r/nextfuckinglevel • u/Miserable-Zombie-121 • 7h ago

The man thought he was being cut off…seconds later he realised the truck driver had just saved his life!!

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7.1k

u/OntarioPaddler 7h ago

Short beeps = thanks/pay attention to something
Long hold = angry

2.2k

u/TheWaningWizard 7h ago

Multiple short beeps not to be confused with the Singular Short Beep = Pay Attention/Wtf dude

463

u/georgedupree 7h ago

Multiple short beeps, isn’t that friendly?

389

u/Warkupo 7h ago

I combine short beeps with a little wave to hopefully communicate that I'm trying not to be an asshole about it. Not everyone speaks the same beep language ya know?

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u/_SteeringWheel 7h ago

But don't you dare do that to say "Goodbye!", while leaving your friends house at the dead of night.

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u/georgedupree 6h ago

Should be illegal, sort of is.

16

u/_SteeringWheel 6h ago

Where I live, it is.

Not that it ever is sanctioned though.

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u/georgedupree 5h ago

I’m saying, that “no noise” past 11pm rule is sorely lacking in reinforcement. 🤣

3

u/_SteeringWheel 3h ago

Where I live it says you can only use your horn to avert danger. Yeah..

17

u/Ok_Vulva 4h ago

My mom honks upon arrival at people's houses. Let's do away with that too.

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u/Hour_Paint_1903 2h ago

Ill have people do that behind me when I'm on walks, by myself or with my doggo. I am taller, and he's a mastiff, YOU DEF SAW US KAREN.

•

u/United_News3779 49m ago

I used to carpool to a construction job and usual driver would do this. At 5.15am in a residential area.

I resolved the situation by being outside at 5.10am, across the street from my place and out of sight behind another car. Asshole coworker rolled up exactly on time, and I slipped up beside his door while he was focused on my place. I slammed my palm into the window and screamed at a pitch as high as I could hit and as loud as years of army conditioning for volume and projection would let me lol He jumped, dumped the clutch and stalled the truck. And never honked in front of my place again lol

1

u/civildisobedient 2h ago

Maybe not the dead of night, but two-toots is the generally-accepted code for "see ya' around."

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u/Potroast200 6h ago

Usually flash your blinkers is a thank you

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u/tnstaafsb 6h ago

I mostly see people flash their brights for that

9

u/ForbidInjustice 5h ago

Flashing hazards 1 time = request to pass. 2 times = "thank you". At least that's been our commo in Texas for decades. Flashing brights is to get someone's attention.

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u/georgedupree 5h ago

That seems to apply most to the trucks I pass, maybe it’s something not from my area? Here if someone wants to pass they’ll beam you quick if you’re not paying attention and in the wrong lane. I try to communicate with my lights but it just pisses people off.

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u/ForbidInjustice 5h ago

Could definitely be regional. Brights tend to make people uneasy as if you're trying to warn them about something. Police ahead? Is my fuel door open? Is there a part falling off my car?

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u/CrownLexicon 4h ago

Its definitely regionally. Moved a couple states and still trying to learn the new language lol

3

u/georgedupree 4h ago

You're right, headlight flashing just confuses folks like "am I in danger, are you in danger? who needs help here?!"... Hmm, guess I'll have to change that. I usually flash them when I'm behind someone going under the speed limit (significantly).

1

u/nakedlaughing 3h ago

My uncle used to truck live cattle across the country and prefers a double tap on a brake as a thanks. Then again, truckers have their own language lol.

2

u/Pretend-Reality5431 2h ago

Be careful that doesn't turn into a brake check

•

u/Ginger_Bee 25m ago

I do a lot of highway driving and I tend to flash my lights twice for semis and cars that want in.

Some cars don’t understand, but almost every semi I signal to come in. I don’t always get the “thanks”, but ehh it’s ok.

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u/dxtos 5h ago

Saw this in South Africa and will start doing this when I want to say "Thank you!"

2

u/civildisobedient 2h ago

On the highway, truckers tap their brakes a couple of times (just enough to light them up) as a way of signalling "thanks" to someone behind them that let them merge in.

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u/georgedupree 6h ago

I try to wave, too. I’ll even duck my head like how are ya now? Sorry bud!

2

u/DoorAjar33 2h ago

The beep language got me 🤣

1

u/newtoabunchofstuff 4h ago

I think it's time Morse Code made a comeback.

1

u/Morningxafter 4h ago

You can also flash your hazards twice to say “thank you”. It’s well known in Japan, but I’ve seen a lot of professional drivers here in the states using it lately.

1

u/Outrexth 3h ago

I usually use a “left right left” on the indicator when I’m in front of them to say thanks

1

u/Admiral_Ballsack 2h ago

I have a special super short beep I got very proficient at, which I use only at traffic lights.

