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W

hen I learned to drive I was taught that you only use the horn to alert someone to your presence. I was trying to explain this to my kids recently while we were snarled in traffic. They couldn’t believe the horn is actually a tool to facilitate road safety rather than for expressing anger frustration impatience recognition or all of the above.

I am very British in my use of the horn as in I barely use it because I don’t like to be impolite or draw attention to myself. On the rare occasion I do use it I just brush it barely making a sound. A proper British horn wouldn’t actually honk it would broadcast the word “sorry.” Israelis are more liberal with their horns. If their horns could speak they’d say in a brash guttural tone “Nu!” And the sharp blasts of American horns all seem to say “Move already can’t you see I’m in a rush?!”

Sometimes I do use the horn in the correct circumstances and that makes me feel quite pleased with myself but only because it’s rare. More often I hope other drivers realize I’m there without my having to harshly remind them.