes, I say thank you.

Not on a zebra crossing, no. If a driver stops to let me cross any where else I give a little sort of hand up thanks.

If they stop nicely and. I have free hands, then yes.

If they speed up towards the crossing because they see that there are people about to cross then are forced to do a last minute brake-slam , then no. I don’t acknowledge.

The latter seems to be a pretty common occurrence at the crossing near our school.

If my hands are full of dogs and children then also no.

I suspect a lot of drivers haven’t clicked on to the recent Highway Code update about yielding to those waiting up cross either.

Eh? No, I put a foot on the crossing. They have to stop.

I do! Yes, they're supposed to stop, but doesn't hurt to acknowledge them for doing it.

Yes I put my hand up. That is the norm where I am. You're holding them up by crossing, so you give them a thank you. It doesn't put me out too much.

I specifically said if you’re waiting to cross.

I always do. And I mouth 'thank you' rather than say it out loud and do a thank you gesture with my hands - plus a big smile!

I always say thanks. Yes the driver has to stop but don't always so I always thank people for being more considerate. That's how I like it.

No I don’t say thank you. You don’t thank them when they stop at any other crossing and it would be very weird to do so. So why thank them at a zebra crossing? Drivers who stop are just obeying the law and not being an arsehole driver. I’m not going to thank them for that.

So, why did you highlight my comment? I didn’t mention anything about waiting to cross.

Yes. Drivers don't have to stop until you have stepped out so it is good manners to thank them if they stop while you are waiting at the side, and as we know just because they are obliged to, many don't as there are no consequences unlike say, running a red light. I am a driver and always appreciate it when a pedestrian thanks me.

I agree with you, its weird, as if they were doing a pedestrian a favour. I think they are just taking up a lot more space than pedestrians/people who use public transport so why should I be grateful that they let me sneak inbetween the traffic. I am talking about big cities, in towns and villages it may work a bit different.
I still do it though. I nod or wave my hand. Dont actually say anything, if thats what you ment.

Nope, never. I’m with you OP. Why should I thank someone for obeying basic rules?

As a pedestrian I don’t thank every car for obeying the law by not driving on to the pavement and crashing into me. So why would I thank a car that obeys the law by stopping at a zebra crossing? When there’s no zebra crossing and a car stops to let me cross I do the thank you wave though.

From the Green way Code:

Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing

I always put my hand up to wave a driver & mouth Thank You to them just as an acknowledgement of their kindness whether it's a right of way or not I am grateful for being let across the road! I've just always seen it as manners really for someone doing a good deed to be polite back to them.