righteousness
 

So, normally, whenever I encounter a driver breaking laws and endangering me I let them know with my body language (no I don't flick people off, I gave people "What gives?" shrugs). Apparently this is very effective; I have harmlessly pissed off many motorists who can't stand to (apparently) get shrugs and looks of discontent.
But the other day I was in a foul mood; lots of bad drivers. One hotel SUV pulled into my lane without looking for cars. I whipped around them and smacked their hood really hard. Now I wouldn't do this. I felt I just potentially endangered myself worse off, plus I felt bad about being a jerk. Usually I let motorists be jerks. But I still have to somehow tell a driver where they fudged up. I kept riding up hilly Congress Ave, and cars kept coming from sidestreets, or backup out of parking spots into my lane constantly cutting me off. Then a truck pulled in front of both southbound lanes cutting a vespa off in the left, and me on the right. We each whipped around the truck that just sat there (why not back up into the sidestreet again?) and I slapped this truck too.

I feel odd doing this. I mean I hate aggression on the road but it wears on you and makes even a cyclist aggressive. Do you guys feel justified slapping a car? I don't do any damage and the tactic is to be loud and get their attention, but I probably don't teach them a lesson.
anyway the source of this is righteousness. I feel righteous in that I choose a nondestructive form of transportation.. hmm
what was the point of this thread again? whatever.

I have punched hoods, but only when (a) I felt the driver was ridiculously negligent (not aggressive or belligerent, because those are the MFers who will attack, and in PHX they're likely to be 2nd Amendment supporters) and (b) when there was a clear escape route for me. Usually the driver looks all put-upon, like "Why would you smack my poor widdle car?" This pisses me off even more, so I try to avoid these altercations. De-escalation is the key.

Do you leave flower petals behind you everywhere you ride? Do you like KD Lang?

Can't stand KD Lang, but I am a lesbian trapped in a man's body. Actually I'd just rather ride where I'm going than get ****ing shot.

I can't recall but I think there was a thread with a similar topic many moons ago. I thought of making stickers like the following and then slapping them on the rear of the vehicle of the negligent driver(s).

http://static.flickr.com/56/163256178_9081616e4d_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/51/163256176_a96a4f0306_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/62/163256174_21b6bb4ab0_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/66/163256173_ef02849a95_m.jpg

They won't find out about it until they get home, or someone points it out to them.

Personally I consider the slapping of a car to be the same as throwing down the gauntlet--a prelude or challenge to physical violence. I support your behavior as long as you are perpared for the consequences, and truely believe it the proper course of action for a given scenario.

Maybe in most places slapping a car may invite a violent confrontation, but not everywhere. In NYC, for instance, physical contact with cars is sometimes unavoidable. I pounded my fist on many cabs, but in NYC its not necessarly interpreted as an act of violence, but rather as an act of self preservation. I ended up once having to kick a cab who was cutting me off with one of those typical right turn maneuvers. Anyways, the rear window was open and my leg went right into the cab and we were cruising down the road together yelling at eachother until I got my leg out. (This is why you shouldn't religiously stick to the right in NYC). At any rate, outside of the big city, I'd be afraid to make physical contact with cars or truck, unless absolutely necessary...your likely to piss the wrong person off.

Not if I'm wearing pants

That makes sense. I guess its really different where I live, due to the underlying macho warrior culture that to a certain extent is an influence on behavior and perception.

it's kd lang, not KD Lang.