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, it's just reflex. Hand motion and mouth thank you.

Men seem to the only people that stop and let me and kids cross. Wonder why? Chivalrous behaviour?

Me to.😆

I tend to try and make eye contact, and acknowledge the driver's having waited by raising a hand or mouthing 'thank you'. It costs me nothing, hopefully encourages them to do it again. It's not just a matter or politeness but also potentially enhances safety.

For example, when traffic is slow moving there may be a risk that the driver hasn't noticed me but just happens to have stopped coincidentally in the traffic jam. I use a crossing that's near a junction. Have they stopped to wait for a gap in traffic on the main road or because they have seen me? Any sort of eye contact/engagement/interaction will help to confirm this, and if it can be a pleasant interaction for both parties then that's all to the good.

I'm not budging on this. I'm also a horse rider, but still feel its MY responsibility.

Make sure its safe before you cross, its not rocket science and takes seconds. I'm never going to trust another road user to have my safety in the forefront of their mind, even if it would be "their fault" if they hit me.

Make sure its safe before you cross, it's not rocket science and takes seconds. I'm never going to trust another road user to have my safety in the forefront of their mind, even if it would be "their fault" if they hit me.

Well of course. I'm pretty sure that's in the Highway Code too, in case there's any complete idiots not already self-selected out of existence. But it's inaccurate to say 'you're the only person responsible for your safety crossing roads' - it's a shared responsibility between all road users, with those capable of causing the most damage carrying the greater legal requirement.

Unless the crossing is enormous and the driver's vision exceptionally narrow, you get a pretty good view of the pavement and the crossing at the same time. Plus, they don't have to stop for pedestrians who are just approaching (I usually do as a driver based on how close they are).

Oh God, it’s not that twat Jeremy Vine is it @CheeseWisely?

I was actually thinking about this the other day - men are much more likely to stop for me too! Not just at a zebra crossing, but in other instances when they have right of way. I thought maybe it’s because I’m a young woman but I wonder if men are also more likely to stop for other men?

Always do, smile and little hand raise.

This. Not sure about the crossings in your area @ErrolTheDragon but you certainly don’t need to even turn your head to see the pavement or other ‘approaching pedestrians’ around here (London) 😂

They have to stop, its the law, you don't have to thank them, but if you are very smiley pants you may do so. They are not allowed to run you down so you do not have to appease them, especially not the cunts in the kid killing SUVs.

Sure the driver may not need to turn their head, the point was merely that their awareness isn't going to be soley focussed on the person crossing at the time, the idea of which seemed to make a PP self conscious somehow.

I always say thank you. Legal requirement or not, the driver has paid due attention and has stopped to allow you to traverse the road that is made for cars. It's more bother for the driver stop than it is for you to say a brief thank you.

No. Drivers are required to stop and don't need a thank you. I'm not keen on the idea that pedestrians should constantly have to express gratitude for daring to use the damn road. If you imagine a situation where a wife feels she has to say "thank you" every time her husband deigns to do a bit of housework, I think this indicates the sort of dodgy power dynamics that are at work when one party is constantly thanking the other.

I do sometimes hold a hand UP firmly where the driver can see it, not indicating thanks but more in a "Keep back!! We are crossing!!" kind of way, whenever a driver is in a car with a high hood like a 4X4. These cars have massive blind spots in front of them and I am trying to stop them from advancing forward as my young child goes across on her scooter.

I have been known to do the mini-head-bow thank-you [I live in Japan] to someone who stops to let me across when they are not legally obliged to, however.

I find it's usually men who break the law.

Just yesterday, a driver whizzed through a pedestrian crossing when the crossing light was green [these crossings have red/green lights in Japan], so I ran after him, caught him as he entered the queue for the underground car park, banged on the window and started yelling at him loud enough for the traffic director to overhear and come over to speak to him.

As usual, it was a middle aged grumpy man-twat in a luxury Lexus with a much younger girlfriend/wife at his side.

Walked away in triumph, listening to the traffic director telling him off. Hope he felt embarassed in front of his girlfriend/wife!

I thank the cash point for giving me miney
i thanks the driving waiting at temporary red traffic lights

i thank drivers stopping at a zebra crossing

but total agree we shouldn’t
it’s my money at the cash poubt
the driver at the temporary traffic lights has to stop on red as the drive through

i never ever thank drivers at a pedestrian crossing 🤷‍♀️

No I don't. And wouldn't expect to be thanked.

They shouldn't have shouted at you.
Obviously, they were the rude one in this scenario!

It's not necessary to thank someone at a zebra crossing. Some people do and some don't - it doesn't really matter.

I only step out if safe to do so but I find some drivers edge forwards impatiently or some were far away but still don't see and slam their brakes on. These people get a look, a head shake and / or if bad enough I call them a prick or something.

I always say thank you for anything in the car just to make sure everyone knows I'm grateful and pass on a bit of kindness. I drive a lot and there are so many people who don't look further than their nose, it's terrifying. I feel like when someone does it should be celebrated.

I always say thank you because on my route to my old job drivers rarely stopped for me at the zebra crossing! So the route to my current job, I'm actually very thankful that all the drivers actually stop 🤣

Yes, I always say thanks. It's just good manners and I'm not a miserable fuck.

They actually do not legally have to stop unless you are actually on the crossing (I was surprised at this but my son's just done his theory).
Anyhoo yes I do. A nod if my hands are full or a little wave.
I also thank a car that has pulled over to let my car pass, or let me in a line of traffic.
Life is hard enough and a little courtesy helps.

I was waiting for someone to say this. I think these crossings have become a little like merging in turn for a lane closure. People have made their own rules and they are 100% correct even though they aren't.

I always raise my hand to say thank you nowadays.
Mainly because someone shouted at me really nastily for not doing so once, and I like to avoid telling people to fuck off in public.

No they shouldn’t thank them it’s like thanking someone at a red light! If someone doesn’t have to stop and let’s me cross then I thank them.