Quote:
Originally Posted by puckluck2
Honking is so weird in North America. It symbolizes anger. In Lebanon it is actually used for what it is intended for. I drove there last summer and you could beep at someone and they would drive past you normally and not finger you or even think anything of it.
|
It's definitely a NA thing. When I was in the Philippines last fall, the amount of honking there is crazy. But more then anything, it signifies someone wanted to pass you. Coming up on a guy on his left and gonna pass him? Give a short friendly honk so he doesn't side swipe you. Passing someone on the highway? Honk to let him know you're coming up his side.
Then you come back here and as soon as someone hears a honk, it's like road rage takes over. The only way to communicate with someone while on the road is by honking. You can't talk to them, get their attetion any other way. You have to honk. Coincidentally, honking sounds loud and evil.
Even now when I pass someone on a single lane highway, occasionally I'll give a little honk to let them know I'm coming up. The amount of people that instantly flip out is hilarious. In NA, honking just seems to activate some kind of nerve in the brain that coincides with feelings of anger/annoyance.