Originally Posted by H23
Jackasses aside...
Sometimes folks from other countries honk pre-emptively in an attempt to diffuse a potential traffic problem before it occurs.
People don't always honk with malice.
I agree. The behavior also differs widely between US cities. Where I grew up, honking means "pull over, I am going to kick your **S!" I have been in other places where people seemed conditioned to honk when the light turns green no matter what. Of course, the type of honk is a form of communication as well.