What happened to the courtesy wave?

Have you ever given someone the right of way on the road and he or she does not flash the courtesy wave. To me, that is rude. The courtesy wave is that little hand gesture given to thank others on the road for being a thoughtful driver. I’m left confused to why kindness would not be reciprocated. It’s really not hard to do, I would even accept the peace sign.

I love the courtesy wave. It takes 2.5 seconds to make this pleasant half wave. It has the magic power to ease aggression on a congested freeway. I give it every chance I get even if I’m not the driver hoping that the recipient will “pass it forward”.

Use it liberally during merging, yielding, acknowledging the other driver and especially for any driving faux pas. On the rare occasion when it does get used it restores my faith in the driver.

I guess with one hand on the steering wheel and the other wrapped around a cell phone, it’s difficult to gesture a slight ‘thank you’ wave.