In the light of the delay before any further random thoughts I wondered if I had (unintentionally) caused offence.
As we're going there (maybe) ..
I've often wondered about (for example) the US 'African American' classification - obviously intended to mean black. Why no 'European American' to indicate white? You'd then have American American (or just American) for native (actual) Americans.
In fairness our A (Asian) in BAME is a euphemism for brown but BBME would come across as a TV or radio station so A it is.
The UK 'B' for black assumes British - we don't have Black (British) and Black (Tourist).
Difficult subject. As a child of the 60's I thought we'd all be coffee coloured by now.
(May 17, 2021 09:12 PM)confused2 Wrote: [ -> ]In the light of the delay before any further random thoughts I wondered if I had (unintentionally) caused offence.
As we're going there (maybe) ..
I've often wondered about (for example) the US 'African American' classification - obviously intended to mean black. Why no 'European American' to indicate white? You'd then have American American (or just American) for native (actual) Americans.
In fairness our A (Asian) in BAME is a euphemism for brown but BBME would come across as a TV or radio station so A it is.
The UK 'B' for black assumes British - we don't have Black (British) and Black (Tourist).
Difficult subject. As a child of the 60's I thought we'd all be coffee coloured by now.
I think the 'African American' term was the attempted phrasing after the Emancipation Proclamation (ye olde woke) likely an attempt at unification as previously I don't think the unfortunate Africans (slaves) had been seen as anything else but property. That's likely why European American doesn't get used as a 'color' code.
I wouldn't be sure what to call the indiginous people (collectively at least, I know they have their own nations etc) since they were on the continent first and shouldn't be named after an Italian and aren't Indian.
In the county of Norfolk (UK) though, everyones a foreigner if they are from outside of Norfolk. (You hear that Suffolk!)
I caused an accident today. I was trying to be a courteous driver. I was in the right lane and I waved a guy out of the parking lot. I thought he was turning right, but he was making a left, and the car coming up on my left was speeding. She plowed right into the driver’s door. I had no way of knowing that he was trying to make a left-hand turn. No one was injured but I feel horrible.
If he wasn't signaling, it's completely his fault. Even if he was, where he puts his car is still his responsibility. So of the three people involved, you'd be the very least to blame, if at all. You didn't cause anything that better drivers wouldn't have readily avoided.
(Jun 8, 2021 01:35 AM)Secular Sanity Wrote: [ -> ]I caused an accident today. I was trying to be a courteous driver. I was in the right lane and I waved a guy out of the parking lot. I thought he was turning right, but he was making a left, and the car coming up on my left was speeding. She plowed right into the driver’s door. I had no way of knowing that he was trying to make a left-hand turn. No one was injured but I feel horrible.
Know the feeling, and it's arguably not justified in comparison to much more horrible traffic accidents. After a period of slogging through unavoidable matters that might not permit the oasis of forgetfulness, it will still mercifully come.
It varies by state:
Plenty of states have found no liability as a matter of law for a courteous wave or signal because of the non-delegable duty on the part of the signaled driver to be sure the roadway is clear before entering. In a California case in which a motorist waved to a motorcycle that it was clear to turn left in front of him at an intersection, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of the signaling driver sued for “negligent signaling.” Gilmer v. Ellington, 159 Cal. App. 4th 190 (Cal. App. 2008). The Court held that the signaling driver had no legal duty to assure that all oncoming traffic was clear before signaling to the third party to enter the roadway.
https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/natio...244965.htm
Wow! I didn’t know that you could be held at fault in some states. Most people don’t use a signal in a parking lot. Even if they did, you’re not in a position to see it. This is an intersection where it’s almost impossible to make a right-hand turn much less a left. This might be a prime example of idiot compassion. I’ll never do it again.
"Although you may think it is courteous it allows people out of a parking lot, gas station, or side street, into the very busy street on which you are traveling, this is not always the case. You must check your surroundings, the other drivers on the road, and the traffic that will be affected. In other words, don’t stop the flow of traffic, just to be nice. If letting a car in front of you when traffic is stopped causes the blockage of a right turn lane, you are actually causing more problems than you are solving. The driver waiting to turn into your lane was already waiting, all the traffic that was about to move off of the road (by making a right turn) now has to stop, which in turn causes more traffic, and more delays for everyone. Of course, the courteous driver waiting to turn, wouldn’t take the half lane you provided and would continue waiting for a clear opening before pulling out."
http://www.rulesforeveryday.com/courtesy/
Hm. Idiot compassion.
I often keep a space in front of my car precisely so people can turn into the flow without causing a delay.
Idiot or not?
In reality men usually nip into the space as intended and women regard it as a probable insurance scam. The worst are the ones who look like they're going then change their minds so I have to slow down while they decide whether they're staying or going.
Edit. I suspect this small act of (idiot?) compassion is so unusual that the more timid driver automatically assumes it is a trick.
(Jun 9, 2021 11:28 AM)confused2 Wrote: [ -> ]Hm. Idiot compassion.
I often keep a space in front of my car precisely so people can turn into the flow without causing a delay.
Idiot or not?
In reality men usually nip into the space as intended and women regard it as a probable insurance scam. The worst are the ones who look like they're going then change their minds so I have to slow down while they decide whether they're staying or going.
Edit. I suspect this small act of (idiot?) compassion is so unusual that the more timid driver automatically assumes it is a trick.
That might work. Leave a gap without waving.
On a differnt note...my son has been dabbling in cryptocurrency. He’s doing quite well, but with Biden’s proposal to raise capital gains, he decided to packed up and move to Puerto Rico. He’s in the process of buying a condo on the beach. If you're young and single, might as well.