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 couldn't not say thank you. I'm very polite. Someone has stopped for me and I'll acknowledge it. Why not? It's no bother, no trouble. It shows another person you appreciate them stopping. I also thank bus drivers, despite it being their job to drive a bus. I thank my hairdresser, the person on the till at the supermarket. All these people are just doing their job and have to serve me but I simply couldn't walk away without saying thank you.

Yes I do, and to bus drivers for driving me and people for serving the food I buy and for all sorts of things. It’s nothing to do with car culture imo

No, no-one should. Drivers are just obeying the law. I just walk out in the road anywhere now, pedestrians have priority. Drivers need to learn that.

I don’t stand and wait at zebra crossings I cross as I have the priority, I’m not going to thank someone for doing what they are required to do.
Do drivers thank me for waiting to cross a road where there isn’t a crossing? Of course not and it would be silly to expect them to.
I absolutely thank someone if they go out of their way to do something to benefit me that they don’t need to though.

I always give a little wave of thanks, and if I’m the driver I find it a bit rude if someone doesn’t. But shouting at someone who didn’t is unacceptable

Yes a nod and a smile at least

Yep i do .

Wow. This is exactly why it should be ingrained in every pedestrian to make eye contact/communicate with drivers. Do pedestrians have priority? Undoubtedly, but if push comes to shove I'd rather stay alive.

Exactly, when you are on the mortuary slab it will be little comfort to your loved ones that you were in the right

I don't care that "its in the Highway code" you're the only person responsible for your safety crossing roads, so make sure it's safe!

No. This sort of comment is why this conversation is important. It isn't just the highway code, it's the law. Drivers of motorised vehicles are required to have greater care. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have a right to be on a public road. Drivers of motorised vehicles are there under licence. The idea that someone driving 2 tonnes of metal around at speed doesn't need to bear responsibility for the safety of others is not only morally wrong, it is legally wrong.

I do sometimes but not always. Depends if I'm holding my kids hands, or carrying bags plus holding up an umbrella. Even just battling against the wind and rain etc or just not even thinking about it.

I'd say when Im driving and people cross I'd say prob less than 50% put their hand up to say thanks or whatever. So I don't worry about it if I don't sometimes.

I always wave a thank you to cars that stop at a zebra crossing for me, because many don’t! I have been known to shout at the cars that race across in front of me when I’m halfway across! Usually a school mum heading to the same school as me. Drivers are so selfish round here.
Theres a horrible corner next to my house where drivers on one side often stop to let me cross, and get annoyed when I don’t because there is a car they can’t see but I can indicating around the corner. I will not be run over for the sake of manners thanks!

If you apply the logic that pedestrians should be thanking motorists for obeying the law, then we should all be waving at cars driving along the road, so long as they're doing it correctly.

I do, I think only because otherwise it’s awkward to be walking across the road while the driver just watches you!

No they don't. They have priority crossing side roads that a driver wants to turn into or out of. They don't just get to wander across a road without looking.

Well if you say thank you it's short for 'thanks for not running me over'

It's very harmless but I'm conscious to explain this to my dc so they know the difference between a right and a courtesy.

I've always thought this when out riding
Mostly when I've thanked 30 cars in a row
Cyclists don't thank drivers for passing them wide/slow
But on a horse we are thanking drivers again for following the Highway Code

No point being in the right if you’re dead. I ALWAYS make sure drivers have seen me and are slowing when at a zebra crossing. All it takes is for some idiot to be messing with their phone.

No I do not usually thank them if they have stopped at a zebra crossing

I would thank retail staff or hospitality because they are offering me a service

I always give a little awkward wave and mouth 'thank you'. It might be 'legal' to stop, but not everyone actually does, so I like to thank the people who take the time.

The driver shouldn't 'just be watching you'. They should also be checking the pavements to see if there are other pedestrians approaching.

Exactly what @Shade17 said. I'd rather lose my right of way than my life.

A neighbour of ours is a vigilante cyclist, always out to prove his right of way, very aggressive and confrontational, posts all his helmet cam videos online. DH has been cycling behind him a few times through town and is certain he'll get himself killed before long. I hope his ghost feels vindicated, and 'I told you I was right' is etched on his gravestone.

My 2 year and has said thank you at a zebra crossing for like 6 months now fgs no excuse to not say thank you for s car stopping even if it for legal reasons. It's just polite

I don’t know why but I love it when I get a thank you from a horse rider (which I always do). It makes me go extra wide and slow just to show my consideration 😂. Maybe it because I used to ride as a child and I like to feel like I’m still part of it!

i always say thank you - drivers might be obliged to stop but many don’t and I like to use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour!

I’ve also been thanked many times by drivers in situations where I’ve clearly waited for them.

I like people thanking each other, it’s a bit of social oil that helps the wheels of civilisation keep turning a little more smoothly.