I looked for an apropos existing subject for this, but didn't see any threads where it would hijack a specific subject (such as the currently-running "vandalized" thread)...
The vast majority of time when other drivers on the road seem to recognize or acknowledge the S, it's either positive (thimbs up, smile/wave, etc...) or neutral (taking pics of it, people pointing to it as they talk among themselves...).
So far any negative experiences I've had while driving it simply seemed worthy of chalking up to the fact that there are idiots on the road, and nothing Tesla-specific. Today was the first day I experienced otherwise...
On my morning commute there are approach lanes to the highway where two lanes merge down to one prior too the onramp. I was ahead of a "gentleman" in an F-150 by about 3-4 car lengths. I wasn't going above the flow of traffic speed, and as a matter of fact there was another car about 3-lengths in front of me that I was merging behind.
With only a short distance to go before the lanes finally merged, he gunned it, sped in front, cutting me off with a pretty major swerve in to what (would have been) my space in the now-single lane behind the car in front.
I had not cut him off earlier (we had always been in separate lanes since the previous light). He was not getting any farther ahead, as it was a clover-leaf and there was a string of cars in front of us only doing 35-40 on the ramp anyway. He just didn't want me in front of him.
As he cut it close, I tapped my horn(half-second at most) and when I saw him make eye contact in the mirror I put my hands up on either side of my head in my preferred "What was that??" gesture.
Here's where it was evident that it was specific: He looked right back at me, raised his hand, and rubbed his fingers together in the classic "$money$" gesture. He cut me off because of the perceived cost of what i was driving.
I'm not surprised, people are full of petty prejudices. But it was the first time for me it was so clearly indicated since owning the Tesla...
I will fully admit that, once on the highway, it was demonstrated for him that he wouldn't be able to keep up. I also didn't go out of my way to alter my speed/position when he hoped to pass me to get around a bus...
The vast majority of time when other drivers on the road seem to recognize or acknowledge the S, it's either positive (thimbs up, smile/wave, etc...) or neutral (taking pics of it, people pointing to it as they talk among themselves...).
So far any negative experiences I've had while driving it simply seemed worthy of chalking up to the fact that there are idiots on the road, and nothing Tesla-specific. Today was the first day I experienced otherwise...
On my morning commute there are approach lanes to the highway where two lanes merge down to one prior too the onramp. I was ahead of a "gentleman" in an F-150 by about 3-4 car lengths. I wasn't going above the flow of traffic speed, and as a matter of fact there was another car about 3-lengths in front of me that I was merging behind.
With only a short distance to go before the lanes finally merged, he gunned it, sped in front, cutting me off with a pretty major swerve in to what (would have been) my space in the now-single lane behind the car in front.
I had not cut him off earlier (we had always been in separate lanes since the previous light). He was not getting any farther ahead, as it was a clover-leaf and there was a string of cars in front of us only doing 35-40 on the ramp anyway. He just didn't want me in front of him.
As he cut it close, I tapped my horn(half-second at most) and when I saw him make eye contact in the mirror I put my hands up on either side of my head in my preferred "What was that??" gesture.
Here's where it was evident that it was specific: He looked right back at me, raised his hand, and rubbed his fingers together in the classic "$money$" gesture. He cut me off because of the perceived cost of what i was driving.
I'm not surprised, people are full of petty prejudices. But it was the first time for me it was so clearly indicated since owning the Tesla...
I will fully admit that, once on the highway, it was demonstrated for him that he wouldn't be able to keep up. I also didn't go out of my way to alter my speed/position when he hoped to pass me to get around a bus...