NEW RULE: tight street in South Tampa? Wait or Wave. (fit in, neighborhood)

[thethinktank]

If you live in South Tampa, you know precisely what I'm about to talk about. The streets in this part of the city were designed in the early 1900s before the advent of the automobile. They're narrow, they flood easily, they can be bumpy and troublesome for today's motor-heavy public. They're so narrow that in some cases, only one car at a time can fit in a street so other cars need to stop, wait patiently for the opposite car to pass, and then they can proceed.

Many South Tampa residents are used to this. When you arrive at a point where only one car can pass, you stop and wait if you're the second car to arrive. It's simple. Make room for the other car to pass and then you can go about your day afterward.

Here's the thing, though. Some locals don't get it. The other car, who stops to allow you to pass, is doing you a neighborly favor. They're extending a courtesy to you. When they stop to allow you to pass by, extend a "thank you" in return with a simple wave. It's like an exchange of currency here in South Tampa. You come to a thin point in a road, someone lets you by, you wave to thank them.

That's the first part of this new rule-- thank the person who was kind enough to wait to allow you to pass by.

The second part of the rule-- when you approach a thin point in a road and there's a car coming from the opposite direction, pull to the side and let them pass first. The goal should be to out-courtesy the other driver. He (or she of course!) who bows to his (or her!) neighbor first wins. It's a nice thing to do, it keeps traffic in South Tampa moving and it creates a neighborly exchange. Think of it as an investment in the social capital of your neighborhood. Seriously.

Social capital - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you're not capable of sharing the road, you might want to consider going back to pre-school. If you're a sharer, I love you, dear neighbor!!

[thethinktank]

oh, and Call me cRazy but i hAve a ZanY feeliNg that I will Probably incite a few negative opinions here, even though it wasn't my intention.

[user8]

Actually I find in my dealings w/ south Tampa that more often than not, the other driver does pull over and yield first, especially in Hyde Park. Try getting that kind of courtesy up north. Won't happen.

Usually the only folks who don't do this are the uber rich bimbo soccer moms in their towering mega SUVs. Just my experience.

[the awesomee]

Originally Posted by user8

Try getting that kind of courtesy up north. Won't happen.

Yea we all know up north sucks, so what.

[Sunnydee]

Originally Posted by user8

Actually I find in my dealings w/ south Tampa that more often than not, the other driver does pull over and yield first, especially in Hyde Park. Try getting that kind of courtesy up north. Won't happen.

Usually the only folks who don't do this are the uber rich bimbo soccer moms in their towering mega SUVs. Just my experience.

Your post made me laugh. Thanks!

[Not_liking_FL]

As much as I complain about drivers in the bay area, south Tampa probably has some of the most courteous. Old Northeast is another area with mostly polite drivers.

[algia]

Isn't there like a whole chapter in the driving manual on "driving courtesy"?

Driving around Florida anywhere gives you a clear idea as to how many ppl READ that chapter!!!

[algia]

Ohh and BTW don't lump all the "up-north" in DC because in PA those ppl were soooooo "curteous" that they made me sit at the same stop sign/light 4 times!!!!!!

There is a time and a place for road courtesy!!!!!

[JSnFla]

i'm looking at some properties in hyde park. is it guaranteed if you live in that general area that you will be woken up every night around 1 or 2am with the sounds of the train and the horn blowing at every stop? can someone please explain the reality of this. I find it hard to believe that this would be an issue in the most affluent part of tampa. anyone?

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

i'm looking at some properties in hyde park. is it guaranteed if you live in that general area that you will be woken up every night around 1 or 2am with the sounds of the train and the horn blowing at every stop? can someone please explain the reality of this. I find it hard to believe that this would be an issue in the most affluent part of tampa. anyone?

I live in Hyde Park and this hasn't happened to me once.