Bad Manners

So we're heading to the beach, driving a block from the coast. A red light turns green, a car backs out. We slow down, chillin. The car sort of sits there, chillin. It turns its wheels a little, stops. It's blocking both lanes of traffic. Oncoming traffic approaches and slows, so Chris lightly touches the horn.

This…THIS…was our error. All eyes from the stopped car swivel to stare at us. A guy leans his head out, totally incredulous, and vaguely mouths something—not angrily, just completely shocked. It's a reaction I'd expect if we had…I don't know…mooned his grandma or some other unexpected, effrontery behavior.

CLEARLY we had misstepped.

In Driver's Ed In A Box, I learned honking lightly says, "Hello! Here I am!" And when someone honks at me it's usually because I'm lost and turning around, or checking directions, so I wave and smile sheepishly and move it outta there.

That is not the case here in Hawaii. Honking is TOTALLY rude. Like middle finger rude, or else signaling an emergency like GET OUT OF MY WAY I'M ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL.

So now when I hear honking I'm super offended. It's a good thing no one ever honks at the kids and me while we're slowly taking up the entire lane of traffic. No but really, nobody does. Score another one, Hawaii.