Dead or Alive tradition?
Miserable Old Bastard
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,168
Likes: 223
From: Los Angeles
I remember the good ole days when p-car drivers routinely signaled each other, but now it seems very rare. I think its time to update the salute to meet modern driving and cultural conditions. I suggest henceforth we use the middle finger salute. After all, often when I wave at another p-car and I know they saw me but don't respond, I usually feel like giving the finger. All of us true afficionados would instantly recognize the middle finger coming from another p-car as a friendly, insider gesture. For those who don't care, at least the gesture wouldn't be wasted. And any non-p-car driver who sees the salute probably deserved it anyway.
Shall we start a poll?
Shall we start a poll?
Last edited by jcnesq; Mar 29, 2006 at 09:55 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Mountains of western North Carolina, USA
This is my 2nd Porsche (Cab) in 40 years! Hell, I'm so damn happy with this car that I wave at: other Porsches ( have seen exactly TWO since November), motorcycles, Corvettes, other convertibles, and ANY vehicle with a pretty woman in it.
Newbies Hospitality Director
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18,084
Likes: 43
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Originally Posted by jcnesq
I remember the good ole days when p-car drivers routinely signaled each other, but now it seems very rare. I think its time to update the salute to meet modern driving and cultural conditions. I suggest henceforth we use the middle finger salute. After all, often when I wave at another p-car and I know they saw me but don't respond, I usually feel like giving the finger. All of us true afficionados would instantly recognize the middle finger coming from another p-car as a friendly, insider gesture. For those who don't care, at least the gesture wouldn't be wasted. And any non-p-car driver who sees the salute probably desired it anyway.
Shall we start a poll?
Shall we start a poll?
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,274
Likes: 1
From: in a happy place
Originally Posted by icon
who are you kidding?
that scrawny thing wouldnt stand a chance against adrianna!
that scrawny thing wouldnt stand a chance against adrianna!
I'll just say that a real beauty contest involves the intangibles too. (OK, not so intangible, but you get the idea. An Enzo with a Fiat engine ain't so cool for the owner)
All in all, a tough call...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: New York
Originally Posted by cvazquez
It seems that our P-car tradition of Headlight double flash/blink is dead
Alan
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: Santa Monica Mountains
Yah, it's pretty rare that fellow p-car drivers show a friendly sign of comraderie. Mini drivers are like a cult. No matter where I was, they always gave some sign of "Let's Motor". I've given up flashing p-cars. :-/
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,022
Likes: 13
From: Back in the OC
I think the tradition might be dying because of social changes. People are not as friendly as they used to be. People are more wary of others and suspicious of others' motives when a simple friendly gesture is extended their way. This prevailing cynicism is not entirely an aftermath of Sept. 11. The rising crime rate might have something to do with it.
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence
Verdad Gallardo
Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First
Joe Kucinski
Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!
Michael S. Palmer
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build
Verdad Gallardo
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile
Joe Kucinski
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap
Joe Kucinski
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Verdad Gallardo
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Verdad Gallardo
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Verdad Gallardo
Race Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,861
Likes: 91
Originally Posted by OCBen
The rising crime rate might have something to do with it.
Where do you get your data?
For whatever reason...I have tried to give a nod or wave around town and I think I get a response <20% of the time. I think I'll try the middle finger salute next time.
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,019
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by OCBen
.....
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 703
Likes: 252
From: Scottsdale
Originally Posted by OCBen
I think the tradition might be dying because of social changes. People are not as friendly as they used to be. People are more wary of others and suspicious of others' motives when a simple friendly gesture is extended their way. This prevailing cynicism is not entirely an aftermath of Sept. 11. The rising crime rate might have something to do with it.
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Don't know if you guys remember this, but a few years ago at least one motorist was killed because he flashed his lights at the oncoming car that didn't have its lights on at dark. Turns out it was a gang initiation rite to test the meddle and loyalty of new recruits. The first car that flashed them while they cruised with their lights off....gets it. Talk about a chilling effect on the rest of us law abiding citizens!
There's also the ignorance factor and the snob factor too.
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,019
Likes: 1
Here's a discussion of the "lights out" legend at snopes.com:
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,745
Likes: 301
From: Santa Barbara, CA
We're sure lose a lot of local Porsche fans that way!
I think the makeup of the stereotypical Porsche driver of today has changed dramatically. Yes, Porsches have always been expensive, but unfortunately, it has moved or evolved from being an enthusiast's car to a status symbol for many. As a result, there are a bunch of drivers today who could care less that it's a well engineered piece of machinery and more concerned with driving the latest or 'wearing' the latest bling. Thus, the old days of flashing an oncoming Porsche has begun to fade from the norm. Also, at least for me, I find that it has been increasingly difficult to make out the distinctive form of a Porsche from headon today. With pretty much ALL cars taking on the look of a well used bar of soap it is incresingly difficult to NOT mistake a non-Porsche with a Porsche.
Dan
I think the makeup of the stereotypical Porsche driver of today has changed dramatically. Yes, Porsches have always been expensive, but unfortunately, it has moved or evolved from being an enthusiast's car to a status symbol for many. As a result, there are a bunch of drivers today who could care less that it's a well engineered piece of machinery and more concerned with driving the latest or 'wearing' the latest bling. Thus, the old days of flashing an oncoming Porsche has begun to fade from the norm. Also, at least for me, I find that it has been increasingly difficult to make out the distinctive form of a Porsche from headon today. With pretty much ALL cars taking on the look of a well used bar of soap it is incresingly difficult to NOT mistake a non-Porsche with a Porsche.
Dan
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,022
Likes: 13
From: Back in the OC
Originally Posted by wross996tt
Where do you get your data?
Originally Posted by boolala
I think that story has been debunked as an urban legend. I remember hearing about it 20 years ago.
EDIT: I see where Snopes is citing that this was seen in print form 13 yrs ago, and on the internet 9 yrs ago. Don't know if I what I heard through the news was a copycat case. But I remember hearing about it in the news. Oh well.
