Why does the driver in a car pool think nothing of honking the horn as early as 6 am for their passenger, waking up neighbors?
No. 1 rule of car pool etiquette: Don’t toot the horn!
For those in a car pool, it’s very inconsiderate to honk. What is the driver thinking when, as early as 5:30 a.m., you toot your car’s horn, never mind that most of the neighborhood is still tucked away in bed, asleep?
If you’re scheduled to be the driver in a car pool, then the coworker you’re picking up KNOWS you’re coming, and they know the approximate time.
They’re most likely relaxing by a window with some coffee and will easily see your vehicle pull up.
Honking is not necessary. And one “little” toot is more than sufficient to awaken people.
What should the driver do?
Wait silently for your passenger. I guarantee it, he or she will be checking the time and at some point will peer out the window and see you waiting.
Then they’ll exit the house and get into your car.
It stands to reason that come that time window of expectation, they will be looking outside for you.
If they’re ready, they are watching for you. If they’re not yet ready, then honking your horn won’t magically make them ready.
For example, if a woman is hell-bent on curling every last section of her hair with a hot iron, she is going to do that, whether you honk like a madman or not.
If the man you’re picking up is changing his baby’s diaper while his wife is catching up on much needed sleep, he is not going to abandon this task just because you tooted the horn.
Suppose the time window is 7:30 to 7:45 a.m., and the car pooler gets there at 7:20 and doesn’t want to be sitting there for 10 or 15 minutes. Here are the solutions:
Just sit there and be patient; listen to the news or music; do some online activities; take a snooze.
Use your cell phone – and call that person and say, “Hey, I’m a little early, just so you know.”
Step out of the car and knock on their door. The exercise is good for you. If it’s 4 degrees outside, use your cell phone.
If possible, plan your car pool pickups better so that you don’t end up getting there too early.
Though traffic can be unpredictable, at least be prepared for a wait in your car – bring a magazine or just pass the time doing some fun googling or catching up on emails.
If your passenger is late, all you can do is wait. I can’t say it enough: Tooting the horn will not make him or her magically pop out the front door.
If you’re getting really edgy, then knock on their door rather than toot your horn!
My Solution after Being Awakened by Car Pooler Honking Horn
I was once getting awakened at 5:30 a.m. It took only several times before I decided that’s it, I’m going to confront this inconsiderate driver.
It was slushy and rainy outside when I burst out my door at 5:30 and ran halfway down the street to catch this individual.
In the driver’s seat was a lazy-looking man; beside him was another who was eating, both waiting for the third unseen person.
I informed the driver that his honking awakened me every morning.
He refused to look at me, while his passenger remained silent.
I found out whom they were waiting for but chose to speak to him later that day; this man was most cooperative and apologetic and told me he’d have a talk with the driver, and that if the driver didn’t cooperate, he’d quit the car pool.
The problem ceased after that.
Though you may think that what I did was dangerous (“the guy could have had a gun”), I don’t go through life pretending that everyone has a pistol.
The driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and his passenger was eating artery-clogging food. We all do things that put our lives at risk. It’s called living.
Sleeping with earplugs is not a solution. Try sleeping with something sticking inside your ears and you’ll know what I mean.
I’ve presented this case very solidly. There is just no legitimate reason why the driver in a car pool should honk their horn in the morning, especially before 7 a.m.
Though it’s not illegal to toot the horn, that’s not the issue. The issue is common courtesy.
A tooting horn can awaken people clear down the street. Why is common consideration so hard to come by?
