Do you get complimented on your driving?

[Guildedagain]

It's my super power.

Especially with precious cargo on board, like significant other or other family. Navigating killer highways safely, difficult city routes to avoid gridlock, getting to a dental appointment perfectly on time like yesterday.

Just recently, talking to a neighbor's wife who has ADD like me, she mentioned how good driving makes her feel, and how focused, and I agree, there's nothing else like it for me.

I also do all of my own maintenance including timing belt services, clutches, bearing work, driveline U joints, struts, brakes, etc, so I have an intimate relationship with the vehicle I'm driving, it's a partnership, we take care of each other.

I also believe in guardian angels.

 

[guitarslinger]

Most of those who comment on my driving are expressing their thanks to God that they’ve survived the experience.

 

[ReevesRd]

I love to drive. When I was a little boy, me and my dad would drive the backroads until it was time to pick up my Mom from work.
When I was a teenager in high school, driving around was our pastime. I can study a map and remember where I need to go. And once I've been there, I will not forget how to return.
On long trips, my passengers are always grateful that I was the driver. I'll drive the whole time. Love driving!

 

[davidbeinct]

I have a great multi-part story about my parallel parking. It happened about eight years ago when my younger stepdaughter was thirteen.
I was parallel parking my GMC Canyon in a tight spot in New London, which passes for the urban center of southeastern Connecticut. A rather down on his luck gentleman complimented me on my parking skills as I exited my truck. I must admit it caused my head to swell a little bit.
A couple days later I had to drop off the previously mentioned thirteen year old at her father’s apartment in New London. We got to the front door and there was a Volkswagen lining up to take the last spot in front of the building. I waited behind them but instead of parking they decided it was too tight and left.
I lined up our Honda Odyssey, much bigger than the VW, and took the spot easily. My stepdaughter turned to look at me and gave me the raised eyebrows and slight head nod.
Of course that wasn’t good enough for me and my recently swollen ego. I said hey what’d you think about that? Pretty good huh? I got our minivan in after that tiny Volkswagen gave up!
My stepdaughter paused a beat and then said, “David, I already gave you my I’m impressed face.”
Oh man thirteen year olds can cut you to the quick!

 

[HeyMikey]

If by getting complimented you mean being given the finger, then “yes” I do get complimented quite often.

 

[walrus]

+1 on driving enjoyment, except for traffic jams on the Mass Pike.

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

Most of those who comment on my driving are expressing their thanks to God that they’ve survived the experience.

I'm often reminded of a bumper sticker from way back that read "I want to die peacefully in my sleep like Grandpa, not screaming like the passengers in his car" or something like that ;[]

I can study a map and remember where I need to go. And once I've been there, I will not forget how to return.

We used to reckon by the sun, stars and moon and we were better for it. GPS atrophies your brain.

"It's generally true that when we don't use a particular skill, the neural connections that underlie it atrophy. And scientists have found decreased hippocampal activity when we're led to a destination compared to when we're charting our own course."

I now feel vindicated for all the times I never asked for directions that you can't remember anyway, as if they were any good to start with.

I do like the compass on an iPhone when you need it. One night, me and wife were driving back from some unfamiliar place, definitely getting lost. Of course there's some argument, I'm going the right way I say, I'm going the wrong way she says.

We turned the compass on and got turned around. She was right, we were going the wrong way, south instead of north, and once on the right track we pretty quickly found Hwy 2, our route home.

If by getting complimented you mean being given the finger, then “yes” I do get complimented quite often.

I ignore road rage but I see a lot of it.

A parts store owner I befriended years ago had started his European Auto Parts store across the state line in ID, and then opened a store here in WA, and every time I went in, he'd tell me of his latest road rage incident on I90 as he commuted morning and evening, an hour drive each way, this is before people were shooting over it.

So a guy passes him in the fast lane, it always starts like this, and then clamps on the brakes in front of him and this goes on for a while with appropriate finger gesture going back and forth. Pretty soon they both pull over in the median to "settle it", and Pat, a BIG barrel chested dude, shoved the guy, lol. Pretty soon a Stater pulls in, and the other driver whines to the Stater how Pat physically assaulted him and "hurt him". Pat says to the State bull, "If I'd really wanted to hurt him, he wouldn't even be talking right now" and the Stater agreed and let them both off with a warning ;[]

 

[Wilmywood]

Most of those who comment on my driving are expressing their thanks to God that they’ve survived the experience.

I resemble that remark

 

[gjmalcyon]

If your wife in the front passenger seat keeps stomping on the imaginary brake pedal in front of her, does that mean you're a good driver?

If so, then I am.

 

[Guildedagain]

You gotta love front/back seat drivers, this being the most common "The light's green" ;[]

 

[Wilmywood]

You gotta love front/back seat drivers, this being the most common "The light's green" ;[]

I say that a lot, but usually with my horn from the 2nd car in line. It means 'put the goddam phone down and drive your car'

 

[Opsimath]

Never gotten a driving compliment. My mom used to hang onto the door handle like she was about to bail. Now I do that when she drives.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

No.

 

[davismanLV]

I'm actually a very safe and competent driver and most people know that. I can get a bit aggressive at times, but still safe. One thing that's problematic is that bad drivers make me crazy and people doing stupid stuff gets my blood going, so to prevent overload I naturally just react with fist shakes, cursing, horn honking, and name calling all the while I'm driving. I don't hold it in and when I get where I'm going, I'm completely calm and settled because I didn't hold it all in.

My passengers, on the other hand, sometimes seem a bit traumatized if they're not used to my style. Go figure.

 

[walrus]

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

 

[Rocky]

If by getting complimented you mean being given the finger, then “yes” I do get complimented quite often.

"Oh, look! That guy thinks I'm #1!"

 

[beecee]

I rack up close to 30,000 miles a year now, up slightly.

NYS Thruway is a snoozer but my wife chuckles when we get close to the Tappan Zee. Apparently something in my posture changes. I love driving around NY City and actually have gotten used to the LIE. I even took the Cross Bronx to the GW on a return trip to Syracuse just for something different.

Say what you want about NYC but they know how to move traffic....tho I hear Brooklyn sux per Sandy

 

[jwsamuel]

I was complimented on my driving one time. 30 seconds later, I hit the car in front of me.

 

[Westerly Wood]

In my own mind, all the time...I am an excellent driver...