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That overtaking sequence at 8:20! The narrator in a gentle documentary voice: > Just keep on my lane, check my mirror; nothing behind me that wants to overtak

That overtaking sequence at 8:20! The narrator in a gentle documentary voice: > Just keep on my lane, check my mirror; nothing behind me that wants to overtake. > And now I shall start to close up, and first of all signal him with my headlights. > And again. > It hasn't closed that I'm here so I shall sound the horn. [HONK] > And again. [IMPATIENT HONKING] > Yes; he's pulling in, and I can go past. > […] giving me the V-sign. I can't think why he should think that I'm interested in his politics. (The V-sign being the conventional British hand sign for 'Oi, sod off you twat!', or something along those lines.)

petercooper 3y ago
I quite like the French autoroute approach to this situation. They sit in the outside lane with their indicator on to indicate they want to go around you but can't. Somewhat less aggressive but makes the point.
anonymousiam 3y ago
The British "V-sign" is equivalent to the US "middle finger." The only difference is the former represents open legs, while the latter represents the male member. If the "V-sign" is given with the palm forward, then it could be either of the (antiquated) "peace" or "victory" signs, but if it is given with the back of the hand forward, it's the "legs open" version.
- lifeisstillgood 3y ago
  That's the first time I ever heard that explanation (open legs) -the most common is it is a sign of defiance from English archers to French who it was said would cut off the two right fingers from any captured archers. That is pretty rigorously debunked but is still popular I think ultimately it's an arbitrary rude gesture that became popular and stuck. As my seven year old is delighted to learn, it's rude enough to shock but nowhere near as rude as a middle finger.
  - anonymousiam 3y ago
    Interesting. I've heard the archers version too, but what I related above was taught to me by an acquaintance from Birmingham nearly 50 years ago. (Obviously I'm a yank and it's certainly possible that I was misinformed.)

petercooper 3y ago

I quite like the French autoroute approach to this situation. They sit in the outside lane with their indicator on to indicate they want to go around you but can't. Somewhat less aggressive but makes the point.

anonymousiam 3y ago

The British "V-sign" is equivalent to the US "middle finger." The only difference is the former represents open legs, while the latter represents the male member. If the "V-sign" is given with the palm forward, then it could be either of the (antiquated) "peace" or "victory" signs, but if it is given with the back of the hand forward, it's the "legs open" version.

lifeisstillgood 3y ago
That's the first time I ever heard that explanation (open legs) -the most common is it is a sign of defiance from English archers to French who it was said would cut off the two right fingers from any captured archers. That is pretty rigorously debunked but is still popular I think ultimately it's an arbitrary rude gesture that became popular and stuck. As my seven year old is delighted to learn, it's rude enough to shock but nowhere near as rude as a middle finger.
- anonymousiam 3y ago
  Interesting. I've heard the archers version too, but what I related above was taught to me by an acquaintance from Birmingham nearly 50 years ago. (Obviously I'm a yank and it's certainly possible that I was misinformed.)