Gestures

Far be it from me to overrule the Queen of Advice - Dear Abby herself. Still, I vehemently disagree with her suggestion to "Mild Mannered Motorist in Virginia". MMMiV asked for a hand signal to indicate "I'm sorry" to fellow drivers when he makes a mistake behind the wheel.

Abby recommended the classic Peace Sign and a lip-synched "I'm sorry". Unwise, Abby! We all know what what half the Peace Sign signifies. In fact, it is likely the same gesture that the offended driver is making toward MMMiV. His visual perception clouded by rage, he may see only half of your Peace Sign and misinterpret your silent "I'm sorry" as "Up yours". Virginia is among our more macho states in that it allows carrying of concealed weapons. MMMiV should bear this in mind. The offended driver's next "gesture" may be the classic Holster Grab. It seldom ends well.

Abby's readers chimed in with gestures presumably less subject to misinterpretation:

Hands folded in prayer - Unless one is adept at steering one's vehicle with one's knees, this may lead to an even more egregious "mistake behind the wheel".

The American Sign Language symbol for "I'm sorry", a clenched right fist placed over the heart and moved in small circles - For those of us more familiar with the American Sign Language of the Playground, a clenched fist means "Let's fight". This is not the message that MMMiV wants to send.

The unmistakeable Homer Simpson 'D-oh!" forehead slap - The angry person's response to this might very well be "Oh yeah! I'll knock some sense into you!" Again, not the message that MMMiV wants to send.

I would go with the gesture that we all learned when the teacher asked a question on the homework assignment that we didn't do. Keep your eyes down. Don't move and try to fade into the background. Had Abby recommended this, she would have a few more readers tomorrow.