was driving mini down a major highway here in new jersey when some guy in a big SUV showed me the middle finger....for NO reason, I didnt cut him off or anything.
Actually when I drive mini I feel like see lots of people giving me dirty looks...whats up with that?

hmmm is this jealousy?

 

I think that one part is "jerk-face idiot" and part perception. Drive a typical car and that happens...you brush it off. If it happens in your MINI, it becomes a hate-crime.

 

So sorry to hear about your experience.

 

Stupidity?

 

Don't worry about it. Because hey, it would mean you'd have to stoop to their level to try and figure them out. Like the saying goes when someone calls ya stupid, "takes one to know one." It amy take a whole lot of lessons on how to be a jerkoff to figure them out. I'd personally give them a taste of their own medicine. Or follow them and see what's up their A$$.
Cheers,

 

When/if that ever happens to me, I will just give a big smile and a thumbs up or peace sign.. . . .

 

>>was driving mini down a major highway here in new jersey when some guy in a big SUV showed me the middle finger....for NO reason, I didnt cut him off or anything.
>>Actually when I drive mini I feel like see lots of people giving me dirty looks...whats up with that?
>>
>>hmmm is this jealousy?


Perhaps it is simply the way New Jersites wave to their friends. With all the toxic waste in that state, hand spasms are not beyond the realm of possibility!!!!

 

Yucca Patrol wrote:

>>When/if that ever happens to me, I will just give a big smile and a thumbs up or peace sign.. . . .<<

Me too, Yucca!

Good call!

 

Think SUV drivers are jealous now? Wait till we launch an attack on Iraq and gas prices go up a $1.00 or more per gallon

X2

 

I own a Mini S AND a Chevy Suburban and I get along just fine with myself. Maybe the guy wasn't giving you the finger. Maybe he was trying to tell you that he had "1" too.

 

Maybe he was having a really bad day.....

When people flip me off I blow kisses at them. One time I did that to this guy and he started laughing and waved. It was pretty funny.

 

>>I own a Mini S AND a Chevy Suburban and I get along just fine with myself. Maybe the guy wasn't giving you the finger. Maybe he was trying to tell you that he had "1" too.



Yeah, we've got a Honda CRV in the family. Even though it's a small SUV, we've nicknamed it "MAXI", big brother of my MINI.

I agree with Yucca and MINIclo, flash em a peace sign and a big grin!!

 

>>When people flip me off I blow kisses at them.

I don't think that would work for most of us here

X2

 

>>Maybe he was having a really bad day.....
>>
>>When people flip me off I blow kisses at them. One time I did that to this guy and he started laughing and waved. It was pretty funny.




One time I tried this and the guy asked me if I'd
read any good books lately.

(Notice the multiple cross post reference...not that there is anything wrong with that.)

 

Are you sure he was giving you the finger? Maybe he was telling you how many miles per gallon he gets.

:smile:

 

I can't remember the last time I was flipped off. I think I was in high school.

Instead, it seems people now days express their anger by getting on your @$$ so close you can feel their bumper on your neck. Typically, they are driving a (fill space with most garish, ridiculously large SUV you can think of). They then turn on their high beams making your corneas feel like huge nails are being jabbed into them.

I YEARN for the days of the middle finger.

-Otto

P.S. I should come clean and admit I, too, drive an SUV (albeit one of the smaller ones, a Jeep) while I await delivery of my Mini. I purchased it out of misconcieved notion that it was a necessity after moving back to the Midwest. My rear wheel car was not cutting the mustard during my long, daily commutes during the brutal Chicago winters. After two years of use, and an incredible reduction in fuel efficiency, I realized I overdid it getting an SUV.

Three of the perks of being a Mini owner I am looking forward to are having a heavier wallet, spending a lot less time at the pumps, and helping to reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil. For an in-depth look at the fuel efficiency saga going on in the United States, I highly recommend a multi-part exposé being done by the Chicago Tribune over the next several days (The story is available via the Chicago Tribune website, but you will have to register for a free account. I don't believe it is too arduous a process to sign up.).

I think a lot of people don't really need an SUV. Case in point: my mother. She bought one seeking safety in response to several bad car accidents my family experienced (none of which were our fault) over a short period of time. Ironically, studies indicate that the increase in SUVs on the road have led to more fatal car accidents. Also startling is a statistic I learned while attending the Chicago Auto Show this year: nearly 60% of the vehicle being shown there were some sort of truck/van/SUV.