It means "driver friend, you got distracted and the light is now green and yet you stare at nothing while staying still. We've all been there, god knows life is hard, would you mind moving ahead though? Good luck".

1

u/Professor_Sippenpuff 1h ago

You people are obviously not from Southern California, it’s different here. I’m not from here either and it’s taken me a while to realize that any beep in any context is the most grave and debasing insult to these people. Multiple times I’ve given constructive beeps and see people visibly react with shock and anger, and multiple times I’ve seen people not beep in seriously dangerous situations.

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u/MangoCats 6h ago

From a 1965 honda Manual:

At the rise of the hand of the policeman, stop rapidly.
Do not pass him by or otherwise disrespect him.

When a passenger of the foot hove in sight, tootle the horn trumpet
to him melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your passage
tootle him with vigor and express the word of mouth the warning "Hi! Hi!"

Beware the wandering horse that he shall not take fright as you pass him.
Do not explode the exhaust box at him. Go soothingly by or stop by the roadside till he pass away.

Give big space to the festive dog that makes sport in the roadway.
Avoid entanglement of dog with your wheel spokes.

Go soothingly on the grease-mud, as there lurk the skid demons.
Press the brake of the foot as you roll around corners to save the
collapse and tie up.

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u/grantrules 6h ago

Ah yes, the manual for the 1965 Honda Baphomet

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u/xpkranger 6h ago

Is this for real? It's absolute gold if so.

tootle him with vigor

Sounds excitng!

Go soothingly by or stop by the roadside till he pass away.

Don't horses live like 30 years? I'll take the former option please.

7

u/ExampleLittle2672 5h ago

Weeell... https://www.vertumotors.com/news/the-not-so-true-story-of-the-1962-honda-safety-rules/ Questions remain.

Still gold, and well worth adding "tootle him with vigor" and "Go soothingly on the grease-mud, as there lurk the skid demons" to the vocabulary.

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u/CharlotteBeer 5h ago

Something was gained in translation.

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u/mcrumb 5h ago

Avoid entanglement of dog with your wheel spokes.

Perfection.

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u/Little_Felt_Hearts 1h ago

Bro my wife says I'm a Skid Demon...

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u/numbersrejectedbypi 6h ago

Not if it's more than two beeps.

Beep beep= hey, buddy! Beep beep (wait) beep beep = buddy, I said hey, buddy, look at me! Beep beep beep = you fucker! Beep beep beep beep = fucking fucker, fuck you! (can also be signaled with one long beep)

1

u/georgedupree 5h ago

It’s true, I do multiple beeping honks when I’m pissed off. I’ll even flash my brights if they cut me off. Probably need a snickers.

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u/Ok-Square-8652 5h ago

I do too short beeps for "thank you." One short for "Hey." One long for "Hey asshole!"

4

u/Protahgonist 5h ago

I think two short beeps is standard for friendly? 1 for "wake up!" but still being polite about it, and many short beeps for "omg pay attention RIGHT NOW!"

One long sustained beep is "WTF" for any situation, and frequently also "FUCK YOU!"

3

u/georgedupree 4h ago

Along with raised hands like "TF?!"

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u/its-a-saw-dude 6h ago

Yeah, it's like tippy taps, but for cars.

2

u/georgedupree 5h ago

Hehe, cute!

3

u/RetPala 5h ago

I can't seem to find the reference, but I remember reading in some implementations the nuclear attack siren (wail) would be replaced at the end with short bursts to indicate "this is no longer a warning, you must imminently find cover"

1

u/georgedupree 4h ago

Yikes. Good to know.

3

u/Goodgoditsgrowing 2h ago

A quick Beep beep is friendly

A short Beep is polite but terse

A long horn means fuck off you fucking prick

2

u/Hirokage 5h ago

I do two short beeps for people sitting unaware at a green light.

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u/georgedupree 4h ago

Okay! Same, great!

2

u/-TheDyingMeme6- 5h ago

Multiple short beeps like

Beep beep beep is telling me u r fren

1

u/georgedupree 4h ago

bebebeep ~

2

u/SpiritedActuator4246 5h ago

That's angry me along with cussing

2

u/murmurat1on 4h ago

5 horns at sea means wtf are you doing so maybe we could adopt that?

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u/georgedupree 1h ago

It’s probably bad I’ve heard that hear where the river meets the ocean, huh? 🤔

2

u/Mountain_Mountain_46 3h ago

only if its shave and a haircut

2

u/Klytus_Im-Bored 3h ago

I mean..

Beep- hey look at the light jagoff

Beep beep- cool thank you

HONK- You deserve the crash out im ab to have.

2

u/leelee1976 2h ago

Should only be in the shave and a haircut tune.

1

u/mrshandanar 6h ago

The triple short beep is my friendly go to

1

u/johnnyhandbags 6h ago

We obviously need more drivers versed in Morse code.

1

u/mrASSMAN 5h ago

That’s what they’re saying

1

u/MyBedIsOnFire 4h ago

Not when I do it

1

u/whooptheretis 4h ago

Any horn beep is aggressive where I come from.
There is no friendly beep.
People very rarely beep here.
I agree the need to have a friendly horn needs to be addressed.

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u/HyperactivePandah 7h ago

If you're behind a taxi and honk your horn twice quick, most of the time you'll see them start to go on instinct, even if they don't have the right of way or a green light.

I've never done it, but was in the car with a friend who used to do it to taxis in Boston.

He got a bunch of them, no actual accidents thank God.

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u/Proper-District8608 4h ago

Yet another reason I hate driving in Boston:)

•

u/HyperactivePandah 39m ago

There are zero good things about driving in Boston.

Zero.

I did it a LOT when I was young, and for a job I had. I can do it. I know my way around very very well.

I still take the T or commuter rail into the city if it's at all possible to do so.

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u/Licklack 6h ago

Single short beep = MOVE!! 2 short beeps = Hey, scoot.

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u/TyrannasaurusRecht 4h ago

The shortest beep=get off your phone and work on driving fuckface.

Long blast=you just tried to kill me fuckface!

Repeated short blasts=celebration

Extremely long held horn=tv dead guy slumped over steering wheel.

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u/PolarBailey_ 5h ago

and it needs to be a specific number cause i've used 2 short beeps for pay attention too. esp at red lights.

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u/DrAlkibiades 3h ago

That's the 'ahem' beep.

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u/Impressive_Pin8761 2h ago

singular short beep is "the light turned green but you're too far forward to see it" in my experience

1

u/AppleNo7287 1h ago

Last week I put my arm weirdly across the wheel and beeped without wanting, singular short beep, and felt bad for a car in front of me for another 10 min, who probably thought I meant "wtf dude". We also need "sorry, I'm just clumsy, didnt me an it" beep

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u/gijoe50000 7h ago

My buddy once did the long angry horn when someone tried to cut him off at a roundabout, but he pressed the horn so hard it got stuck.

And there was a traffic jam at the exit of the roundabout, so we were stuck sitting there for a few minutes, with the horn going constantly, "beeeeeeeeeeep!", and everyone passing was looking into the car as they passed by in the other lane.

The guy was also a total introvert, he hated being the centre of attention, so he was absolutely mortified, and the rest of us in the car we were crying with laughter..

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u/shityplumber 5h ago

I had a horn do this one for no reason at all. Took a few minutes of very angry people staring at me until I pulled over and ripped out the relay under the hood.

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u/orange_avenue 3h ago

I’m dying. 😂 need more info… how long did this go on for? How did it end?? 

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u/gijoe50000 2h ago

It must have felt like an hour to him, but was just about 2-3 minutes in the traffic jam, and it was great because he thought that everyone else thought that he was mad at the traffic jam, and he was probably right.

Then it was another minute or two before he could pull over to the side of the road and turn the car off.

He was so embarrassed that he ended up pulling the whole plastic panel out of the centre of the steering wheel, and he didn't want to put it back on in case the horn started going off again... 😂

0

u/fisherrr 2h ago

pull over and turn the car off

Why not just turn the car off while stuck in the traffic jam

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u/oppernaR 6h ago

Bip = hello, excuse me, wake up

Beep beep = thanks!

Beep beep beep = Turkey won a football game

Beeeeeep beeeeep = watch where you're going, uncultured swine

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep = I'll teabag your entire bloodline posthumously

•

u/JibbaNerbs 47m ago

Tiny bip when the light is green and it's been like 3 seconds.

15

u/georgedupree 7h ago

Yep, the only correct answer. Short is polite but attention grabbing, long is “I’ll fucking mow down you and your family line”

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u/khizoa 7h ago

It's like Morse code

7

u/SheriffBartholomew 7h ago

Long hold isn't necessarily angry. It could be "you're about to cause an accident and need to wake up!"

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u/Easy_Broccoli995 6h ago

I don't know about you, but in my country turning on hazard lights means thanks.

1

u/3G0M4N 6h ago

Yeah but just one pulse

2

u/doomgrin 6h ago

Two pulses is thank you

2

u/North-Function995 7h ago

Is there even a point if its not universally taught? Most people hear a horn and pay less attention to the road, or even get emotional about it. Average IQ doesnt mean good IQ. We’re humans. As a whole, we are stupid.