I don't believe SUVs and big trucks should be outlawed. However, I think people should practice discretion when deciding whether they truly need that Expedition or Humvee (or even a Jeep) for their daily needs.

 

BTW, I think I may have begun to sell my mom on the Mini. So rest assured, my preaching starts at home.

 

Just maybe the SUV person was a middle finger pointer. There are SUV drivers who
point with middle finger. Maybe he was pointing to let you know how surprised he was to see such a beautiful little car. I belong to a "VERN" club in my home town, 4 members, all called VERN. To give one the middle finger is a sign to him that he is
really on today in terms of hitting that little white ball. Getting the finger is really cool. I don't think this person was a VERN, as there are only 4 in USA, but just maybe he understands the language.
VERN 2

 

>>was driving mini down a major highway here in new jersey when some guy in a big SUV showed me the middle finger....for NO reason, I didnt cut him off or

He was just practicing

 

>>I don't believe SUVs and big trucks should be outlawed.

SUV's should be treated like an HOV lane. Must have at least 4 people passengers or you get ticketed.

 

Those guys would really like my license plate. It says "SUV 2BIG". I can't for my mini to get here so I can put this plate on the car. I wouldn't be surprised with a plate like this that I would get the pointy burd once in a while.

My wife will be dirving the car more than me. I will tell her to try L. Mini's blow a kiss idea.

Motor On

 

>>I can't remember the last time I was flipped off. I think I was in high school.

>>I YEARN for the days of the middle finger.

You obviously don't drive in Boston. I've walked/bicycled to work for the past three years, and I have to say that I utilize the time-honored finger at least once per 2-mile commute. People turn without signals, and they won't stop for a crosswalk (which they're required to in Mass.) unless you play chicken with them. Not only do I use the finger, but (on the bike) I use my fist to pound on cars that have nearly killed me, once I catch up to them at lights.

I flip off drivers who don't stop for OTHER people in crosswalks. There's no excuse. Especially nice in the winter is the availability of snow for snowballs, for those times when the finger just doesn't say what you want to say.

I actually had a driver in Boston flip me off for crossing in front of her car AT A RED LIGHT, preventing her from running the light.

 

>>was driving mini down a major highway here in new jersey when some guy in a big SUV showed me the middle finger....for NO reason, I didnt cut him off or anything.
>>Actually when I drive mini I feel like see lots of people giving me dirty looks...whats up with that?
>>
>>hmmm is this jealousy?



Hmmm...I'm in Jersey and I don't get dirty looks!

HARMINI - We are a MINI and CR-V family too! It's my wife's CR-V. I say it's hers b/c we don't really drive each other's cars. Or at least she never drives mine (mine are always stick). I'll drive hers if we take her car together.

And what's up with the toxic waste Jersey comments whoever said that???

 

>>You obviously don't drive in Boston. I've walked/bicycled to work for the past three years, and I have to say that I utilize the time-honored finger at least once per 2-mile commute. People turn without signals, and they won't stop for a crosswalk (which they're required to in Mass.) unless you play chicken with them. Not only do I use the finger, but (on the bike) I use my fist to pound on cars that have nearly killed me, once I catch up to them at lights.
>>
>>I flip off drivers who don't stop for OTHER people in crosswalks. There's no excuse. Especially nice in the winter is the availability of snow for snowballs, for those times when the finger just doesn't say what you want to say.
>>
>>I actually had a driver in Boston flip me off for crossing in front of her car AT A RED LIGHT, preventing her from running the light.

ChrisNeal,

You convinced me to move to Boston until the story about the woman blowing through the red light and getting PO'ed you drove in front of her. That is one I have yet to see in Chicago. Oh well.

Be careful out there!!!

 

>>You convinced me to move to Boston until the story about the woman
>>blowing through the red light and getting PO'ed you drove in front of her.

Actually, I was walking! I'm not above forcing people to slam on their brakes, as long as I'm not too far in front of them to jump out of the way if they decide not to.

>>Be careful out there!!!

I know, I know... I think of my commute as a kind of sport. It's the only way not to arrive at work PO'ed every day.

Highest points awarded for:
1) Snowballs that hit their targets.
2) Making people spill their coffee on themselves.
3) Friendly, supportive toots from drivers who see me flip off *********s.