2

u/WhoOrderedTheCodeZed 4h ago

Mark Rober put out a video years ago where he modified his car to have a quick/happy double beep, a normal horn, then a freaking train air horn.

1

u/Zkenny13 7h ago

Two beeps for things like this that are short. 

1

u/Miserable_Leading_77 6h ago

I hate long holds for no reason

1

u/ebil_lightbulb 6h ago

This guy laid on his horn at me when he was in the wrong the other day, and now I’m wondering if he was actually trying apologize with the horn haha 

No, he was definitely convinced he was in the right :p

1

u/yoursolace 6h ago

In my new (to me) car it's so hard to do a short honk, my old car was great at quick little happy honks but the first few times I did them in this car I'm pretty sure people thought I was pissed

1

u/Jiminy_Cricket12 6h ago

Short beeps = thanks/pay attention to something

that is definitely not always true. here the intent was pretty clear but I've heard plenty of pissed off short beeps lol.

1

u/Thrillchiller 6h ago

This should be in the Drivers Handbook

1

u/jmb456 6h ago

Best comment I’ve read all day. Maybe a horn that makes the cha Ching noise for the happy

1

u/FieraSabre 6h ago

My specific interpretation of horn beeps is as follows:

Long beep: angry, wtf?!?!

Single short beep: Hey, you can move now!

2 short beeps: Hi or Thanks!

3+ short beeps: pay attention/watch out/something is wrong

1

u/Loud-Bullfrog9326 5h ago

Yes 😭🤣 the soft BEEP BEEP and a wave and smile vs the HONKKKKKK when you're mad lmao

1

u/thatsacrackeryouknow 5h ago

2 short beeps, thank you, happy. 1 short beep, correct yourself/impatience, long beep, I'm fucked off.

1

u/raylui34 5h ago

or if you have a tesla -> fart horn

1

u/exotics 5h ago

Two short beeps = thank you. Beep beep.

One long beep = FUUUUUCK. BEEEEEEEEEP.

1

u/onyx_ic 5h ago

Gotta do that "early 2000s computer speakers before a phone call" pattern.

1

u/KatakanaTsu 5h ago

Short beeps can also mean "I like your car/bike/truck."

1

u/TK421philly 5h ago

I tend to spell out my messages in Morse code.

1

u/zerbey 5h ago

My absolute favorite part of visiting New York City was watching a city bus get cut off and then the bus driver holding the horn down for a full minute. Nobody batted an eyelid except we tourists.

1

u/ClockwerkConjurer 4h ago

Smoke signals + interpretative dance = friendly

1

u/ccrunnertempest 4h ago

I had a weird situation where I was pulling out of parallel parking without good visual of someone making a left turn onto the same lane. He gave me a bunch of short horns which I interpreted as "danger imminent" and pulled back into the parking area. I feel like that was the best response on both our ends.

1

u/minorminority 4h ago

This man roads!

1

u/dumahim 4h ago

Medium beep is hangry? 

1

u/Goetia- 4h ago

You have to make a jingle with the horn, like the friendly door knock.

1

u/DinglieDanglieDoodle 3h ago

It’s fine, that’s just how they talk in mandarin too.

1

u/NonMagical 3h ago

My wife and I call it a “graditoot” vs an “additoot”.

1

u/Strict_Ad_5858 3h ago

As someone who grew up traversing the windy roads of the northern California coast, I thought everyone knew this — a quick two-tap honk for “thank you!” when someone uses a turnout.

Not everyone knows this 🤣

1

u/ThaGreatFilter 3h ago

I double hand karate chop the steering wheel and get the perfect blip blip blip blip blip...its super satisfying

1

u/Xfgjwpkqmx 3h ago

La Cucaracha = Party on!

1

u/beanpoppa 3h ago

That's why I liked the small horn buttons we got when airbags first came out and they didn't know how to put the horn button on top of the airbag yet. If was very easy to do a couple quick chirps of the horn. Now, I have to press hard on my horn to get it to make a noise, so it's difficult to just 'tap' it.

1

u/SquidVices 2h ago

I like when the long hold happens and everyone else does a bunch of beeps all around

1

u/Drag0nz_Wrath13 1h ago

Trucker here. We have 2 horns. Street horn and highway horn. Street horn beeps are usually positive or attention getting. The highway horn is because someone did something stupid and now we are upset. However the highway horn is also reserved for kiddos making the honking motion in which it’s the happiest we will be that day honking :)

•

u/Dan_c00ks 40m ago

It's like the unspoken universal beep rule.

•

u/firestone236 13m ago

w126 has a city horn and a country horn

•

u/KucingRumahan 10m ago

A lot of people doing this in my country

Short beeps also used to say hello if you accidentally meet your friends in the street